Six years ago the State Water Resources Control Board approved an order establishing new nitrogen monitoring and reporting requirements in the Central Valley. Known as the East San Joaquin Order, the regulation is precedential, meaning all nine of California’s regional boards have had to adopt the rules into their basin plans as well.
The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board went further, setting a cap on fertilizer use, which triggered the state water board to review and reject the additions. Winegrape growers in the North Coast, meanwhile, argued their new rules would treat farms like polluters and criminals.
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The water board for San Diego County is the latest to draft a regulation incorporating the nitrogen requirements. In a recent hearing, growers stressed to the board that local agriculture is different from its Central Valley counterparts and should not be held to the same standards.
The complexity of the order and the many nuances in the region’s farming practices compelled the board to extend the comment period for the proposal. Stakeholders have until May 28 to add their input.
