One or more Central Valley Regional Water Quality Board members may attend.

CV-SALTS Executive Committee MeetingThursday, May 23, 2019 – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Sunset Maple Room

Sacramento Regional Sanitation District 10060 Goethe Rd, Sacramento 95827

Teleconference (712) 770-5505 Code: 279295# Go-To-Meeting Link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/303016029

Posted 05-14-19 – Revised 05-22-19

1) Welcome and Introductions – Chair – (15 mins)a) Committee Roll Call and Membership Rosterb) Review and Approve April 25, 2019 Meeting Notes

2) Basin Plan Amendments – State Board Consideration Schedule – Patrick Pulupa, Anne Littlejohn (30mins.) − Update on briefing schedule and State Board Hearing− Program Implementation Planning

3) State Board Presentation Outline – Tess Dunham (30 mins.)

4) Update on Management Zones – Parry Klassen, Charlotte Gallock (30 mins.)- Overview and Status of Project Activities- Upcoming Steering Committee Meetings

Turlock MZ: June 12, 1:30-4:00, Turlock Irrigation District Kings River East GSA/AID Area MZ: June 13, 1:00-3:00, Dinuba Parks & Recreation Multi-Purpose

Room

5) P&O Study Work Plan Update and Revisions – Tom Grovhoug (45 mins.)- Establishment of Appropriate Numeric Salt Management Targets

6) PEOC Update – Nicole Bell (10 mins.)- Status of Ongoing Outreach Activities- Update on Outreach Matrix

o Outreach Tracking <- Link Only- CV-SALTS General Outreach Presentation

o Link to PowerPoint Version- Draft P&O Study Dedesignation Fact Sheet

o Review and Approve – “Managing Salts Collaboratively in the Central Valley”

7) Review Meeting Schedule/Location – (10 mins)− Policy Meeting: June 20, 2019, 9:00 – 3:00 @ Regional San− No Executive Committee Meeting Scheduled for July− Policy Meeting: August 15, 2019, 9:00 – 3:00 @ Regional San

CV-SALTS meetings are held in compliance with the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act set forth in Government Code sections 11120-11132 (§11121(d). The public is entitled to have access to the records of the body which are posted at http://www.cvsalinity.org

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CV-SALTS Committee Rosters

Voters Category/Stakeholder Group Name 13-Apr 3-May 24-May 16-Aug 20-Sep 18-Oct 15-Nov 10-Jan 21-Feb 28-Mar 25-Apr 23-May

1 Central Valley Water Board Patrick Pulupa ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Alt Central Valley Water Board Anne Littlejohn ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔2 State Water Resources Control Bd. Darrin Polhemus ✔ ✔ ✔3 Department of Water Resources Jose Faria

Alt Department of Water Resources4 US Bureau of Reclamation Jobaid Kabir ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔5 Environmental Justice 6 Environmental Water Quality TBD

CV Salinity Coalition1 So. San Joaquin WQC Nicole Bell ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 2 City of Stockton Deedee Antypas ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔3 California Cotton Growers Chris McGlothlin ✔4 City of Fresno Rosa Lau-Staggs ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔5 CA Leaque of Food Processors Trudi Hughes

Alt CA Leaque of Food Processors Rob Neenan ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔6 NCWA/SVWQC Bruce Houdesheldt ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔7 City of Tracy Stephanie Hiestand ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Alt City of Tracy Dale Klever ✔ ✔ ✔8 Sacramento Regional CSD Rebecca Franklin ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Alt Sacramento Regional CSD Sam Safi ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔9 San Joaquin Tributaries Authority Dennis Westcot

10 Valley Water Management Melissa Thorme ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Alt Valley Water Management Jason Meadors ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔11 California Rice Commission Tim Johnson ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔12 City of Davis Josie Tellers ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔13 Tulare Lake Drainage District Mike Nordstrom ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔14 Western Plant Health Assoc. Renee Pinel15 City of Vacaville Mindy Boele ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Alt City of Vacaville Justen Cole ✔ ✔16 Dairy Cares J.P. Cativiela ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Alt Dairy Cares ✔17 Westlands Water District Debra Dunn ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Alt Westlands Water District Kit Campbell

Comm. Chairs/Co-chairs 1 Chair Executive Committee Parry Klassen, ESJWQC ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔2 Vice Chair Executive Committee Debbie Webster CVCWA ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Technical Advisory Committee Roger Reynolds, S Engr.Technical Advisory Committee Nigel Quinn, LBL

4 Public Education and Outreach Nicole Bell5 Economic and Social Cost Committee David Cory, SJVDA ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔6 Lower San Joaquin River Committee Karna Harrigfeld, SEWD ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

CV-SALTS Executive Committee Meetings - 2018-2019Executive Committee Membership

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CV-SALTS Committee Rosters

Last First Organization 13-Apr 3-May 24-May 16-Aug 20-Sep 18-Oct 15-Nov 10-Jan 21-Feb 28-Mar 25-Apr 23-May

Amico Paul Carollo Engineers ✔Archibald Elaine CUWAAu Yeung Cindy CVRWQCBAshby Karen LWA ✔Baptiste Anne Diepenbrock Elkin Gleason ✔Barclay Diane SWRCBBrown Michelle RBIBryant Mike RBICarlo Penny Carollo EngineersCady Mark CDFA ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Callman Elissa City of Sac/SRSWPP ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Claiborne Mike Leadership Counsel ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Clary Jennifer CWA ✔Cory Wesley SJVDA ✔ ✔Dickey John PlantierraDoduc Tam SWRCBDunham Tess Somach Simmons ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Flaherty Ryan Sustainable Conservation ✔Gallock Charlotte KRWQC ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Garcia Rick CRC ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Gonzalez Armando Occidental Oil & Gas ✔ ✔Gleason Nicole Diepenbrock Elkin GleasonGore Bob Gualco Group ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Grovhoug Tom LWA ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Gudel Casey LANDIQ ✔ ✔ ✔Hatton Scott CVRWQCB ✔Howard Meredith CVRWQCB ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Johnson Michael MLJ Environmental ✔Kihara Annalisa SWRCBKimmelshue Joel LANDIQKotin Adam Wine Institute ✔ ✔ ✔Krachey Julie ApexKretsinger Grabert Vicki LSCE ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Kubiak Rachel Western Plant Health Assoc.

ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS:

Participant Names

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Last First Organization 13-Apr 3-May 24-May 16-Aug 20-Sep 18-Oct 15-Nov 10-Jan 21-Feb 28-Mar 25-Apr 23-May

Laputz Adam CVRWQCB ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Larson Bobbi CASA ✔ ✔LeClaire Joe LeClaire & Associates ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Liebersbach Debbie Turlock Irrig DistLiu Yuan CCWDLongley Karl CVRWQCB ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Lovley Tim MacPherson Oil ✔Marshall Jim CVRWQCB ✔McConnell Sue CVRWQCB ✔Meeks Glenn CVRWQCB ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Mendes Justin Tulare Lake Basin WSD ✔ ✔ ✔Meyerhoff Richard GEI Consultants ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Moore Tim Risk-Sciences ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Ores Debi CWC ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Peschel Paul KRCD Plachta Walt CVRWQCB ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Pritchett Gregory ChevronPitcher Jennifer West. States PetroleumReedy Chris VWM ✔ ✔Rempel Jenny CWCRivera Willie CIPA ✔ ✔ ✔Rodgers Clay CVRWQCB ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Rutherford Sara Provost & Pritchard ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Savage Chris GalloSeyfried Scott SWRCB ✔Seaton Phoebe LCJASilva Megan AeraStarr Bonnie Starr Consulting ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Thomas Bill KRCD ✔Tillman Stephanie LANDIQ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Tristao Dennis J.G. Boswell ✔ ✔ ✔Vanden Heuvel Geoff Dairy Cares ✔Trouchon Mike LWA ✔ ✔ ✔Wackman Mike SJ County/Delta Water ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔Waldron Jim Valley Water MgmtWest Doug CDFA ✔Wichert Casey ✔Zimmerman Christine IOPA ✔ ✔ ✔

ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS:

Participant Names CV-SALTS Executive Committee Meetings -2018-2019

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CV-SALTS Executive Committee Meeting - Summary Action Notes For April 25, 2019 – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Attendees are listed on the Membership Roster

DISCUSSION ITEMS

1) Welcome and Introductions a) Executive Committee Chair, Parry Klassen, brought the meeting to order, and roll call was completed. b) Bob Gore moved, and David Cory seconded, and by general acclamation the March 28 2019, Meeting

Action Notes were approved.

2) Basin Plan Amendments – State Board Consideration Schedule Patrick Pulupa provided an update on the CV-SALTS Amendment. Still waiting on confirmation from

the State Board for a calendar date for CV-SALTS Amendment. There will be two rounds of briefings for Board members, with the first round scheduled for the week of April 29th. The briefings are expected to be completed mid-May.

3) Update on Management Zones Richard Meyerhoff and Vicki Kretsinger provided an update on the Management Zone Pilot projects for

Turlock and Kings River. • Both projects are scheduled to meet the second week of June, (Turlock 6/12, AID/Kings 6/13).

There are not meetings scheduled for May, both pilot projects are writing drafts of their Early Action Plans to be reviewed at their June meetings.

4) Program Implementation Planning Scott Hatton provided an overview of the Non-15 WDR Program Implementation. The overview

outlined the following in the planned implementation for the 1400 facilities in the program: Permit Writing Staff Resources, Notices to Comply, Individual and General Order Updates, and Anticipated Challenges. Some of the feedback from the committee:

• Consider scheduling a specific targeted briefing for consultants that work in this sector to bring them up to date on the CV-SALTS process and implementation as it relates to the Non-15 WDR Program.

• The Management Zone Pilot projects might be a good opportunity for the Regional Board to internally pilot how the process for implementing a management zone across multidisciplinary areas in the Region would best be accomplished.

5) P&O Study Work Plan Richard Meyerhoff provided an overview of the current version of the P&O Work Plan. Committee

members were asked to provide comments/suggestions no later than Friday, May 3rd. Some suggestions from the committee:

• Section 2.2.4 - Clarify how the individual sections in the plan fit together with the broader overarching plan.

• Ensure there is a clear understanding built into the development of the P&O Study and Work Plan that some of the physical projects, (e.g. brine line), present a cost that cannot be born on a Regional basis and are dependent upon being able to secure some form of outside funding.

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6) PEOC Update Nicole Bell provided an update on Outreach activities:

− The general CV-SALTS PowerPoint presentation is being finalized. This presentation is intended as an outreach tool that can be used as a basic introduction to CV-SALTS for any audience.

− A new fact sheet for the P&O Study is in development. The focus of this fact sheet is the importance of P&O participation by dischargers in dedesignated areas.

7) Review Next Meetings - Schedule/Location Policy Meeting: May 23, 2019, 9:00 – 3:00 @ Regional San Policy Meeting: June 20, 2019, 9:00 – 3:00 @ Regional San

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CVSALTS P&O Study workplan (DRAFT)

Establishment of Appropriate Numeric Salt Management Targets

Targets to Protect AGR use

Introduction

As part of the P&O study, the Contractor shall develop numeric targets to protect the agricultural supply (AGR) beneficial use in the surface and groundwaters of the Central Valley region. In performing this task, the Contractor will work with agricultural stakeholders in different areas of the region to address the balance between setting targets that protect sensitive crops and setting targets that compromise the ability to comply with limitations on the discharge of agricultural return flows. The Contractor will also work with agricultural stakeholders to establish numeric targets that will be applied during extended dry periods when special salt management and irrigation practices are needed to maintain agricultural irrigation water supplies.

CVSALTS has developed a fundamental approach to the development of AGR numeric targets in surface waters that is documented in Larry Walker Associates (2014) and PlanTierra (2014). This methodology was used in the development of water quality objectives for Electrical Conductivity (EC) in the Lower San Joaquin River which were adopted in a basin plan amendment approved by the Central Valley Water Board in June, 2017. The approach started with the development of baseline information regarding (a) existing cropping patterns in the study area and (b) agricultural water supply information. That information was used to identify important salt sensitive crops and to assign numeric salinity targets to those water bodies used as irrigation supply to those crops. The salinity targets were developed with available modeling tools that took into account the crop, cropping pattern, root-zone hydrology (i.e. balance among rainfall, irrigation, crop consumptive use, and leaching fraction), and salinity of irrigation supply, and which produced soil salinity and crop yield impact outputs. That information was combined with irrigator stakeholder input to select AGR numeric targets, which were then adopted as water quality objectives.

The Contractor shall use the above described methods in several selected study areas that are chosen, with input from CVSALTS stakeholders, to provide a proof of concept (archetype) and representative information that will be used in a process to establish AGR target values for surface waters and groundwater in the Central Valley region. Using the information from the archetype studies, the Contractor will develop and apply a process/method for determining AGR target values for normal and drought/extended dry period conditions for the Central Valley to protect salt sensitive crops. At the option of the CVSALTS Executive Committee, the Contractor may be asked to provide services to support adoption of the AGR targets by the Central Valley Water Board in a Basin Plan amendment.

Tasks

The Contractor shall perform the following tasks:

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Task 1 – Identify candidate archetype study areas in coordination with CVSALTS stakeholders using best available information on existing agricultural land use (cropping patterns) in the Central Valley region. Coordinate with CVSALTS and local stakeholders in the selection of archetype areas to be studied in detail.

Task 2 – Using best available cropping information, rank crop acreage and determine common salt sensitive crops in selected study areas.

Task 3 – Identify irrigation supply sources (surface waters and groundwater) to common salt sensitive crops in study areas determined in Task 2. Characterize and, to the extent possible, quantify salinity of agricultural supply waters, during normal and dry years.

Task 4 – Use modeling tools to determine relationships between irrigation supply salinity and crop yields for salt sensitive crops.

Task 5 – In coordination with local irrigators, using information from Tasks 2, 3 and 4, develop a range of target EC values for (a) normal water years and (b) drought/extended dry period conditions. This step shall include consideration of the existing quality of supply waters (from Task 3). Select target salinity values for (a) normal and (b) drought/extended dry years for the study areas. Target values for the two conditions need not be identical.

Task 6 – In coordination with CVSALTS stakeholders, develop a process using available cropping and water quality information and information and methodologies derived in the archetype studies to establish target salinity values for appropriate regional areas within the remainder of the Central Valley region to protect the AGR beneficial use of water. Use the above process, developed with input from the CVSALTS Executive Committee and stakeholders, to establish regional salinity targets throughout the Central Valley for normal and drought/extended dry period conditions.

Task 7 – Develop and describe a process which allows for site-specific refinement of regional salinity targets based on consideration of more refined regional data analysis, modeling outputs and enhanced stakeholder engagement.

Task 8 (optional) - Provide services to support adoption of the AGR targets by the Central Valley Water Board in a Basin Plan amendment, including development of technical information for the staff report prepared by Water Board staff, including CEQA, economic and anti-degradation analyses.

Deliverables

The Contractor shall provide the following deliverables:

• Technical memorandum identifying candidate study areas for archetype analysis. • Technical report for each archetype area describing the methods, results and conclusions of the

analysis performed to determine target salinity values. • Technical report describing process, results and conclusions of analysis to set regional salinity

targets protective of AGR use in the remainder of the Central Valley region. • Technical memorandum describing process for site-specific refinement of regional salinity

targets.

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• [Optional, at request of CVSALTS Executive Committee] – Technical report providing technical information to support the staff report for a Basin Plan amendment, including CEQA, economic and anti-degradation analyses.

References

1. Larry Walker Associates, Inc. 2014. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technical Services, Task 5.1 and 5.2 – Develop Map Layers and Identify Crop Sensitivity Zones. Prepared by PlanTierra as member of LWA Team for submittal to San Joaquin Valley Drainage Authority. Prepared for Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long Term Sustainability (CVSALTS). April.

2. PlanTierra. 2014. Development of a Basin Plan Amendment for Salt and Boron in Lower San Joaquin River (LSJR) – Task 1: Finalize Draft Agricultural Supply (AGR) EC Objectives. Prepared as a technical memorandum for Larry Walker Associates Team. Submitted to Lower San Joaquin River Committee. June.

3. Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. 2016. Revisions to the 2010 Salt Tolerance of Crops in the Lower San Joaquin River (Merced to Stanislaus River Reaches) and 2016 Addendum. Final Report. April.

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5/22/2019

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Nitrate and Salt Permitting Improvements

Coming for the Central Valley

Prepared by the Central Valley Salinity Coalition 2019

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1

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Nitrates and Salts threaten the long-term health of the people and economy in the Central Valley

The Challenge

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There is a Nitrate Problem in the Central Valley

Nitrate Contamination in Groundwater Many small communities rely on groundwater for drinking

water.

Some of these communities can’t safely use groundwater for drinking water because nitrate levels present a potential for human health impacts

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3

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There is a Salt Problem in the Central Valley

250,000 acres taken out of production

1.5 million acres have been declared salinity impaired

Potential direct annual costs up to $1.5 billion by 2030

Current management activities address 15% of the annual salt load

Long-term solutions are needed to address the remaining 85%

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Salt Accumulations in the Central Valley

Existing Regulations for Nitrates and Salts Fall Short

Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board regulates Nitrate and Salt discharges

Compliance with current regulations is difficult and, in some areas, even impossible.

New, updated, flexible regulations are needed Address natural diversities (climatic, hydrologic, geologic)

Protect water quality

Maintain economic activities

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A Valley-wide effort to address salts and nitrate

CV-SALTS

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What is CV-SALTS?

Collective effort begun in 2006 Agriculture, city, and industry dischargers Community and environmental interests Regulators

To support a strong Central Valley economy while ensuring safe drinking water supplies Existing regulations were, for many, not effective or impossible to

comply with Develop new regulatory approaches for nitrate and salt

Central Valley Salinity Coalition (CVSC) formed to fund technical and scientific studies.

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Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability

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CV-SALTS Goals

1. Provide Safe Drinking Water Supplies Develop short-term and long-term solutions

2. Reduce Nitrate and Salt Impacts to Water Supplies Develop short-term and long-term solutions

3. Restore Groundwater Quality Where reasonable and feasible

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The CV‐SALTS Process 

2006 to 2017 Scientific and technical studies undertaken

New regulatory approaches developed for Nitrates & Salts

2017 and 2018 Salt and Nitrate Management Plan (SNMP) proposes

new regulatory approaches

Basin Plan Amendment developed to include new regulatory approaches

Central Valley Regional Water Control Board adopts Basin Plan Amendment with new Nitrate Control Program and new Salt Control Program

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State Water Board Adoption Anticipated in 2019

2019Basin Plan Amendment to be adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board, estimated June

Office of Administrative Law to approve the Basin Plan Amendment, estimated September Begin implementing new groundwater actions for nitrate and salt

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve surface water provisions of Basin Plan Amendment, estimated November Full implementation of Salt Control Plan

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New approaches to provide safe drinking water and manage nitrates

Nitrate Control Program

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Nitrates in the Groundwater

Nitrate problems result from 150 years of prosperous human activity in the Central Valley

These activities and sources include: Agriculture – irrigation, fertilizer use, manure

Industry – manufacturing and processing facility wastewater

Municipalities – wastewater treatment effluent, fertilizer use

Rural Residents – leaking septic tanks, fertilizer use, and landfills

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Add Industrial or Municipal image

Nitrates in the Groundwater

High levels of nitrates in groundwater can result in negative health effects for people who drink the water

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Where will Implementation of New Nitrate Control Plan Begin?

Priority 1 Area (Red)

Notice to  Comply within one year of Basin Plan amendmentsbecoming effective

Priority 2 Area (Orange)

Notice to Comply within 2‐4 years of Basin Plan amendments becoming effective

Remaining Areas (Green)

Implementation to be phased in at a later date

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Priority 1 Groundwater Basins

Start with Priority 1 Basins

DWR No. Name

5‐22.11 Kaweah

5‐22.03 Turlock

5‐22.05 Chowchilla

5‐22.13 Tule

5‐22.02 Modesto

5‐22.08 Kings

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Priority 1 Example:Turlock Groundwater Basin

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Red areas are >10.0 mg/L as nitrogen

Safe water standard: <10mg/L as nitrogen

Ambient Nitrate Concentration in the Upper ZoneTurlock Subbasin Management Zone

Disadvantaged Communities Located in Priority Basins

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Goal 1:Provide safe drinking water in small, often disadvantaged communities

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New Nitrate Control Program

More Flexible

Locally Focused

Two Options for Compliance1. Comply with new requirements through

individual permit action, including providing safe drinking water.

2. Form a Management Zone with other dischargers

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CG1TD1

Option 2: New Management Zone Approach For Nitrates

Exception from nitrate standard

Must assure safe drinking water first

Shared responsibility for implementation

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Slide 19

CG1 Can we say something more descriptive than "existing traditional permitting" like "site-specific" or "single-permittee"?Charles Gardiner, 4/16/2019

TD1 Made suggested changeTess Dunham, 5/6/2019

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Management Zone Overview

Locally led, Regional Board approved Cooperative effort among dischargers, local government, and

communities

Enforced through Discharge permit provisions

Specified deliverables & timeline from Notice to Comply Preliminary Management Zone Proposal and Early Action Plan

(9 months)

Final Management Zone Proposal (6 months)

Management Zone Implementation Plan (6 months)

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TD2

Next Steps for Management Zone Formation

If you are in Priority 1 Areas, it’s time to get started:

Identify and convene potential leaders

Discuss possible MZ boundaries

Review template materials developed by the pilots (available August 2019)

Reach out to local government and disadvantaged community support organizations

If you are in Priority 2 Areas

Extra 2 to 4 years to comply

If you don’t want to participate in a Management Zone….see Option 1

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Slide 21

TD2 Deleted review step. We either need to apply to all three, or delete. I suggest deleting and we can clarify if asked.Tess Dunham, 5/6/2019

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Option 1: Individual Nitrate Permitting

Assess nitrate impacts to groundwater in shallow groundwater

Categorize impact of discharge over 20-year planning horizon

Prepare Early Action Plan, if applicable

Propose Alternative Compliance Project if Category 4 or 5 discharge

Submit documentation to the Central Valley Water Board for evaluation and approval

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Collaborative Approach for Nitrates Compliance

Management Zones

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What is a Management Zone?

Defined area – a discrete regulatory compliance unit for nitrates into groundwater

Collective implementation – for ensuring nitrate impacted users of groundwater have safe water

Discharger cooperative – for management plan to control nitrates into groundwater Shorter term: best practicable treatment or control

Longer term: achieve balance and restore groundwater, where feasible

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Management Zone Authority

Regulatory alternative for dischargers that elect this option

Serves as alternative compliance for nitrate water quality objective

Contractual agreement among dischargers

May be a local agency, but not necessary

Regional Board ensures implementation through waste discharge requirements (WDRs)

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Management Zone Formation

Locally Led – Regional Board Approved

Permitted dischargers work cooperatively to prepare proposal for a Management Zone Identify specific geographic area/boundaries

Identify other permitted dischargers within geographic area

Submit Preliminary and Final Proposals to Regional BoardMinimum 30-days for public comment

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Management Zone Regulatory Timeline – Priority 1 Areas

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Notice to Comply

Within 1 year of effective date (expected within 6 months, Spring 2020)

Staff Review &

Public Comment

Begin implementation within 60 days

Final Management Zone Proposal

180 days

Management Zone Implementation Plan

180 days

& Early Action Plan

Preliminary Management Zone Proposal

270 days

Dischargers

Regional Board

Staff Review &

Public Comment

Public Review &

Board Adoption

Durations TBD

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2020

2021

2022

Management Zone Regulatory Timeline – Priority 1 Areas

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Notice to Comply

Within 1 year of effective date (expected within 6 months, Spring 2020)

Staff Review &

Public Comment

Begin implementation within 60 days

Final Management Zone Proposal

180 days

Management Zone Implementation Plan

180 days

& Early Action Plan

Preliminary Management Zone Proposal

270 days

Dischargers

Regional Board

Staff Review &

Public Comment

Public Review &

Board Adoption

Durations TBD

Management Zone Implementation Plan Content Requirements

Drinking water needs

Time to achieve balance and restoration

Plan for establishing managed restoration

Community collaboration

Funding and cost share agreements

Nitrate management activities

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Water quality characterization & nitrate management measures

Projects Short term (<20 years)

Long term (>20 years)

Milestones and implementation schedule

Participant responsibilities

Surveillance and monitoring

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Who Should Join a Management Zone?

Permitted Dischargers that cannot comply with current nitrate limitations to protect groundwater Agriculture, municipal, industrial, and others

Permitted Dischargers that value collaborating for Prioritizing nitrate control strategies

Cost efficiencies

Local governments representing communities with drinking water needs due to nitrate Cities and counties

Local water agencies and other agencies managing groundwater Water districts and GSAs

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Benefits & Results of Joining Management Zone

Ensures safe drinking water supplies to your community, where needed

Shares the cost of nitrate management

Locally manages nitrate problems

Applies local knowledge of soils, groundwater, and other conditions to implement nitrate reduction actions

Supports a vision that manages nitrate for a viable local economy and community

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GSA’s Role in Management Zones

Local management is common

GSA primary focus on quantity, but must address quality impacts

MZ primary focus on Nitrate impacts, especially Disadvantaged Communities

GSA and MZ are not inconsistent and may fit together well

Other groups that may help coordinate a MZ ILRP coalitions, IRWM regions, irrigation districts, counties

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Two Pilot Management Zones underway in Turlock and Fresno/Tulare

Pilot Management Zones

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Two Pilot Management Zone Formations Underway Now

Turlock Groundwater Subbasin Stanislaus and Merced Counties

Alta Irrigation District and Kings River East GSA Fresno and Tulare Counties

Both developing draft Management Zone Proposals Management Zone boundaries and initial participants

Initial mapping of nitrate levels

Identification of water supplies exceeding nitrate objective

Early Action Plan

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Improved strategies for managing salts across the Valley

Salinity Management Strategy

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Salts Accumulation

These activities and sources include: Agriculture – irrigation, fertilizer use,

manure

Industry – manufacturing and processing facility wastewater

Municipalities – wastewater treatment effluent, water softeners

Rural Residents – leaking septic tanks, fertilizer use and landfills

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Salt problems result from 150 years of prosperous human activity in the Central Valley

Impacts of Salt Accumulation

High levels of salts in streams, soils and groundwater can: Pollute the soil so that it can no longer grow crops

Make water supplies unusable for certain uses

Cause taste problems in drinking water

Increase corrosion and damage equipment

Change aquatic habitats

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Salt Control Program

Goals and StrategiesControl rate of degradation through a “managed degradation” program

Achieve long-term sustainability and prevent continued impacts to salt sensitive areas Implement salinity management activities

Protect beneficial uses Maintain water quality that meets applicable water quality objectives

Pursue long-term managed restoration where reasonable, feasible and practicable

Apply appropriate antidegradation requirements for high quality water

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Salt Control Program

Regulators are considering and adopting proposed Salt Control Program Regional Board, State Board, and U.S. EPA

Approvals expected in 2019

Program includes long-term and short-term strategies Priority & Optimization Study (P&O Study)

Interim Permitting Approach

After approvals, Notices to Comply will be issued by the Central Valley Regional Board (expected in 2020)

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Long-Term Salinity Management

Priority & Optimization Study (P&0 Study) Identify salt management projects and actions to achieve

salt sustainability in the Central Valley

Build on prior salinity studies

Analyze existing conditions, policies, and engineering alternatives

Consider a phased approach and funding options

Approximately 10 years and $10 to $15 million

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Short-Term Salinity Management

Interim Permitting Approach includes actions such as: Continued implementation of existing pollution prevention, watershed, and salt reduction plans

Continued maintenance of current salinity discharge levels

Compliance with Interim Permit Limits, as applicable

Implementation of salinity management practices and source control activities

Monitoring of salinity discharge activities, where required

Requiring either participation in the Prioritization & Optimization Study (P&O Study) or compliance with stringent water quality limitations

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Phase 1 Permitting Approach

Permitted dischargers must comply by selecting one of two compliance pathways: Alternative Pathway: Fund and participate in P&O Study Continue existing monitoring and control activities

Performance based compliance

Conservative: Demonstrate compliance with stringent permitting requirements in Salt Control Program Likely more costly than Alternative pathway

P&O Study is more likely to obtain long-term sustainability than individual efforts through Conservative pathway

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P&O Study Costs

Total Cost Estimated at $10-$15 Million

Communities and Industries that have participated have allocated costs to be affordable to permittees by size, volume, or acreage.

Communities (POTW/Stormwater), Irrigated Agriculture and Dairies will participate through their industry groups

Food Processors, Wine, Oil and Gas have set fees

Other permittees $250 minimum

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Stay Informed, Get Involved

5/22/2019

For More Information

CV-SALTS www.cvsalinity.org

info@cvsalinity.org

Pilot Management Zones Turlock – Parry Klassen, klassenparry@gmail.com

AID/Kings River East – Charlotte Gallock, cgallock@krcd.org

Regional Water Quality Control Board Anne Littlejohn – anne.littlejohn@waterboards.ca.gov

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Managing Salts Collaboratively in the Central Valley

DRAFT -- May 13, 2019 1

Salinity Regulations In May 2018, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) adopted Basin Plan amendments to address the long-term accumulation of salts in the Central Valley (Valley). The goal is to protect and preserve the beneficial uses of water for people, the environment, and the economy. These new salinity requirements apply to all permitted dischargers in the Valley, including dischargers in areas where groundwater has been or will be de-designated for agricultural or municipal beneficial use.

With the anticipated approval of the Basin Plan amendments by the State Water Resources Control Board, a Prioritization and Optimization Study (P&O Study) over the next 10 years will identify strategies and projects for reducing and removing salts that otherwise would hinder crop production, impair water quality, harm ecological functions, and reduce water supply. During this time, water dischargers would operate under one of two permitting pathways: more stringent site-specific salinity control requirements or participation in the Valley-wide P&O Study.

Rationale The Regional Board recognized that salinity accumulation is a Valley-wide problem and that all water users contribute to it. Even when a grower irrigates with high-quality water, salts from that water may remain in the soil or leach to groundwater. Left unchecked, salinity accumulation will bring ongoing harm to agriculture, the environment, and the economy. As the Regional Board explained:

The salt accumulations have resulted in 250,000 acres taken out of production and about 1.5 million acres being salinity impaired. If not addressed, the economic impacts could be staggering. For example, if salt accumulations are not managed, the resulting direct economic costs to the Valley could exceed $1.5 billion per year by 2030. The Valley’s economic future depends on addressing these impacts.

Key Elements of the Basin Plan Amendments The Basin Plan amendments give every salt discharger in the Valley a choice of permitting pathways: (1) eliminate the salt accumulation problem individually and meet stringent numeric water quality permit limitations or (2) work collaboratively toward a basin-wide salinity solution. The Regional Board set a high bar for Pathway 1, the Conservative Approach—individual dischargers must prove they have solved the salt accumulation problem by demonstrating that salt discharges will consistently remain below a stringent salinity threshold (700 μmhos/cm). For growers, that means that irrigation water leaching below the root zone must consistently remain below this threshold. Meeting this threshold means that dischargers are not adding salt at a concentration that is potentially harmful to agriculture.

Tulare Lakebed De-Designation In 2017, the Regional Board approved a Basin Plan amendment to remove municipal and agricultural beneficial use designations from a delineated portion of the groundwater in the historic Tulare Lakebed.

This area became the first area in the Central Valley to be de-designated, meaning the Regional Board relieved dischargers of requirements to ensure groundwater in this area was of high enough quality to meet municipal and agricultural water needs. This decision was made because the shallow groundwater within the Tulare Lakebed historically has contained high levels of salt and thus was deemed unsuitable for municipal use.

The de-designation process proceeded in coordination with the CV-SALTS program. CV-SALTS brought together a broad group of agricultural, municipal, industrial and regulatory interests to develop an overall vision and plan for addressing salinity and nitrate concerns in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.

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Managing Salts Collaboratively in the Central Valley

DRAFT -- May 13, 2019 2

Pathway 2, the Alternative Approach, entails a Valley-wide study (the P&O Study) of salt management actions that will lay the foundation for managing salinity accumulation long-term. This process will update information on salt sources and conditions and identify management strategies and projects to reduce and remove salts. The study is expected to take 10 years at a cost of $10 million to $15 million.

Under both pathways, existing salt management and monitoring requirements will continue. Dischargers will continue to conduct monitoring and implement actions to meet those requirements. If a discharger chooses Pathway 1, supplemental characterization studies would be required, and additional management actions may be needed to demonstrate compliance with the permitting strategy. If a discharger chooses Pathway 2, compliance includes paying a minor annual fee to support the P&O Study. However, additional salt management actions would be deferred for permittees on Pathway 2 until after the P&O Study is complete.

De-Designated Areas In adopting the Basin Plan amendments, the Regional Board acknowledged that some areas of the Valley have been or will be de-designated for certain beneficial uses (e.g., Municipal and Domestic Supply and Agriculture) due to high salinity levels in underlying groundwater. The P&O Study will include identifying locations—such as these de-designated areas—that may serve as salt management areas that

can be used to consolidate salts for desalinization or transport. In the course of adopting the amendments, the Regional Board expressed its intent that all permittees should financially support the P&O Study, including those with de-designated locations. The Board explained:

For example, a groundwater basin that has had one or more beneficial uses de-designated due to salinity may be considered a potential location for establishing a salt management area. Accordingly, under the Phase I Salt Control Program:

• Permittee(s) that selects either the Conservative [Pathway 1] or Alternative [Pathway 2] Permitting Approach and then requests the de-designation of one or more beneficial uses from a surface water body or all or part of a groundwater basin based on salinity shall participate in the P&O Study even after the beneficial use de-designation is approved by providing at least the minimum level of required financial support throughout the Phase I program. The P&O Study shall evaluate all areas de-designated based on salinity for suitability as salt management areas.

• Permittee(s) that discharges to a surface water body or a groundwater basin where one or more beneficial uses were de-designated due to salinity prior to the beginning of Phase I of the Salt Control Program shall participate in the P&O Study by providing at least the minimum level of required financial support.

Long-Term Goal for Salinity Management The Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS) developed the Basin Plan amendments and the Salt Control Program as a rational way for the Regional Board and dischargers to collectively and efficiently tackle a salinity problem that threatens the Valley’s agricultural productivity. In carefully designing these efforts with extensive stakeholder input, the Regional Board and the Central Valley Salinity Coalition provided a reasonable means for all dischargers not only to participate in the P&O Study, which will be the roadmap toward salt sustainability, but to benefit on a long-term basis. The more conservative Pathway 1 is available to permittees on an individual permitting basis but would be more costly and is less likely to be a viable, achievable approach for many areas of the Valley.

Learn More About CV-SALTS, Help Shape Your Future You are encouraged to participate and get involved now. To learn more, visit CV-SALTS at www.cvsalinity.org. CV-SALTS is working to ensure safe, reliable water supplies for everyone in the Central Valley.

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Approved CV-SALTS Meeting Calendar

1 2 3 Light Red conflicts

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 1 2 3 4 5 5 1 2 9 1 2

2 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 6 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Third Thursdays Where possible

3 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 11 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Executive Committee Meetings

4 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 8 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 12 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Policy or Admin Calls 1:00 or 1:30pm

5 27 28 29 30 31 9 24 25 26 27 28 13 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Yellow Salty 5

14 31 State Board Worshops/Hearings

TAC Meeting

4 5 6 PEOC Committee

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

14 1 2 3 4 5 6 18 1 2 3 4 22 1

15 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 19 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 23 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 24 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

17 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 21 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

18 28 29 30 22 26 27 28 29 30 31 26 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

27 30

7 8 9

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

27 1 2 3 4 5 6 31 1 2 3

28 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 32 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 36 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

29 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 33 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 37 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

30 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 34 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 38 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

31 28 29 30 31 35 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 39 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

40 29 30

10 11 12

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

40 1 2 3 4 5 44 1 2

41 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 45 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 49 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

42 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 46 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 50 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

43 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 47 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 51 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

44 27 28 29 30 31 48 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 52 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

53 29 30 31

Notes/Key

January February March

April May June

September

October November December

2019

July August

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PACKAGE- Page 37

Draft Outline for State Water Board Workshop Presentation

Topic Presenters Estimated Time

Overview of CVSALTS & Basin Plan Development Process

5 minutes

Nitrate Control Program & Related Policies • Priority Basins & Sub-basins • Permitting Approaches

o Individual o Management Zone

• Schedule for Implementation • Required Deliverables

o Early Action Plan o Implementation Plan for Long-

term Sustainability • Exceptions Policy

45 minutes

Salt Control Program & Related Policies • Phases • Permitting Approach for Phase 1

o Conservative o Alternative

• Schedule of Implementation • P&O Study Deliverables • Variance Policy

30 minutes

Other Policies & Actions • Conditional Discharge Prohibition • Drought & Conservation Policy • Offsets Policy • Application of Secondary MCLs to

Protect MUN • Surveillance & Monitoring • Recommendations for other agencies • Definitions & Terms

30 minutes

Stakeholder Panel Responses • Environmental Justice Participants • Drinking Water Participants • Regulated Community Participants

45 minutes (15 minutes each panel)