On March 20-22 the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board met in Salinas and Watsonville over three days. There are several large differences between the current Order and what the expected Order will look like. First, staff recommends that this Ag Order be a waste discharge order and not an ag waiver. Second, they have eliminated the tier structure and plan to implement phase-in of requirements, but ultimately all growers would comply with all standards.

The staff made presentations on tables they recommend compose priorities in Ag Order 4.0 including:

1. Irrigation and Nutrient Management for Groundwater management
2. Irrigation and Nutrient Management for Surface Water Protection
3. Pesticide Management for Surface and Groundwater Protection
4. Sediment and Erosion Management for Surface Water Protection
5. Riparian Habitat Management for Water Quality Protection

Hay varias preocupaciones para los productores de fresas que incluyen cuesta abajo, el manejo de las zonas ribereñas y el cálculo para el nitrógeno aplicado y extraído. CSC will continue to engage on this issue, and any questions and comments should be directed to Laura Brown at lbrown@calstrawberry.org.