Almond Industry Headline Environmental News

   Air Quality

• Test device measures dust from almond harvesting - - While the California almond industry pursues various ways to reduce the dust associated with the crop, a group of engineers at the University of California, Davis is testing equipment designed to monitor the amount of particulate matter released during harvesting. <more> Aug. 10, 2005 Western Farm Press
   

• UC presents carbon sequestration workshop to farmers in San Joaquin Valley - -  Concern about global warming is feeding interest in carbon sequestration and its possible financial benefits for California farmers. UC Cooperative Extension will offer a primer on the technical issues, economics and policy applications of carbon sequestration in California agriculture from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the UC West Side Research and Extension Center near Five Points. <more> July 29, 2005 UC Press Release

Crop Protection

• DPR will monitor for pesticides in Parlier air quality pilot project - - The Department of Pesticide Regulation will monitor for more than two dozen pesticides in its air Parlier pilot project.  In addition, the Air Resources Board (ARB) has agreed to assist DPR by conducting additional monitoring for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals.  Among pesticides included in the ARB monitoring are methyl bromide, 1,3-dichloropropene (Telone), xylene and sulfur. <more> July 25, 2005 Dept. of Pesticide Regulation

Water Quality

• Farm water runoff management practices highlighted in Runoff Rundown- - The Water Education Foundation has published “Runoff Rundown”, a newsletter highlighting the efforts of various watershed coalitions to comply with the state’s conditional waiver programs. The State Water Board funded the publication which can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here. Aug. 24, 2005 Water Education Foundation
   

• Irrigation waiver program may explore expanding discharge enforcement to ground water. - - Regulators of a state program that deals with pollution from irrigated farmland will begin a discussion today on a policy change that could significantly broaden enforcement, especially in the Valley. In an e-mail to members of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board and others, Chairman Bob Schneider said he plans at today's meeting in Sacramento to ask the board's staff to consider whether discharges into ground water should be included in the program. The 3-year-old program now applies to those who discharge into surface water, not into the water below. Considerable controversy has arisen over who does or does not discharge. <more> Aug. 5, 2005 Fresno Bee
   

• California farmers still confused about water monitoring requirements - - California's first attempt to monitor farm pollution flowing into rivers and streams also marks the first time a program has required farmers to comply with clean water regulations that already apply to businesses and cities. But two years into the effort, state water regulators are still unsure how many farmers have joined the program. <more> July 22, 2005 Associated Press

Endangered Species

• Tiger salamander losing some ground - - Federal officials on Tuesday dramatically reduced the California tiger salamander's critical habitat, highlighting an environmental fight that's about to resurface on Capitol Hill. Pressed from all sides, the Fish and Wildlife Service formally designated 199,109 acres statewide as crucial for the salamander's survival. This is only about half of the 382,666 acres originally proposed, and it includes significant reductions throughout the Central Valley. <more> Aug. 24, 2005 Modesto Bee

General Industry News

• Agricultural regulations: learn to manage them instead of letting them manage you - - California Secretary of Agriculture AG Kawamura will introduce a workshop that will help producers manage the burden of regulations. The new tool, called AgComplyIT helps farmers create a unified plan for dealing with regulations. The workshops will be presented throughout California simultaneously in at least 20 locations by 31 county Agricultural Commissioners assisted by 15 Small Business Development Centers.<more> July 21, 2005 Farm Agriculture Collaborative Training Systems Press Release
   

• Almond orchards important links in food safety chain - - Two outbreaks in three years of salmonellosis involving California almonds have put the state’s No. 1 agricultural export on notice that constant vigilance by growers, huller/shellers, and handlers is necessary to continue to provide a safe and healthful product. <more> Aug. 12, 2005 Western Farm Press

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