Environmental Information
for the California Almond Industry
Air Quality Regulations of Importance to Almond Growers

New rule and regulations dealing with farming practices in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) took effect July 1, 2004. Here is what almond growers need to know:

1) Conservation Management Practices (CMP) Plans
a. The SJV Air Quality Control District requires all farmers with 100 or more contiguous acres to implement and file CMP plans with the district.
b. Growers must implement one farming practice in each of five categories to help reduce PM10 emissions. Growers are able to substitute an extra farming practice in one of the five categories in order to complete their CMP. Dust control practices must be implemented by July 1, 2004. The CMP plan must be filed by Dec. 31, 2004.

Click here for brochure on Comprehensive Management Plan (requires Abode Acrobat Reader)

 2) Title V local permits for NOx or VOC emissions
a. All farms within the eight-county SJV Air Pollution Control District must obtain permits to operate if their annual NOx or VOC emissions exceed 12.5 tons.
b. Local permits must be filed by June 30, 2004
c. Calculated emissions must encompass all natural gas and propane engines, as well as both stationary and portable internal combustion engines (excluding tractors.)
d. Filing fees and regulatory requirements will be required with the application for operations exceeding the 12.5-ton threshold.

3) SB700 Deadlines for burning prunings or brush piles
a. General burning phases out July 1, 2005.
b. Burning orchard removals ends July 1, 2007
c. Prunings cannot be burned after July 1, 2010.

The California Air Resources Board has a website to help producers determine if their operations fall under the new rules. Located at http://www.valleyair.org/farmpermits the web-based "calculators" will assist producers in determining if they are required to file a CMP plan or obtain air permits.

Air quality in the news--click here for the latest headlines on air quality issues affecting California almond growers.

For more information on the Almond Board's Environmental Committee, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Personal Commitment to Air Quality

Almond growers in the San Joaquin Valley are adopting environmentally friendly practices as they work to enhance air quality. Fresno County grower Tom Steffen uses a mix of molasses and water to suppress dust on his orchard's road. Click here (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) to read more about how almond growers are meeting the challenge of  improving air quality.

Environmental Champion Award

The EPA recognized the California almond industry for its leadership on environmental issues when it named the Almond Board a Champion for Pesticide Environmental Stewardship. Click here to learn more.

On-Line Resources

To learn if you can burn today, click here