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California farmers say proposed water rules will cost too much; The state says the regulations are needed because polluted water endangers health

Posted by: Maven on February 13, 2010 at 7:25 am

From the San Luis Obispo Tribune:

“State water officials have proposed a new set of rules aimed at reducing polluted runoff from farmland, but farmers say they will be too expensive to implement.

The rules are necessary because polluted farm runoff endangers people’s health, aquatic life and the ability to enjoy water recreation such as swimming and kayaking, said Angela Schroeter, manager of the agricultural program for the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.

“The impacts on water quality from irrigated agriculture are severe,” she said. “For example, many of our creeks and streams are toxic to aquatic life, and data shows that toxicity is directly related to the runoff of pesticides from farming operations.”

Under the rules, farmers would be required to enroll in a monitoring program to demonstrate that their operations are either not discharging water during dry weather or, if they are, the discharge does not exceed limits for a variety of pollutants such as nitrates, ammonia, temperature and turbidity. … “

Read more from the San Luis Obispo by clicking here.

February 13, 2010 · Filed Under Water Quality

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