Agriculture

Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program

Announcements

November 8, 2024: The analysis of available INMP data was updated to include a description of reported zero A values and updated Figures 15 through 17 to reflect corrected data.

October 24, 2024: In 2021, the Central Coast Regional Water Board adopted R3-2021-0040, General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from Irrigated Lands (2021 Central Coast Ag Order). The new Central Coast Ag Order went beyond the precedential requirements set forth in Order WQ 2018-0002, In the Matter of Review of Waste Discharge Requirements General Order No. R5-2012-0116 for Growers Within the Eastern San Joaquin River Watershed that are Members of the Third-Party Group (Eastern San Joaquin Water Quality Order), setting regulatory limits on nitrogen discharge, limits on nitrogen application, and allowing growers to factor in discounts to nitrogen applied (A) and additions to nitrogen removed (R). Following petitions seeking State Water Board review the 2021 Central Coast Ag Order, the State Water Board adopted Order WQ 2023-0081, In the Matter of Review of General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from Irrigated Lands Order No. R3-2021-0040 (Central Coast Ag Water Quality Order). The State Water Board remanded a number of provisions to the Central Coast Regional Board to bring them into compliance with the statewide precedential requirements of the Eastern San Joaquin Water Quality Order, including the 2021 Central Coast Ag Order’s enforceable nitrogen discharge and fertilizer application limits, discounts to A, and additions to R.

Following adoption of Order WQ 2023-0081, staff conducted an analysis of available INMP data to identify any potential trends in A/R outliers as a measure of program effectiveness.

In both the Eastern San Joaquin Water Quality Order and in the Central Coast Ag Water Quality Order, the State Water Board committed to consider convening a second Agricultural Expert Panel. Although the data analysis noted some limitations, convening a second Agricultural Expert Panel now is critical for program development. Staff is proposing to move forward with convening the second expert panel to get recommendations as early as feasible while there is still room for flexibility.

Staff issued a public notice with draft questions, a request for areas of expertise, and a call for materials for the proposed expert panel to consider on May 13, 2024. The public comment period ended on June 28, 2024. The finalized questions for the second Agricultural Expert Panel and a general response to comments received on the draft questions are now available. The second Agricultural Expert Panel will evaluate the A and R data collected thus far, consider the approaches adopted in the 2021 Central Coast Ag Order, and provide recommendations for the program.

Background

California agriculture is extremely diverse and spans a wide array of growing conditions from northern to southern California. California's agriculture includes more than 400 commodities. The state produces nearly half of US-grown fruits, nuts and vegetables. Across the nation, US consumers regularly purchase crops produced in California. Many of the products are exported to markets worldwide

Water discharges from agricultural operations in California include irrigation runoff, flows from tile drains, and storm water runoff. These discharges can affect water quality by transporting pollutants, including pesticides, sediment, nutrients, salts (including selenium and boron), pathogens, and heavy metals, from cultivated fields into surface waters. Many surface water bodies are impaired because of pollutants from agricultural sources. Groundwater bodies have suffered pesticide, nitrate, and salt contamination.

To prevent agricultural discharges from impairing the waters that receive these discharges, the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) regulates discharges from irrigated agricultural lands. This is done by issuing waste discharge requirements (WDRs) or conditional waivers of WDRs (Waivers) to growers (WDRs and Waivers collectively referred to as Orders). Due to regional diversity of farm practices, hydrogeology, and other factors, each Regional Water Quality Control Board adopts their own Orders to protect water quality from agricultural practices. Over 50,000 farm operations with over six million acres are enrolled in the ILRP. Up-to-date and historic enrollment data can be found on the ILRP performance report webpage.

For more information on the Program, view the ILRP overview document.

Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program across California

Region Year First Implemened Estimated Acres of Agriculure Primary Commodities
North Cast Region Pending 270,000 Wine grapes, lily bulbs
Francisco Bay Region 2018 50,000 Wine grapes
Central Coast Region 2003 540,000 Lettuce, celery, broccoli, cabbage, strawberries
Los Angeles Region 2005 90,000 Fruit, nuts, nursery stock, cut flowers, vegetables
Central Valley Region 2003 6,050,000 Almonds, rice, tomatoes, grapes
Lahontan Region 2023 220,000 Grazing
Colorado River Basin Region 2012 608,000 Alfalfa, citrus, winter vegetables, dates, leafy greens
Santa Ana Region 2016 18,000 Citrus, wheats, various
San Diego Region 2017 70,000 Nursery, cut flowers, avocado, citrus, nuts

Statewide Requirements

In February 2018, the State Resources Water Control Board (State Water Board) adopted Order No. WQ-2018-0002, In the Matter of Review of Waste Discharge Requirements General Order No. R5-2012-0116 for Growers Within the Eastern San Joaquin River Watershed that are Members of the Third-Party Group (ESJ Order). The ESJ Order was adopted in response to petitions filed against an Order issued within the Central Valley. The ESJ Order directed all Regional Boards to revise their agricultural Orders and incorporate the precedential requirements by 2023.

Prior to adoption of the ESJ Order, the State Board convened an agricultural expert panel as directed by California Senate Bill SBX 2 1 (Perata). Many of the requirements included in the ESJ Order are from recommendations made within the 2014 Agricultural Expert Panel Report.

The ESJ Order includes precedential requirements for educational outreach events, record keeping standards, on-farm drinking water well monitoring, Farm Evaluations, Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plans (INMPs), and Sediment and Erosion Control Plans where necessary.

For more information on the program requirements, please contact program staff.

Monthly Reports

The State Water Board provides program updates in the monthly Executive Directors report.

State Board updates are provided monthly while Regional Board updates are provided bi-monthly. To view the monthly reports, visit the ILRP monthly report webpage.

Fee Information

The State Water Board’s Division of Administrative Services’ Fee Branch is responsible for setting and collecting fees for the Water Quality Programs, which includes the agricultural program. The current fee schedule for this fiscal year can be found on the Fees webpage. If you have questions regarding Water Quality fees, please email FeeBranch@waterboards.ca.gov or call (916) 341-5247.

GeoTracker

GeoTracker is a database and geographic information system that provides online access to environmental data. It is the primary tool for tracking regulatory data for the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. Water Boards staff use GeoTracker to view and manage data on drinking water sampling, management practices, and additional reported information. Most Regional Water Boards require growers to enroll in the program using an electronic Notice of Intent (eNOI) located on GeoTracker.

Other Informational Links

Subscribe to the ILRP Mailing List

Subscribe to our Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program email list to receive notifications and the latest updates. After subscribing, you will need to check your email host for a confirmation email to complete the subscription.

  Subscribe to our other email lists. See the "Water Quality" section.

Region-Specific Program Information

Contacts

General Inquiries

Disaster related animal mortality

    If there are questions related to disposal of debris or animal carcasses from a disaster or emergency event, contact the Program Manager.

Region-Specific Inquiries

Fee Inquiries