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Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program - Second Statewide Agricultural Expert Panel

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.

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 was critical for program development. Staff proposed to move forward with convening the second expert panel to get recommendations as early as feasible while there is still room for flexibility.