Modifications to the MRP of the General Order for Existing Milk Cow Dairies

Deanne Meyer, Ph.D., UCCE Livestock Waste Management Specialist

It’s hard to believe that four years have passed since the General Order was adopted. Most producers are familiar with the basics of the Order. The Monitoring and Reporting Program (MRP) establishes the type(s) and frequencies of sampling and reporting.

The MRP was opened for modifications in the fall of 2010. A draft-revised document was available for public comment in October, November and a bit of December. The final revised document was posted February 23, 2011.

Numerous documents for the CDQAP WDR Reference Binder have been modified and will be available at the CDQAP website http://www.cdqa.org/binder.asp: Tab1 Doc 4; Tab 5; Tab 6 Docs 1, 12, and 13; and Tab 8 Docs 2 and 3. 

 

Why modify the MRP? The primary reason to modify the MRP was to provide language for the representative groundwater-monitoring program. In the process, changes were also made to Tables 1 through 4, record-keeping requirements, and the general section of the annual report. All of these changes should be implemented immediately.

Net Effect of Changes in Sampling Requirements
The major changes are outlined here after taking into account clarifications provided by Regional Board staff. Changes from potassium or phosphorus to total potassium or total phosphorus are not included in this list, but are in the protocols and the summary document (Binder Tab 1, Doc 4).

Table 1. The rainy season is defined from October 1 through April 30. Include the pond depth marker in the photo when taking monthly photos of ponds. Document conditions of fields before beginning irrigations with liquid manure.

Table 2. Process wastewater: include analysis of total dissolved solids for quarterly samples. Every two years, conduct general mineral analysis of process wastewater. An annual pH may be requested by Regional Board staff. Solid manure: include sulfur and fixed solids analysis every two years. Track manure application and manifests by weight and moisture content (no longer allowed to use volume and bulk density). Plant tissue: Track yields for each crop from each field by weight and moisture content (no longer allowed to use volume and bulk density). Include fixed solids analysis. Soil: may distribute sampling over a 5-year period (20% of fields each year). Irrigation water: include total dissolved solids in lab analysis.

Table 3. A few modifications were made to off-site discharge sampling requirements. See Doc 8.2 and 8.3 from the CDQAP reference binder for those details should you need to collect samples.

Table 4. Supply well samples: include field test of ammonium nitrogen. If ammonium nitrogen is present, then obtain laboratory analysis of ammonium nitrogen. Run general minerals every 5 years (may be done on 20% of wells per year). The Regional Board has information on the field test kit for ammonium nitrogen. 

Changes in Record-keeping Requirements. For rented or leased facilities, both the dischargers and the owners shall maintain copies of the records for 5 years. A modification was made regarding recording of weather conditions at time of manure or process wastewater applications: Record if precipitation occurred, or standing water was present, at the time of manure and process wastewater applications and for 24 hours prior to and following applications. 

Changes in Annual Reporting Requirements (this is an overview of the more important items). One of the key changes is that total dissolved solids and fixed solids will be used to estimate salts generated, applied to fields, or manifested off-site. Additionally, the ratio of total nitrogen applied to land application areas and total nitrogen removed by crops harvested must be determined. Modifications were made so operators will no longer need to submit a modified dairy facility assessment. Additionally, the annual report maximum and average number of animals will need to be reported.

Groundwater monitoring. The revised MRP reminds us that each Discharger shall comply with additional groundwater monitoring requirements … either through individual groundwater monitoring or by participation in a Representative Monitoring Program. If you’ve not signed up for a representative monitoring program, you will receive a directive at some point to install groundwater monitoring wells. Between 100 and 200 individuals may be directed per year. If you’re interested in more information on the representative monitoring program, it is available at www.dairycares.com.

The modified MRP is available by clicking here.