Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1123864
13 and meeting the immediate need for safe drinking water. The proposed amendments allow regulators to deem farmers in compliance when reasonable efforts are being made to use fertilizer efficiently, even if water quality objectives have not yet been achieved. However, those growers must also contribute (along with other permitted dischargers) to providing clean drinking water to those who need it within their local area, known as a Management Zone. Management Zones generally won't begin to form until after the State Water Board adopts the regulations. Once this happens, growers are likely to hear more from their Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) grower coalitions about how to participate. Much like GSAs, local Management Zones will make important decisions about where water quality for domestic supply wells doesn't meet drinking water standards and how to best meet standards through funding (state legislation currently under consideration may provide significant funding for these local efforts). For now, growers should watch for developments, especially from their ILRP coalitions. Continued attention to ensuring that nitrogen fertilizers are used properly and efficiently in the orchard will help minimize impacts to groundwater, while helping control costs and ensuring better yields and quality. It will also demonstrate that growers are indeed making the reasonable efforts required to be deemed in compliance. ABC invests in solutions To help growers prepare for the challenges these regulations may bring, ABC has invested in multiple research, education and outreach programs in key areas such as irrigation efficiency, groundwater recharge and nutrient use efficiency. More and more almond growers are embracing strategies and trying new concepts in these areas, as evidenced by the fact that each pound of almonds grown uses 33% less water than 20 years ago. 2 Moreover, ABC recently adopted a goal — one of the industry's Almond Orchard 2025 Goals — to further reduce the amount of water used to grow a pound of almonds by 20% by 2025. Growers can strive to meet this goal — and improve their own bottom lines — by using ABC resources like the Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum, a free, comprehensive and thoroughly researched manual with step- by-step tips for evaluating and improving the performance of irrigation systems. Similarly, growers can tune in to The Irrigation Station videos, found at Almonds. com/Irrigation, for quick and easy tips to improve water efficiency on their operations, from using a pressure chamber to utilizing ground-truthing techniques. Growers are also encouraged to participate in the California Almond Sustainability Program (CASP), which provides tools to help growers assess their current practices and provides suggestions for modifications to their current irrigation plan. CASP also includes a Nitrogen Budgeting Calculator that allows growers to input orchard-specific data and receive a total nitrogen fertilizer recommendation, along with recommended amounts by crop growth stage. By using the calculator, growers can improve their nitrogen use efficiency and show that they are using nitrogen responsibly. Growers are encouraged to learn more at SustainableAlmondGrowing.org and should reach out to Spencer Cooper, senior manger of Field Outreach and Education for ABC, scooper@almondboard.com, with questions on how to create efficiencies in their irrigation system. 1 Public Policy Institute of California. Water and the Future of the San Joaquin Valley. February 2019. bit.ly/2JhXoxd 2 University of California, 2010. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2012. Almond Board of California, 1990 –94, 2000 –14. The Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum is a comprehensive manual of irrigation management and scheduling practices developed in partnership with many trusted and respected technical experts and resources. Growers can download the Irrigation Continuum and access other irrigation tools for free at Almonds.com/Irrigation.