Mark Lane, the RCD's Mobile Water Lab Manager, is currently recruiting interested growers to participate in the Yolo-Solano Ag Water Quality Management Support Program, funded through the State Water Resources Control Board.

This program provides financial assistance (and the RCD’s technical expertise), in installing sediment traps, vegetated ditches and/or winter cover crops, for farmers who are members of a Yolo or Solano County water quality coalition group. The program includes free monitoring during the first irrigation or storm event, in order to measure the effectiveness of these conservation practices in reducing runoff and improving water quality.

A free on-farm workshop discussing these practices will be held on Feb. 20th, 2008 at 9-11a.m. in Winters at the intersection of Buckeye Rd. and Russell Blvd.

For an event flyer with a map click here.

Key Points:

• 60 sediment traps ($1500 each)
• 20 grassed waterways or vegetated ditches ($1000 each)
• 20 other vegetation/residue mgt. systems ($20,000 total)

• Projects will be tested for before and after effects of the the practice to determine degree of success.
• Only monitor constituents that each farmer requests (no pesticide monitoring, unless specifically requested)

Best Management Practices:

• Sediment Traps (PDF, 520 kB)
  
• Vegetated Filter Strips (PDF, 814 kB)
  
• Vegetated Drainage Ditches (PDF, 401 kB)
  
• Perennial Cover Crops (PDF, 647kB)
  
• Annual Cover Crops (PDF, 206 kB)
  

Project Overview:

For More Information Contact:

Mark Lane, Mobile Water Lab Manager

tel. 530-662-2037 x120