Plain English Breakdown
The source states rules must meet 'certain reductions' but does not define specific numerical targets for nitrogen reduction.
Water: Nitrogen Pollution Reduction Act
This law requires state and regional water boards to update rules for commercial farms that use irrigation in order to reduce nitrogen waste entering California's waters.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the State Water Resources Control Board to direct regional boards to update the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program to lower nitrogen waste from commercial irrigated agricultural areas.
- Orders regional boards to adopt new rules with waste discharge requirements by January 1, 2028, that meet certain reductions in nitrogen waste discharges.
- Directs the state board to publish a list of standardized crop names and categories, plus a method for calculating and reporting field-level nitrogen balances, by July 1, 2027.
- Requires the state board to submit a report on progress toward reducing nitrogen waste discharges to the Legislature's policy committees by January 1, 2031.
- Creates a Safer Fertilizer Task Force if the Legislature provides funding, which would work with the Department of Food and Agriculture to set technology standards for nitrogen-based fertilizers.
Who It Names or Affects
- The State Water Resources Control Board and California regional water quality control boards
- Commercial agricultural areas that use irrigation systems
- Members of a potential Safer Fertilizer Task Force, including representatives from sustainable agriculture groups, public health organizations, academic institutions, farmers, the fertilizer industry, and state or local agencies
Terms To Know
- Nitrogen waste discharges
- Excess nitrogen that flows into water bodies from agricultural activities.
- Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program
- The existing set of rules for managing pollution on farmland that uses artificial watering systems.
- Nitrogen balances
- A calculation comparing the amount of nitrogen added to a field versus how much is used or lost, including fertilizer applications and available soil nitrogen.
Limits and Unknowns
- The Safer Fertilizer Task Force can only be formed if the Legislature approves funding.
- The specific amounts for reducing nitrogen waste are not listed in this summary text; it only states rules must meet 'certain reductions.'
- No effective date is provided in the source material.