SBX2 1 Statute

Requirement of SBX2 1 to Develop Nitrate Pilot Projects in the Tulare Lake Basin and Salinas Valley

SBX2 1 added Water Code Section 83002.5 which requires that the State Water Board, in consultation with other agencies, develop pilot projects in the Tulare Lake Basin and the Salinas Valley to study nitrate contamination, and identify remedial solutions and funding options to recover costs associated with cleanup or treatment of groundwater and to report to the Legislature within two years. It also directs the State Water Board to create an Interagency Task Force (ITF) as needed, to oversee the pilot projects and develop recommendations for the Legislature.

The pilot projects are intended to help improve understanding of the causes of groundwater contamination due to nitrate, identify potential source reduction measures, remediation and treatment solutions, and funding sources to recover costs expended by the state to clean up or treat groundwater, and ensure the provision of safe drinking water to all communities.

Nitrate Project Development

On June 10, 2010, the California Department of General Services approved the contract between the State Water Board and UC Davis for the subject pilot projects. Dr. Thomas Harter, Robert M. Hagan Endowed Chair in Water Management and Policy, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources and Center for Watershed Sciences, is the principal investigator.

Nitrate Project Interagency Task Force (ITF)

Member agencies of the ITF are identified in SBX2 1. The ITF will play an important role in overseeing the pilot projects, as well as developing recommendations to the Legislature.

Members:

• California Environmental Protection Agency
• California Department of Food and Agriculture
• California Department of Public Health
• California Department of Pesticide Regulation
• California Department of Toxic Substances Control
• California Department of Water Resources
• Fresno County Department of Public Health
• Kern County Department of Public Health
• Kings County Department of Public Health
• Monterey County Health Department
• Tulare County Health Services
• State Water Resource Control Board
• Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
• Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board

Timeline