28 Almond Facts
JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015
Growers concerned about new and changing regulations affecting
application of VOCs and fumigants to their orchards received expert
insights and advice at the
Blue Diamond Growers
annual meeting November
19 in Sacramento.
Sean Runyon, Deputy Agricultural Commissioner for Merced County,
presented a detailed overview of the regulatory landscape as practiced in
Merced County with reference to limitations that apply throughout the San
Joaquin Valley. Pointing out that "this is an overview, not a training session,"
he provided an update on VOC (volatile organic compounds) restrictions
for 2015, an update on fumigant mitigations and permit conditions,
anticipated regulations for 2015 and orchard application concerns.
VOC Regulations
Runyon explained the cause for concern about VOCs is that VOCs
and nitrogen oxides react with sunlight to form ozone, which can cause
infammation and irritation of lungs, and result in premature deaths
and compromised immune systems. Consequently the Federal Clean Air
Act requires the Dept. of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to develop a State
Implementation Plan (SIP). California's SIP requires the DPR to track
pesticide VOC emissions by compiling pesticide use reports for areas of
the state that do not meet federal ozone standards. There are fve such
areas in the state, including the San Joaquin Valley. To meet the ozone
standard in the critical May through October peak ozone season, DPR
seeks to reduce pesticide emissions by specifed amounts during that
period. In 2008, DPR announced low-emitting fumigation methods and
in 2013 implemented restrictions on non-fumigant products in the San
Joaquin Valley.
Fumigant and non-fumigant usage in the San Joaquin Valley peaked in
2006 at over 20 tons per day but declined in 2007 below the 18.1 tons/
day "trigger" for prohibition of several uses of high-VOC non-fumigant
VOCs, Fumigants
and Regulatory Concerns
Environmental Bene ts:
*Less Water Wasted
*Less Nitrogen Wasted
Shur-Crop's Icelandic Kelp and Molasses
combines with metallic radicals in the soil
to formulate mineral rich polymers that
tenaciously hold water in the soil up to
one thousand times its own dry weight.
Shur-Crop stimulates healthy deep roots;
retaining water and nitrogen in a larger
root zone and minimize the leaching of
nitrogen into the ground water.
Less Nematode and Worm Damage:
Shur-Crop eld tested for over 20 years on
James Tanioka Farm (209) 769-5627
Consultant: Ron Barnes, U.C. Davis with a
Master Degree in Agronomy and former
owner and CEO of Monarch Laboratory Inc.,
Chico, CA
Shur-Crop: Manufactured in California since 1970
Ingredients: Organic Icelandic Kelp & Molasses
BY LEE KENDER, INC.
P O BOX 472, OROVILLE CA 95965
(808) 531-3141 Of ce | (808) 523-2473 Fax