The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) and California Water Impact Network (C-WIN) have appealed the extension of the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) Waiver and the ILRP Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) adopted by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board). The “waiver” exempts irrigated agriculture from having to obtain Waste Discharge Requirements for pollutant discharges to surface and ground waters. The Regional Board again extended the waiver for two years at its 9 June 2011 meeting. The 11 July 2011 appeal alleges that the Regional Board egregiously violated numerous laws and regulations, including: the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Porter-Cologne) and California’s Non-point Source Control and Antidegradation Policies.
CSPA/C-WIN also sent a 12 July 2011 letter to the State Board informing them that if it fails to take immediate action to consider the appeal within ten days, the groups intend seek a writ of mandate from the Superior Court to compel compliance with the California Administrative Code. The State Board has a history of stalling and delaying consideration of appeals brought before it. The administrative appeal is a necessary precursor to litigation. Press Release Petition for Review State Board Letter Fact Sheet ILRP