Irrigated Lands Group continues to grow
Administered by the San Diego County Farm Burea

The San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group (SDRILG) now has nearly 1,200 farms and 35,000 acres enrolled, but there’s room for plenty more. In fact, the economics of joining the group improve as the acreage grows larger, because each new enrollee means the operating costs will be smaller as they are spread over a larger number of participants.

It is important to remember that all owners of agricultural operations—large and small—will be required to either file a Notice of Intent directly with the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) by Jan. 1, 2011 or enroll in a monitoring group by Dec. 31, 2010. If you don’t want to report directly to the RWQCB and you haven’t yet enrolled in the SDRILG, there is really no advantage to waiting any longer. Even though you have time before that deadline, by enrolling the group sooner, you will save on the enrollment fee, which is $150 per acre (capped at $750) now through June 30. On July 1, that enrollment fee increases to $200 per acre (capped at $1,000).

The San Diego County Farm Bureau board of directors has recently approved the plan to incorporate the SDRILG as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, a process which is expected to be completed within the next 30 days. When the enrollment period has closed, the group will begin collecting the more detailed information about the properties being enrolled with the RWQCB. This summer, the group will research and hire the engineering consulting firm that will provide the technical assistance needed to comply with the water monitoring regulations.

To enroll in the San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group at the current rate, call the Farm Bureau office today at (760) 745-3023 or go to www.sdfarmbureau.org and click on the “Irrigated Lands Group” link.