The RWQCB is the regional arm of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), which is the State agency that oversees water rights and water quality under the Porter-Cologne and Clean Water Acts. The Water Boards’ program to regulate discharges from irrigated agriculture is called the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, or ILRP.

Information on who is required to enroll in the ILRP (aka “Ag Order”) can be found on the RWQCB’s program website, as well as information on how to enroll or terminate a ranch/operation, cooperative programs for compliance, workshops, technical assistance, and enforcement.

The Agriculture Water Quality Alliance is a partnership of agriculture industry groups, resource conservation agencies, researchers, and environmental organizations working towards the following vision:

Together we will protect and enhance water in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) and the adjacent watersheds while sustaining a world class production agriculture region through voluntary collaboration with managers of agricultural and rural lands.

Preservation, Inc’s Executive Director, Sarah Lopez, serves as the Agriculture Representative on the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, or “SAC.” The SAC was established by Federal law to assure continued public participation in the management of the Sanctuary. The Agriculture Representative acts as a liaison for questions, concerns and ideas about the MBNMS and/or AWQA from members of the ag community.