Surface Water Follow-Up
The term “Follow-Up” is short for Surface Receiving Water Follow-Up Implementation. This is a requirement that comes from Ag Order 4.0 and applies to every ranch on the Central Coast. The goal of Follow-Up is to resolve repeated exceedances of water quality limits in agricultural watersheds. To that end, it requires source identification and the reduction of water quality impairments. It also requires actions like education, more monitoring/reporting, and increased management practices. These activities must measurably improve water quality… enough for area streams to meet Ag Order numeric limits.
Getting Started with Individual or Third Party Follow-Up
Individual: Growers who choose to conduct Follow-Up individually need to submit their own Work Plan, Sampling & Analysis Plan (SAP) and Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) to the Central Coast Water Board. The deadlines for these have all expired, and individuals without a Work Plan, SAP and QAPP are at risk of enforcement by the Water Board. For more information about Individual Surface Water Follow-Up, click here.
Third Party: Preservation, Inc. has already submitted a Work Plan, SAP and QAPP on behalf of our participating members. Our Work Plan is currently in revision and has not yet been approved by the Water Board. Please contact office@ccwqp.org for more information. Members with good-standing participation status in Third Party Follow-Up do not need to submit their own Work Plan, SAP or QAPP. Click here to opt in to the Third Party Follow-Up program.
Third Party Surface Water Follow-Up Program (SWFP)
Participants in the Third Party SWFP need to do three things:
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- Observe your runoff (discharge)
- Perform Self-Assessment, based on your observations
- Update Farm Plan management practices
- Repeat Steps 1-3!
Your Self-Assessment results should inform your management updates, and your management updates should result in measurably improved Self-Assessment results.
Need help getting started with your Farm Plan? Visit our Farm Plan page or attend a Workshop.
Want to learn more about Self-Assessment and observing your runoff? Visit our Self-Assessment page or attend a Workshop.
Already have Self-Assessment results and you’re ready to update your management practices, but not sure where to start? Visit our Updating Your Farm Plan page or attend an Advanced Training.