About - East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition
What We Are
- A group formed by agricultural interests that operates similar to an agricultural cooperative. Member dues collectively pay for administering a “group permit” on behalf of members to be in compliance with the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program.
What We Are Not
- A commodity group
- A lobbying entity
- A trade organization
- A special interest group
Why We Were Organized
- The Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) was adopted in 2003 by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board). To be in compliance with the regulation, owners or operators of irrigated cropland in the Central Valley have two options:
- Obtain an individual permit for each farming operation.
- Join a group that represents farmers across a specific geographic region.
- Throughout the Central Valley, there are seven water quality coalitions or third-party groups organized to represent farmers in the ILRP. The California Rice Commission formed the only commodity specific coalition. These coalitions handle administrative functions, operate water monitoring programs to identify problems in agricultural areas then work with members to solve the problems identified.
How We Started
- In November 2003, ten local farm groups and county agencies formed a “Co-op” or water quality coalition to give growers an option for complying with the ILRP. In November 2005, the East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition (ESJWQC) was granted non-profit status as a 501 c5 organization by the Internal Revenue Service. The Coalition is managed by a Board of Directors and Executive Director. Technical consultants are used to collect and analyze water samples and prepare reports to the Water Board on coalition activities.
Core Objectives
- Develop and implement an economical and scientifically valid water monitoring program for area rivers, agricultural drains and groundwater basins.
- File required reports with the Water Board to maintain member’s compliance with the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program.
- Spread costs equitably among farm land owners/operators who are coalition members.
- Communicate to landowners where water monitoring indicates problems and work to solve those problems.
Water Monitoring Program Objectives
- Characterize discharge from irrigated agriculture in the Coalition region
- Identify locations where water quality objectives are violated
- Identify potential source(s) of the exceedances
- Promote to landowners the implementation of management practices to address water quality problems when needed.
Coalition Membership
- Over 3,000 active members
- Over 600,000 enrolled acres
Membership Dues Cover:
- State Water Board Per Acre Fee (adjusted annually)
- Operation of surface water monitoring program
- Operation of groundwater monitoring program
- Membership management and administration
- Executive Director
- Technical Program Management
ESJWQC Region
- The Coalition encompasses the lower Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced River watersheds and includes the irrigated farm land that falls into Stanislaus and Merced counties. These irrigated farmlands lie south of Stanislaus River, east of the San Joaquin River, north of the San Joaquin River up to and including irrigated farmland at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east.
For more information please see our frequently asked questions (FAQs) below.
Board of East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition
| Tom Roduner Board President Vice-President, WP Roduner Cattle & Farming Merced |
Breanne Vandenberg Board Secretary Executive Director, Merced County Farm Bureau |
| David Brush Board Treasurer Mid Valley Ag Services/Almond Grower |
Sean Landberg Boardmember Senior Regional Manager, Gallo Vineyards, Inc Livingston |
| Christina Beckstead Boardmember Executive Director, Madera County Farm Bureau |
Patrick Machado Boardmember PCA |
| Mark Hutson Boardmember Almond and Walnut Grower |
Joey Biscay Boardmember Grower, Wine Grapes, Raisins, Almonds |
| Domonic Rossini Boardmember Grower |
John Mendonca Boardmember Grower |
| Loren Scoto Boardmember Grower |
|
Non-Voting Members
| Caitie Diemel Executive Director Stanislaus County Farm Bureau |
Wayne Zipser Member Relations Stanislaus County Farm Bureau |
Staff of East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition
| Caitie Diemel Executive Director |
Wayne Zipser General Manager |
| Denelle Flake Grower Relations |
Abi Fair Grower Relations |
| Alexxis Rudich Grower Relations |
Ofelia Barriga Grower Relations |
| Jennifer Sanchez Membership Manager |
Alissa Barker Membership Assistant |
| |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition Boundaries
The East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition (ESJWQC) represents all "dischargers" that have paid membership dues and who own or operate irrigated lands east of the San Joaquin River within Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties and portions of Calaveras County.
Use the map below to determine if any or all of your parcels are in the ESJWQC. Zoom in or out and use the arrows as needed to make this determination. If you wish to view a larger map click here.
View ESJWQC Boundary in a larger map |
East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition Annual Reports
- 2021-2022 ESJWQC Annual Report (36.2 MB)
- 2020 ESJWQC Annual Report (36.2 MB)
- 2019 ESJWQC Annual Report (43.9 MB)
- 2018 ESJWQC Annual Report (8.3 MB)
- 2017 ESJWQC Annual Report (24 MB)
- 2016 ESJWQC Annual Report (24 MB)
- 2015 ESJWQC Annual Report (38 MB)
- 2014 ESJWQC Annual Report (10.5 MB)
- 2012-2013 ESJWQC Annual Report (11 MB)
- 2011 ESJWQC Annual Report (11 MB)
- 2010 ESJWQC Annual Report (4 MB)
- 2009 ESJWQC Annual Report (8 MB)
- 2008 ESJWQC Annual Report (8 MB)
- 2007 ESJWQC Annual Report (6 MB)
- 2006 ESJWQC Annual Report (5 MB)
- 2005 ESJWQC Annual Report (4 MB)
© 2024 East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition
1201 L Street Modesto CA 95354 USA (209) 846-6112