From: Samir Sheikh <Samir.Sheikh@valleyair.org>
Date: June 9, 2016 at 4:57:19 PM PDT
To: "Drake.Kerry@epa.gov" <Drake.Kerry@epa.gov>
Cc: Sheraz Gill <Sheraz.Gill@valleyair.org>, Dave Warner <dave.warner@valleyair.org>
Subject: Manure Land Application
Hi Kerry, please see the below write-up as per our discussion (much thanks to Dave's team for putting this together).   


The vast majority of manure generated from dairies and other cattle facilities in the San Joaquin Valley will be applied to cropland in the surrounding area because the manure is generally utilized as fertilizer to grow the crops that are fed to the cattle.  The manure used as fertilizer must be applied in accordance with Nutrient Management Plans that have been approved by the Regional Water Quality Control Board to avoid excessive application of nitrogen and other nutrients.  Liquid manure will always be applied on nearby cropland.  Solid manure may be applied to fields that are further away while a small amount may be composted and sold as a soil amendment.  District Rule 4570  -  Confined Animal Facilities specifies requirements and options to reduce VOC emissions from dairies and other cattle facilities in the San Joaquin Valley.  For land application of solid manure the most common option chosen to comply with the rule is to incorporate all solid manure within 72 hours of land application.  75% of the permitted dairy facilities have selected this option to comply with the manure land application requirements of District Rule 4570.  Of the 25% of dairies that have not selected this option, the majority of the solid waste will still be land applied, due to lack of other alternatives.

