| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, May 10, 2004 Media Contact: UC Cooperative Extension specialist presents dairy air quality workshops UCCE livestock air quality specialist Frank Mitloehner will present a curriculum he developed for the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program. Participants will get air quality background information and learn what the new air quality regulations require, what areas on dairy farms pose air quality problems and what conservation management practices (CMPs) they can implement to reduce dust emissions. The CMPs are grouped into four categories: unpaved roads, unpaved vehicle and equipment areas, overall management and corral/manure management. "The new law lists at least nine practices in each of the four categories," Mitloehner said. "At the meeting, dairy operators will have to pick one practice to implement out of each category." The deadline for submitting completed CMP plans is Dec. 31. The law also requires larger dairies to file air permits with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Mitloehner, dairy trade association field staff and air district representatives will help participants calculate whether their dairies need permits, provide the forms and assist in filling them out. The deadline to apply for permits is June 30. "Once dairy operators have completed the three-hour workshop, they will have learned about dairy air quality and fulfilled all the new regulatory requirements," Mitloehner said. The courses will be offered twice at each of eight locations, the first beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the second at 6 p.m. The meetings are free and pre-registration is not necessary: • May 25, Masonic Lodge, 1500 Viking St. (between Main and Highway 120), Escalon. For more information, contact J. P. Cativiela of the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program toll-free at (866) 662-3727. # # # http://news.ucanr.org |
