California Rice Commission
Regulatory Support

NewFields staff have worked with the California Rice Commission since 1992, representing them in negotiations with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board to develop an approved Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MRP) that meets the requirements of the Agricultural Waiver program. The MRP was one of the first of its kind, structured to meet rice farmers’ regulatory responsibilities while complementing other regional water quality programs. Results from about 20 years of historical rice pesticide monitoring were employed to focus the MRP on environmental quality questions of the greatest importance to the California public and rice industry. NewFields continues to work with CRC in developing an efficient and effective approach to improving the quality of return flows, developing sound water quality policy for areas associated with rice production, and projecting future pollutant loads from California agriculture.

NewFields staff also prepared reports for the California Rice Industry Association targeted at non-industry readers and focused on adapting rice culture to California’s natural environment, the use of water for irrigation of rice, and the impact of rice production on water quality and wildlife. A report was also prepared for the environmental community and major clients of the rice industry, presenting an environmental and conservation balance sheet that detailed challenges, efforts and successes relative to environmental stewardship.