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a <br /> I. INTRODUCTION <br /> This report contains the results of the Nitrate Loading Study, Soil Suitability Study and Manure <br /> Management Plan conducted by Chesney Consulting for the existing Danny Rocha Dairy Facility. <br /> The subject dairy is located northeast of the city of Tracy, at the northwest corner of Arbor Road and <br /> Paradise Road. The facility is currently milking 750 Holstein cows with associated support stock. <br /> There is no proposal at this time to increase the size of the facility, or the number of animal units. <br /> The ranch is situated on approximately 170 acres with the actual dairy facility occupying 9&_11 r^ <br /> approximately 28 acres of the total acreage. <br /> This study is in compliance with the requirements of Section.9-1110 item (c) and Section <br /> 9-1105.2(d) of the San Joaquin Community Development Title. The on-site sewage disposal <br /> systems for two proposed single-family residences as described herein, complies with the Sewage <br /> Standards of San Joaquin County, and the EPA Desilzn Manual for On-Site Wastewater Treatment <br /> and Disposal Systems. <br /> The San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department(EHD) considers nitrate contamination a <br /> serious threat to surface waters and groundwaters of the County. High nitrate concentrations in <br /> drinking water can have deleterious effect on infants and fetuses, and may also induce abortion in <br /> cattle. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined 10 mg per liter of <br /> nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), equivalent to 45 mg per liter nitrate (NO3) in drinking water to be the <br /> Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). <br /> By conducting these types of investigations,the County is better able to locate, quantify and monitor <br /> the potential for nitrate impact and impose prevention and/or mitigation measures. Future <br /> investigations of this type may include comprehensive nutrient and irrigation water management <br /> plans for all new and/or existing confined animal facilities. <br /> The purpose of this investigation was threefold: <br /> ā‘ Of the total dairy site acreage, 10 acres each have been sold to two separate parties. Written <br /> agreements have been formed between these owners and Mr. Rocha (See Appendix H) for Mr. <br /> Rocha to continue to farm and apply nutrient water to a portion of these two parcels, as <br /> illustrated in Table 1 on Page 3. Therefore, EHD wants assurance that sufficient acreage <br /> remains over the en-t-ir-e—d-ai-Fy779ite to apply dairy nutrients without exceeding crop requirements. <br /> ā‘ To ensure that the septic systems proposed for the two new single family residences will <br /> function properly as intended, and meet the requirements of the EHD. This will be <br />;l determined through percolation testing and soil analysis. <br /> I <br /> ā‘ This document also serves as a directive toward best management practices of the nutrients <br /> (solids and liquids). Two major improvements are scheduled to be implemented on the <br /> Rocha Dairy. The first improvement will be a second holding pond to be excavated to the <br /> west of the existing pond. This will allow for greater control over nutrient water distribution <br /> and management. The second improvement is two tailwater ponds to be installed near the <br /> northwest corner of the ranch and next to the open corrals, to recycle tailwater back to top of <br /> the fields and prevent possible intrusion of nutrient irrigation water into Tom Paine Slough. <br /> 2 <br /> Chesney Comidting <br /> a <br />