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Californiaoegional Water Quality Coeol Board <br /> L'�N <br /> Central Valley Region <br /> Katherine Hart, Chair ° <br /> 11020 Sun Center Drive,4200,Rancho Cordova,California 95670-6114 <br /> Matthew Rodriquez (916)464-3291 •FAX(916)464-4645 Edmund G.Brown Jr. <br /> Secretap�for http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley Gnvcrrmr, <br /> Environmental Protection ,/E <br /> RECEIVED <br /> . DEC 2 0 2011 <br /> 19 December 2011 ENVIRONMENTAL.HEALTH <br /> PERMIT/SERVICES <br /> Mr. Jay Bexell <br /> Nationwide Agricultural Insurance <br /> 1100 Locust Street, Dept. 3010 <br /> Des Moines IA 50391-3010 <br /> MULCH WORK PLAN CONCURRENCE, QEIROLO PROPERTY, 8655 N. JACK TONE <br /> ROAD, SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY <br /> On 21 or 22 June 2011, about 500 gallons of CAN-17, an agricultural fertilizer consisting of <br /> calcium ammonium nitrate, discharged into a walnut orchard, killing three walnut trees and <br /> damaging two others. Britz-Simplot Grower Solutions delivered the CAN-17 and is taking <br /> responsibility for the assessment and remediation, and the walnut orchard is owned by Mr. <br /> Gaylan Qeirolo. <br /> California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region (Central Valley Water <br /> Board) staff received the 30 November 2011 Remediation Options Report prepared by <br /> Mr. John Minney for Nationwide Agricultural Insurance, who is managing the assessment and <br /> remediation on behalf of Britz-Simplot . The Remediation Options Report presents September <br /> 2011 soil sampling data from inside and outside of the spill zone. Central Valley Water Board <br /> staff concur with Mr. Minney's assessment that, at the time of the 7 September 2011 sampling, <br /> nitrogen was predominately in the upper two feet of soil, and did not extend beyond a five-foot <br /> depth. Calcium concentrations were similar inside and outside the spill zone. <br /> Remediation Options <br /> The Remediation Options Report presents two viable strategies to remove the nitrogen: <br /> excavation of affected soil and backfill with clean soil; or incorporate mulch to the affected <br /> area to facilitate biodegradation of the nitrogen. . Both remediation strategies are technically <br /> feasibile and could be conducted at similar costs. The excavation and backfill option <br /> introduces a different soil texture than the native material, but permits the walnut trees to be <br /> replaced within a week of excavation. The biodegradation option would retain the existing soil <br /> texture but would take longer to meet cleanup objectives and allow tree replacement. <br /> In an agricultural environment, the farmer needs to have as uniform a soil as is possible, to <br /> ensure that growth conditions are consistent throughout the orchard. The landowner, the <br /> adjacent landowner, the walnut orchard lessee, and Central Valley Water Board staff favor the <br /> bioremediation option, while accepting the added length of time for treatment. <br /> California Environmental Protection Agency <br /> prd Recycled Paper <br />