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MORANDUM <br /> a <br /> 0 E ` ATTACHMENT 2 <br /> CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY OL BOARD - CENTRAL VALLEY REGION <br /> 3443 Routier Road, Suite A Phone: (916) 361-5600 <br /> Sacramento, CA 95827-3098 ATSS Phone: 8-495-5600 <br /> TO: Robert Evans FROM: Rudy Schnagl <br /> DATE: 13 August 1990 SIGNATURE: <br /> SUBJECT: CITY OF TRACY SLUDGE MANAGEMENT DATED JULY 1990 <br /> At your request, I reviewed those sections of the subject report addressing soils and <br /> proposed agricultural operations. Overall , the report does a good job of addressing <br /> these topics. I have placed minor comments in the margins and my major comments are <br /> listed below. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the comments. <br /> 1. On page 17, it is pointed out that only 50% of the nitrogen becomes available in <br /> the first year after a sludge application. This is a reasonable assumption, but <br /> there is no consideration given to the remaining 50% that is released in <br /> subsequent years. The slow release of the N over time should be taken into <br /> consideration when developing application rates over a multiyear period. <br /> 2. On page 23, proposed cropping patterns are discussed. Department of Health <br /> Services should be consulted to verify that sludge can be applied as <br /> proposed when growing these crops. <br /> 3. Fall applications of fertilizer materials does not provide the best water quality <br /> protection for the reasons noted in the report - the material is subject to <br /> leaching from winter rains. Since soil compaction is a serious problem that can <br /> be reduced by fall applications, what I would suggest is a monitoring program to <br /> see if significant leaching occurs at the site. If it appears to be a problem, <br /> timing of applications should be changed. <br /> 4. Monitoring of the crops being grown (leaf analyses) may also be a useful tool in <br /> determining whether nitrogen application rates are appropriate. <br />