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Information Sheet IS-5 Reissued Waste Discharge Requirements General Order R5-2013-0122 Existing Milk Cow Dairies • The discharges involve the same or similar types of wastes, • The discharges require the same or similar treatment standards, and • The discharges are more appropriately regulated under general WDRs rather than individual WDRs. Dairy facilities are appropriately regulated by a general order because they: (a) involve similar types of operations, where animals are confined and where their wastes are managed by onsite storage, land application, or removal offsite; (b) the discharges from these facilities, which are primarily composed of animal waste, are similar; (c) the dairies are subject to regulations that impose the same or similar treatment standards; (d) discharges of dairy wastes have the same potential to impact waters of the state; and, (e) given the large number of facilities and their similarities, the dairies are more appropriately regulated under a general order. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS, PLANS, AND POLICIES Water Quality Control Plans The Central Valley Water Board has adopted Water Quality Control Plans (Basin Plans)for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins (4th ed.) and for the Tulare Lake Basin (2"d ed.). These two Basin Plans designate the beneficial uses of groundwater and surface waters of the Central Valley Region, specify water quality objectives to protect those uses, and include implementation programs for achieving water quality objectives. The Basin Plans also incorporate, by reference, plans and policies of the State Water Board, including the State Anti- Degradation Policy and State Water Board Resolution 88-63 (Sources of Drinking Water Policy). The Dairy General Order contains requirements necessary to bring the discharges of waste from the dairies into compliance with the Basin Plans, including requirements to meet the water quality objectives and protect beneficial uses specified in the Basin Plans, and other applicable plans and policies. Beneficial Uses of Surface Water and Groundwater The State Water Board adopted statewide standard definitions for beneficial uses of surface and ground waters. These standard definitions were used to identify the existing and potential future beneficial uses contained in the Basin Plans. Consideration also was given to the practicability of restoring uses which may have been lost because of water quality. Surface Waters: Pursuant to Chapter II of the Basin Plans, the beneficial uses of surface water may include: municipal and domestic supply; agricultural supply; industrial process supply; industrial service supply; hydro-power generation; water contact recreation; non-contact water recreation; warm freshwater habitat; cold freshwater habitat; migration of aquatic organisms; spawning reproduction and/or early development; wildlife habitat; navigation; rare, threatened, or endangered species; groundwater recharge; freshwater replenishment; aquaculture; and preservation of biological habitats of special significance. The Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins Plan includes four additional beneficial use designations not specified in the Tulare Lake Basin Plan (agricultural stock watering, commercial and sport fishing, estuarine