# Rule 403 Coachella Valley

Agricultural Handbook

Measures to Reduce Dust from Agricultural Operation s in the

Coachella Valley

Prepared by

South Coast Air Quality Management District

April 2004Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook



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Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook



### TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Section I Purpose

...... 1 Rule 403 Applicability 1

Conservation Practice Selection 2

Alternative Conservation Practices 3

Technical Justifications 3 Conservation Practice Implementation Guidance 3

Section II

Active Conservation Practices 4

Inactive Conservation Practices 5

Farm Yard Area Conservation Practices 7

Track-Out Conservation Practices 8 Unpaved Road Conservation Practices 9 Storage Pile Conservation Practices 10

Section III

Submittal Instructions for Alternative Conservation Practices 11

Section IV

Submittal Instructions for a Justification Statemen t 12

Section V Conservation Practice Self-Monitoring Form 13

Section VI Opting for Rule 403 general provisions 16 Failure to comply with Rule 403 17

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Boundaries of the Coachella Valley 1Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(1/17) April 2004 

## Section I
Purpose

To reduce the dust and corresponding PM10 emissions ( P articulate M atter less than 10 microns in diameter) generated from agricultural operations and to meet federal requirements to implement appropriate particulate matter reduction programs. 

## Rule 403 Applicability

Agricultural operations that have 10 contiguous acr es or less or are primarily used for the purpose of raising fowl or animals will remain exem pt from Rule 403. Agricultural operations in excess of 10 contiguous acres and are conducted wit hin the Coachella Valley (see Figure 1 below) can voluntarily implement the conservation p ractices and complete the self-monitoring form no later than January 1, 2005, and maintain th eir exemption from all Rule 403 requirements. After January 1, 2005, producers who do not implement the conservation practices become subject to all other Rule 403 requ irements. Failure to meet Rule 403 requirements may result in mandatory conservation c lass(es), required dust control plans, fines, or other penalties.



### FIGURE 1Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(2/17) April 2004 

## Section I
Conservation Practice Selection

Producers who voluntarily implement the minimum num ber of conservation practices listed under each category in Section II by January 1, 2005, and complete and maintain the self-monitoring form (Section V) will be exempt from the requirements of Rule 403. The list of conservation practices may be updated p eriodically to reflect any new developments in control technology. Producers that do not elect to implement sufficient conservation practices become subject to all Rule 4 03 requirements beginning January 1, 2005.
The list of conservation practices is divided into the six categories presented below. The italicized text underneath the category description s represent the minimum number of conservation practices to be implemented in order t o maintain a Rule 403 exemption. Producers can also choose alternative conservation practices or provide a technical justification if the minimum number of conservation practices for a category (e.g., inactive) can not be implemented on-site (see Secti ons III and IV).

1. Active - applicable to agricultural activities invo lved in disturbing the soil (not

applicable to established orchards, vine crops, nur series, range land, date groves and irrigated pasture).

(producers must cease activities during wind condit ions greater than 25 mph (as specified in AQMD Rule 403.1 and implement at least one of the other conservation practices. Additional information on the tilling p rohibitions is included Section II under the heading – Activity Modification)

2. Inactive - applicable to agricultural sites when no soil disturbance activities are being

conducted (not applicable to established orchards, vine cro ps, nurseries, range land, date groves and irrigated pasture)

(at least three of the conservation practices must be implemented within this category)

3. Farm Yard Areas - applicable to disturbed surfaces used by people or vehicles (e.g.,

equipment storage yards) on at least eight calendar days per year

(at least one of the conservation practices must be implemented within this category)

4. Track-Out - applicable to vehicles or other equipme nt carrying soil from an unpaved

surface to a paved public road

(at least one of the conservation practices must be implemented within this category)

5. Unpaved Roads - applicable to private unpaved roads used by producers

(producers must implement a surface treatment when more than 25 vehicles per day use an unpaved and at least one of the conservation practices must be implemented during other time periods)

6. Storage Piles - applicable accumulations of materia l

(at least one of the conservation practices must be implemented within this category)Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(3/17) April 2004 

## Section I

Alternative Conservation Practices

Producers can implement alternative conservation pr actices that are more suitable to their specific farming operations. Producers that elect to implement alternative conservation practices and want to qualify for the Rule 403 exem ption must provide a description of the alternative conservation practices to the AQMD. Please refer to Section III (page 11) of this Handbook for AQMD submittal instructions. 

## Technical Justifications

In the event that there are special technical (e.g. , non-economic) circumstances, including safety, which prevent implementation of the minimum number of conservation practices for each category in Section II, producers can subm it a justification statement to the AQMD. The justification statement must explain the reason(s) why the suggested minimum number of conservation practices within a c ategory can not be implemented on-site. Please refer to Section IV (page 12) of t his Handbook for AQMD submittal instructions. 

## Conservation Practice Implementation Guidance

Technical assistance with selecting, adopting, and implementing any of the conservation practices listed in Section II is available, free o f charge, from your local Farm Bureau, Resource Conservation District (RCD), or Natural Re sources Conservation Service (NRCS) office. Cost-sharing incentives to implemen t practices that reduce dust may also be available from these resource agencies. Phone n umbers of local Farm Bureau, Riverside County Cooperative Extension, RCD, and NR CS offices are listed below.

Farm Bureau/NRCS/RCD Offices
Riverside County Farm Bureau (951) 684-6732 (888) 3 83-5684
Riverside County Cooperative Extension (951) 683-6 491 (760) 863-8293
Riverside Resource Conservation District (951) 683 -7691
Indio NRCS offices (760) 347-3675Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(4/17) April 2004 

## Section II

1. Active Conservation Practices

Exempted operations: established orchards, date gro ves, vine crops, nurseries, range land, and irrigated pasture
Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must imple ment the Activity Modification conservation practice and at least one of the other conservation practices.
Activity Modification (Mandatory)
Cease agricultural tilling or soil mulching activit ies (does not include harvesting activities) during wind conditions in excess of 25 miles per hour (mph) consistent with AQMD Rule 403.1 paragraphs (d)(5) and (i)(3). A on e-day exemption from this prohibition is allowed if wind conditions in excess of 25 mph have occurred on six hours or more hours on each of two previous consecutive d ays. Additionally, if 25 mph wind conditions have occurred during sixty or more cumul ative hours of active operations within a calendar month, the tilling / soil mulchin g prohibitions will no longer be applicable for the remainder of the month. To invo ke these exemptions, records of wind
conditions must be maintained and made available to the Executive Officer upon request.
Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must imple ment at least one of the other four conservation practices listed below.
1. Soil Moisture Monitoring
Ensure adequate soil moisture levels at the time of tillage or soil maintenance activities to prevent visible dust emissions from extending more than 100 feet from any source within the agricultural parcel.
2. Irrigation System
Irrigate or bed fields as soon as feasible based on Coachella Valley crop schedule after land leveling or releveling to prevent the field be ing left in a smooth dry condition. If the field will not be planted based on the Coachella Va lley crop schedule, then stabilize or implement Inactive Conservation Practices (e.g., su rface roughing, cover crop, etc.).
3. Minimum Tillage
Utilize conservation tillage practices to manage th e amount, orientation and distribution of crop and other plant residues on the soil surfac e year-round, while growing crops in narrow slots or tilled strips. Your local NRCS, RCD, or Riverside County Cooperati ve Extension office can provide guidance on various mi nimum tillage practices.

4. Mulching

Uniformly distribute plant residues, manure, or oth er suitable materials not produced on the site to the soil surface prior to disturbing th e soil.Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(5/17) April 2004 

## Section II

2. Inactive Conservation Practices

Exempted operations: established orchards, date gro ves, vine crops, nurseries, range land, and irrigated pasture

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must imple ment at least three of the following

eight conservation practices listed below.

1. Cover Crop

Establish a cover crop that establishes a minimum o f 60 percent ground cover on fields that will remain fallow until the next crop plantin g. Vegetative growth to be managed, if necessary, by mowing, grazing, approved chemicals o r other means that maintain the

necessary cover. (Native or volunteer vegetation that meets the mini mum ground cover requirements also represents an acceptable cover cr op).

2. Crop Residue Management

Maintain crop residues from previous crops that est ablishes a minimum of 60 percent ground cover on fields that will remain fallow unti l the next crop planting. Implements such as undercutters or sweeps that sever roots and lift weeds without burying or destroying much of the residue are most efficient f or maintaining surface cover.

3. Surface Roughening

Conduct surface roughening by bedding, rough diskin g, or tillage that leaves the surface
covered with stable clods. Disc fallow fields in t he early spring to get the winter weeds before they mature seed and before it dries out so clods will be produced. List or bed up in May to get early summer weeds before they seed a nd before it is too dry to bed.

4. Minimum Tillage

Utilize conservation tillage practices to manage th e amount, orientation and distribution of crop and other plant residues on the soil surfac e year-round, while growing crops in narrow slots or tilled strips. Your local Farm Bureau, NRCS, or Riverside County Cooperative Extension, office can provide guidance on various minimum tillage practices.Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(6/17) April 2004 

## Section II

2. Inactive Conservation Practices (Concluded)

Exempted operations: orchards, date groves, vine cr ops, nurseries, range land, and irrigated pasture

5. Cross Wind Stripcropping

Establish crops in strips established across the pr evailing wind erosion direction and arranged so that strips susceptible to wind erosion are alternated with strips having a protective cover that is resistant to wind erosion.

6. Field Windbreaks

Plant or maintain a single or multiple row of trees or shrubs adjacent to windward edge of the field as close to perpendicular as practical wi th the direction of erosive winds. Avoid conflicts with any above or below ground utilities. Local Farm Bureau, Riverside County Cooperative Extension, or NRCS office can pr ovide technical assistance on selecting proper tree species, appropriate spacing, and maintenance requirements

. 7. Ridge Roughness

Establish ridges by normal tillage and planting equ ipment as close to perpendicular as practical with the direction of erosive winds (not appropriate for unstable soils such as sands or loamy sands). After establishment, ridges shall be maintained through those periods when wind erosion is expected to occur, or until growing crops provide enough cover to protect the soil from wind erosion.

8. Wind Barriers

Plant or maintain perennial or annual plants inters persed throughout a crop field as close to perpendicular as practical with the direction of erosive winds. To be effective, the selected plant(s) must create a stand at least thre e feet tall. Selection of plants for wind barriers should favor species or varieties tolerant to herbicides used on adjacent crops. Local Farm Bureau, Riverside County Cooperative Ext ension, RCD, or NRCS offices can provide technical assistance on selecting proper tr ee species, appropriate spacing, and maintenance requirements

.Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(7/17) April 2004 

## Section II

3. Farm Yard Area Conservation Practices

Farm yard areas refer to disturbed surfaces used by people or vehicles (e.g., equipment storage yards) on at least eight calendar days per year.
Exempted operations: none

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must imple ment at least one of the four

conservation practices listed below.

1. Vegetation

Establish or maintain vegetation at sufficient dens ity to prevent wind driven dust.

2. Dust Suppressants

Apply water or approved chemical stabilizers at a s ufficient quantity and frequency to prevent wind driven dust.

3. Surface Area Modification

Apply material with low silt content (i.e., asphalt , concrete, recycled road base, or gravel to a minimum depth of four inches) at sufficient qu antity and frequency to prevent wind

driven dust.

4. Disturbed Surface Area Reduction

Reduce farm yard area by at least 50 percent from t he original disturbed surface area. To qualify, the original disturbed surface area must b e treated (e.g., vegetation, watering that establishes a crust, chemical stabilization, etc.) to prevent wind driven dust.Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(8/17) April 2004 

## Section II

4. Track-Out Conservation Practices

Exempted operations: none

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must imple ment at least one of the three

conservation practices listed below.

1. Track-Out Area Improvements

Pave or apply chemical stabilization at sufficient concentration and frequency to maintain a stabilized surface starting from the point of int ersection with the public paved surface, and extending for a centerline distance of at least 100 feet with an acceptable width to accommodate traffic ingress and egress from the sit e.

2. Track-Out Prevention

Check or clean the undercarriage and wheels on haul trucks before leaving field or install a track-out control device to prevent the track-out of soil onto paved public roads.

3. End of Row Equipment Turn Around Areas

Prohibit turning tractors and implements on paved p ublic roads if soil will be dropped on the road or clean pavement after practices have cea sed.

Note: the California Motor Vehicle Code (CVC) prohi bits the depositing of soil on highways and requires removal of such material. Te xt from CVC section 23112(b) and 23113(a) is included below.

CVC 23112(b)

No person shall place, deposit, or dump, or cause t o be placed, deposited, or dumped, any rocks, refuse, garbage, or dirt in or u pon any highway, including any portion of the right-of-way thereof, without the co nsent of the state or local agency having jurisdiction over the highway.

CVC 23113(a)

Any person who drops, dumps, deposits, or throws, o r causes or permits to be dropped, dumped, deposited, placed, or thrown, upon any highway or street any
material described in section 23112 ... shall immedia tely remove the material or
cause the material to be removedRule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(9/17) April 2004 

## Section II

5. Unpaved Roads Conservation Practices

Exempted operations: none

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must imple ment the surface improvement conservation practice when more than 25 vehicles pe r day will utilize the unpaved road and at least one of the other conservation practice s during all other times.

Surface Treatment (Mandatory)

Treat unpaved roads when more than 25 vehicles per day will use the road. Treatment options include water, mulch, chemical dust suppres sants or material with a low silt content (i.e., asphalt, concrete, recycled road bas e, or gravel to a minimum depth of four inches) such that visible dust emissions do not exc eed 20 percent opacity. Unpaved farm roads should be treated early enough so that mud wi ll not stick to tires and be carried onto paved public roads.

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must also implement at least one of the three conservation practices listed below.

1. Speed Control

Control speed to 15 miles per hour (mph) on untreat ed unpaved roads through worker notifications, signage, or any other necessary mean s.

2. Access Restriction

Restrict access to private unpaved roads currently used by the public either through signage or physical access restrictions.

3. Unpaved Road Treatments

Treat unpaved roads with water, mulch, chemical dus t suppressants, or low silt content material (i.e., asphalt, concrete, recycled road ba se, or gravel to a minimum depth of four inches) during heavy use periods.Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(10/17) April 2004 

## Section II

6. Storage Pile Conservation Practices

Exempted operations: none

Does not apply to storage of material with a low si lt content (i.e., gravel)

Producers that want a Rule 403 exemption must imple ment at least one of the four

conservation practices listed below.

1. Wind Sheltering

Enclose material in a three-sided barrier equal to the height of the material. Open side of the barrier should be oriented to the leeward (down wind) side of the material.

2. Watering

Apply water at a sufficient quantity and frequency to prevent wind driven dust.

3. Chemical Stabilization

Apply an approved dust suppressants at a sufficient quantity and frequency to prevent
wind driven dust. Best for use on storage piles subject to infrequent disturbances.

4. Covering

Install tarps, plastic, or other material as a temp orary cover. Coverings should be anchored to prevent wind from removing the cover.Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(11/17) April 2004 

## Section III

Submittal Instructions for Alternative Conservation Practices

Producers can voluntarily implement alternative con servation practices that are more suitable to their specific farming operations. How ever, producers that elect to implement alternative conservation practices and want to qual ify for the Rule 403 exemption must provide a description of the alternative conservati on practices to the AQMD.
Producers that want to implement alternative conser vation practices must notify the AQMD by December 1, 2004, or 30 days prior to start ing a new farming operation. The notification must include a description of the alternative conservation practice(s) that will be implemented on-site.
After receipt of a notification, the AQMD will cons ult with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the applicable Resource Co nservation District to determine the appropriateness of the alternative conservation pra ctice(s).
The AQMD will then notify the producer in writing i f the alternative conservation practices are considered acceptable. Producers wil l be exempt from implementing conservation practices on the source category (e.g. , active, inactive, unpaved roads, etc.) in which alternative conservation practices are pro posed until the AQMD has notified said producer whether the alternative conservation practices are acceptable. If the alternative conservation practices are deemed unacc eptable, the AQMD will notify the producer of such a determination and will establish a 30-day grace period to identify acceptable alternative conservation practices. Dur ing this 30-day grace period, the AQMD will work with the producer and the appropriat e resource agency personnel to identify acceptable alternative conservation practi ces.

Notifications can be mailed or delivered to:

Rule 403 Compliance South Coast Air Quality Management District

21865 East Copley Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4182

Notifications can also be submitted electronically to:

mlaybourn@aqmd.gov (909) 396-3066 (909) 396-3252Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(12/17) April 2004 

## Section IV

Submittal Instructions for Justification Statements

In the event that there are special technical (e.g. , non-economic) circumstances, including safety, which prevent implementation of the suggest ed minimum number of conservation practices within each category listed in Section II , a justification statement must be submitted in order for a producer to qualify for a Rule 403 exemption.
Producers that want to submit a justification state ment must notify the AQMD by December 1, 2004, or 30 days prior to starting a ne w farming operation.
The justification statement must explain the reason (s) why the suggested minimum number of conservation practices within a category can not be implemented on-site. After receipt of a justification statement, the AQM D will consult with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the applicable R esource Conservation District to determine the appropriateness of the information su bmitted.
The AQMD will then notify the producer in writing i f the justification statement(s) are considered acceptable. Producers will be exempt fr om implementing conservation practices on the source category (e.g., active, ina ctive, unpaved roads, etc.) in which a justification statement is proposed until the AQMD has notified said producer whether the justification statement is acceptable. If the justification statement is deemed unacceptable, the AQMD will notify the producer of such a determination and will establish a 30-day grace period to identify any alt ernative conservation practices or other possible justification statements. During this 30- day grace period, the AQMD will work with the producer and the appropriate resource agen cy personnel to identify alternative conservation practices or other possible justificat ion statements.

Justification statements can be mailed or delivered to:

Rule 403 Compliance South Coast Air Quality Management District

21865 East Copley Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4182

Justification statements can also be submitted elec tronically to:

mlaybourn@aqmd.govRule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(13/17) April 2004 

## Section V

Conservation Practice Self Monitoring Form

The following form has been prepared to assist prod ucers in documenting implementation of the conservation practices. Prod ucers are required to prepare and maintain this form at the farm offices to qualify f or a Rule 403 exemption. This information must be provided to the AQMD Executive Officer upon request. One form can be prepared and maintained for multiple farming operations provided that the conservation practices are the same at all sites.
A sample completed conservation practice self-monit oring form is also provided following the blank form.Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook(14/17)April 2004Section VFarm Name:Conservation Practice Self Monitoring Form1Producer Signature:Date:Active2Inactive2Farm Yard Area Track-Out Unpaved Roads StoragePiles√Activity Modification(Mandatory)(minimum of three)(minimum of one)(minimum of one)Surface treatmenton high use roads(minimum of one)(minimum of one frombelow)Cover CropVegetationTrack-Out AreaImprovements(Mandatory)Wind ShelteringSoil MoistureCrop ResidueManagementDust SuppressantsTrack-Out Prevention(minimum of one)WateringIrrigation SystemSurface RougheningSurface AreaModificationEnd of Row TurnAround AreasSpeed ControlChemicalStabilizationMinimum TillageMinimum TillageDisturbed SurfaceArea ReductionAlternative PracticesAccess RestrictionCoveringMulchingCross WindStripcroppingAlternative PracticesJustificationUnpaved RoadTreatmentsAlternative PracticesAlternative PracticesField WindbreaksJustificationSurface ModificationJustificationJustificationRidge RoughnessAlternative PracticesWind BarriersJustificationAlternative PracticesJustification1If you wish to choose different practices for different fields and/or farm areas, separate sheets must be filled out for each site.2The following operations are exempt from active and inactive land conservation practices: orchards, date groves, vine crops, nurseries, range land, andirrigated pasture.Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook(15/17)April 2004Section VFarm Name:AAAA FarmsConservation Practice Self Monitoring Form1Producer Signature:John SmithDate:6/19/99Active2Inactive2Farm Yard Area Track-Out Unpaved Roads StoragePiles√Activity Modification(Mandatory)(minimum of three)(minimum of one)(minimum of one)√Surface treatmenton high use roads(minimum of one)(minimum of one frombelow)√Cover CropVegetation√Track-Out AreaImprovements(Mandatory)Wind ShelteringSoil MoistureCrop ResidueManagementDust SuppressantsTrack-Out Prevention(minimum of one)Watering√Irrigation System√Surface RougheningSurface AreaModificationEnd of Row TurnAround Areas√Speed Control√ChemicalStabilizationMinimum TillageMinimum Tillage√Disturbed SurfaceArea ReductionAlternative PracticesAccess RestrictionCoveringMulchingCross WindStripcroppingAlternative PracticesJustificationUnpaved RoadTreatmentsAlternative PracticesAlternative Practices√Field WindbreaksJustificationSurface ModificationJustificationJustificationRidge RoughnessAlternative PracticesWind BarriersJustificationAlternative PracticesJustification1If you wish to choose different practices for different fields and/or farm areas, separate sheets must be filled out for each site.2The following operations are exempt from active and inactive land conservation practices: orchards, date groves, vine crops, nurseries, range land, andirrigated pasture.Rule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(16/17) April 2004 

## Section VI

Opting for Rule 403 General Provisions

AQMD in conjunction with local producers and staff from the Farm Bureau, NRCS, and RCDs have developed the conservation practices cont ained in this Handbook to be more appropriate for farming operations than the traditi onal dust control requirements for construction projects, landfills, and other dust so urces. Producers that do not voluntarily implement the con servation practices before January 1, 2005, or within 30 days of starting a farming opera tion at a new site would become subject to the general requirements contained in AQ MD Rule 403. The following is a general summary of the Rule 403 requirements.

• visible emissions prohibited from crossing the site property line [Section (d)(1)]

• at least one best available control measure must be implemented for each source [Section (d)(2)]

• upwind/downwind PM10 differential prohibited from e xceeding 50 μ g/m 3 [Section (d)(3)]

• all track-out must be removed within one hour if ma terial extends more than 25 feet from a site [Section (d)(4)]

• sites with more than five acres of disturbed surfac es or those with more than 100 cubic yards of import or export must install a trac k-out prevention device at each location where vehicles exit the site [Section (d)( 5)]

Producers that would like more information can obta in a copy of Rule 403 and the general Rule 403 Handbook, which details traditiona l best available control measures, by calling the AQMD at (909) 396-2000 or through the i nternet at:

www.aqmd.govRule 403 Coachella Valley Agricultural Handbook

(17/17) 2/17/04 

## Section VI

Failure to Comply with Rule 403

The intent of the AQMD is to work with producers an d local resource agencies (e.g., NRCS, RCDs, and Farm Bureaus, etc.) to reduce dust and th e corresponding PM10 emissions from agricultural operations through the voluntary imple mentation of good conservation practices. These emission reductions are necessary as part of the region’s efforts to attain State and Federal air quality standards. Failure to achieve complian ce with the State and Federal air quality standards by the mandated attainment date could res ult in Federal action that would significantly impact our region.
After January 1, 2005, failure to meet Rule 403 req uirements could subject the producer mandatory conservation class(es), required dust con trol plans, fines, or other penalties.