Water officials rarely mount full studies of dairy proposals, and then only in major cases such as Boswell's. Boswell applied for state permits because Kings County required them, Wass says. Of the roughly 600 dairies in the region between Mariposa and Kern counties, only 12 have state-issued permits. Water quality officials blame shortages of time and money for the lack of permits and inspections. Unlike factories, sewage plants and other industries, dairies do not pay annual fees that might finance more inspectors.
Dairymen say they pay their way by fueling the economy.
If we were to treat them like other dischargers, the work load would be too much. Two inspectors including one who arrived in October handle dairies between Mariposa and Kern counties. Still, with so few inspectors, visits mainly are triggered by complaint. The ideal number would be one inspector for every 100 dairies. But now there's a new worry for water officials the trend for herds to balloon to levels proposed by Boswell.