CV-SALTS – Managing Salt and Nitrate in the California Central Valley
For Permittees
Two Options Available for Salt Compliance
While the Phase 1 Prioritization & Optimization Study is underway (10 to 15 years), there are two options available for salt compliance. Under both options, existing salt management and monitoring requirements will continue.
Option 1: Conservative Individual Option
Individual permittee is responsible for reducing salt accumulation.
Stringent numeric water quality permit limits apply based on protecting the agricultural and/or municipal beneficial uses.
P&O Study participation is optional.
Option 2: Alternative Cooperative Option
Permittee elects to join region-wide P&O Study with fellow permittees.
Payment of an annual fee to support P&O Study is required.
Current permit performance levels must be maintained, while more stringent requirements are deferred during Phase I.
The P&O Study will help to determine the next permitting options for Phase II.
Benefits of the Alternative Cooperative Option:
Salinity Fee Payment
The Central Valley Water Board issued Notices to Comply to all permittees in January 2021.
You can still participate if you did not participate and pay by 12/31/21. Permittees who wish to participate are required to pay all annual fees as if you joined in 2021, plus a fee for joining after the initial year. If you did not renew your participation for 2022, you can still participate in 2023 by paying for 2022 and 2023, plus the reinstatement fee. Such fees are calculated and included in the payment portal.
The payment window for paying annual fees will be open to participation from late May to late August 2023. The portal will add a 15% late fee after July 31, and late payments will be accepted until October 31. After that date, participation has lapsed, and your facility permit will not be shown as participating in the P&O Study in the list provided to the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the reinstatement fee will apply.
If you have a newly approved permit or your CV-SALTS ID does not appear in the online portal, please contact the CVSC at dcozad@cvsalinity.org.
See the Salt Control Program for more information on the program.