REGULATIONS AND GROWER RESPONSES TO REDUCE NITROGEN LOSSES IN CALIFORNIA

摘要

Protecting the water quality of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (USA) remains an important goal in developing water quality protection policies in spite of rapid shifts in California's regulatory environment Agricultural areas are important sources of nitrogen in surface waters that discharge into the Monterey Bay. To improve water quality in agricultural areas our work entails a two-pronged approach: a fine-scale water quality monitoring program that explicitly links nutrient concentrations to land use, and communicating the results through non-threatening outreach programs to educate stakeholders concerned with the causes of water quality impairment. The Pajaro River has high nitrate concentrations in the fall, but many creeks have elevated dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations throughout the year. As a result growers have taken a proactive role to reduce N losses. By attending water quality courses and working with researchers and extension agencies, many growers and ranchers are taking steps to address water quality issues. Even though these growers may represent a more proactive part of the farming population it suggests grower-initiated efforts to improve water quality has considerable promise. Finally, as the regulatory apparatus in the region and the state has taken shape, the incentives for voluntary actions by growers has declined dramatically. If growers remain active participants in water quality improvement efforts, i. e. if they continue on-farm water quality monitoring and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs), it will testify to their tenacity and genuine determination to maintain the health of the waters that drain into the Monterey Bay.