It has been raining here and we were concerned with the water runoff that was occurring from the Paul Hobbs Winery orchard conversion.  It was truly amazing to visit the site.  Several people had called into the Water Board and it was feeling like there would not be anyone available until the next day to visit the site, so after researching what the Water Board would require for a sediment sample, we went to collect the samples ourselves.  

Here are some photos from our visit.  The scene was devastating and the dreary rain only expressed the sadness that we felt seeing 40+ acres of dead trees and barren land. Only two weeks ago this space was very alive!

As we were leaving we saw that the Ag Commissioners office and the Water Board had arrived.  We exchanged information and gave them our samples and they seemed to agree that this was not acceptable practices for the construction site.  It is clear that it will be up to us to monitor the conversion and report to the appropriate agencies if we see any violations.  There is not enough staff to make sure the "farmer" is following "the rules". 

Hopefully this is a win for WCA, as we were told the project would be red flagged until the drainage issue was remedied!  

Bay Area Air Quality Management District is exempt from enforcing air quality standards for agriculture unless a grinder is present. 
The current process is under the purview of the Sonoma County Agriculture Commission ONLY. And-once a Grinder arrives onsite that work will be permitted by the BAAQMD. FOR NOW IF YOU SEE DUST CALL the Ag Commission at (707) 565-2371

See Codes Below:

Exempt Agriculture Operation Health and Safety Code 41701 and 410701.4 G & H exempt. 
Grinder on site permitted in our office-permit conditions PERP. 
Come with permit conditions.
I just learned that the current Orchard Conversion process 
underway is exempt from the jurisdiction of the Bay Area
Air Quality Management District. Their mandate is contained within the State Health and Safety code 41701 and says this: " 41700. (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 41705, a person shall not discharge from any source whatsoever quantities of air contaminants or other material that cause injury, detriment, nuisance, ......"

However: 
H&S Code 41704. States: "Section 41701 does not apply to any of the following: ...... (g) Agricultural operations necessary for the growing of crops or raising of fowl or animals. (h) The use of other equipment in agricultural operations necessary for the growing of crops or raising of fowl or animals." 
see for entire text of codes. 
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=hsc&group=41001-42000&file=41700-41712