Vineyard properties in Napa County and the Sonoma Creek watershed with five or more acres planted to winegrapes are required to comply with a new water quality control permit adopted last year.

The Regional Water Board approved Third-Party Programs to assist growers in complying with the new permit. The approved Third-Party Programs include the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) program, the Sonoma and Napa Resource Conservation Districts (RCD) LandSmart program and the California Land Stewardship Institute’s Fish Friendly Farming program. All Third-Party Programs will work with growers to help them meet the permit requirements to develop and verify a Farm Plan. Working with Third-Party Programs can reduce the fees growers pay to the Regional Board, lower the amount of monitoring and paperwork required, and provide helpful guidance through the compliance process. Growers already involved in any of these programs will be able to more easily comply with the permit requirements.

Vineyard properties in the Napa River and Sonoma Creek watersheds with five or more acres planted to winegrapes are required to comply with a new water quality control permit adopted in June 2017. Recently, the SF Bay Regional Water Board approved Third-Party Programs to assist growers in complying with the new permit.

Approved Third-Party Programs include:

• Sonoma County Resource Conservation District LandSmart Program*
• Napa County Resource Conservation District LandSmart Program*
• California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) program
• California Land Stewardship Institute’s Fish Friendly Farming program.

*Includes option for Sustainability In Practice (SIP) Certified vineyards

If subject to the permit, growers will receive a letter from the Regional Board soon. Below is a brief summary of key deadlines:

Deadlines for Vineyards:

By July 12, 2018: Submit a ‘Notice of Intent to Comply’ (NOI) to the Regional Board (form available here soon). Growers who wish to have their Farm Plan verified by a Third-Party Program such as CSWA should identify the program on the NOI.

By July 2020: Develop and verify Farm Plan and implement actions to address vineyard erosion, pesticide and nutrient risks.

By July 2023: Address bed and bank erosion issues identified in Farm Plan (where applicable).

By July 2027: Address unpaved road erosion issues identified in Farm Plan (where applicable).

*Note: All deadlines have been extended by one year for properties within the burn perimeter of last year’s fires. View this letter and this map to see if a property qualifies.

See the full permit and learn more about the permit process and sign up for email updates from the Water Board.