Land Application

Land Application is the addition of biosolids to land to condition the soil, fertilize crops or other vegetation grown in soils in order to supply nutrients and replenish soil organic matter. Land application can occur on agricultural land, forests, rangelands, or on disturbed land in need of reclamation. Land application of biosolids has been practiced for thousands of years and has been studied and researched extensively. For more information on biosolids land application view the links below.

• City of Los Angeles Land Application Fact Sheet
• U. S. EPA Land Application Fact Sheet
• U. S. EPA Guide to Part 503-Land Application Chapter

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Green Acres Farm

In August 2000, the City purchased a 4,688-acre farm named Green Acres in Kern County to ensure a reliable place to manage the City’s biosolids produced at the wastewater treatment plants. The farm is located approximately 16- miles southwest of Bakersfield and one mile northeast of Lake Buena Vista. The Farm has been a beneficial reuse site for biosolids generated by the City since 1994. The biosolids are used as a soil conditioner and fertilizer to help promote growth on sites where chemical fertilizers would otherwise have to be used to produce crops. Farm activities produce non-food chain crops such as wheat, corn, alfalfa, oats, Milo, and Sudan grass. After crops are harvested, they are sold as feedstock to local dairies.

Green Acres Farm has been a beneficial reuse site for reclaimed water generated by the City of Bakersfield since 1989. The use of the reclaimed water is governed by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Order No. 88-172. All crops are surface irrigated with reclaimed water using a border check system. When reclaimed water quantities are insufficient to satisfy crop demands, there are two other sources available:

1. Groundwater, which is pumped to the surface through a network of on-site wells
2. Water purchased from Kern Water District

The objectives of the Farm include the following:

• Managing biosolids in an environmentally sound, acceptable, and cost-effective manner
• Complying with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations
• Beneficially using Exceptional Quality Biosolids
• Maintaining a site that conforms to national Biosolids EMS standards

• Requiring our land appliers to comply with the provisions of the CWEA Manual of Good Practice for Agricultural Land Application of Biosolids

The biosolids are applied in bulk and managed as a Class A, EQ product in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. As a best management practice tool the City looks to, as guidance, the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Manual of Good Practice for Agriculture Land Application of Biosolids. At this time, the City contracts with Responsible Biosolids Management, Inc. (RBM) for the loading, transporting, and beneficial use of biosolids at Green Acres Farm. RBM land applies biosolids with conventional agricultural equipment such as manure spreaders, tractors, and front-end loaders. The biosolids are typically incorporated into the soil by means of plowing or disking. The City typically incorporates its biosolids into the soil within 30 minutes after it is off-loaded at the farm. The contract between RBM and the City specifies a minimum daily tonnage of 548 wet tons per day and is set to expire in September 2010.
If you would like to view a copy of the contract contact us at the information listed below.

Farming

Crops grown on the Farm include corn, alfalfa, Milo, wheat, rye, and Sudan grass. These acres produce slightly over tons of feed products in 2009. The City received $100,000.00 in crop revenue for fiscal year 2008-2009.

Of the six crops, wheat is grown on the largest number of acres and highest in yield. Corn is second in acreage and produces the highest yield. Milo is third in acreage and yield but might increase in the future because of changing demand. Farm staff indicated that they will follow the demand of local dairies, including planting more Milo if prices become as favorable for Milo as they are for corn.

2009-2010 Green Acres Crop Production

Click for larger image.

Download Green Acres fact sheet for more Information

To view farming operations click Green Acres Tour.

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Legal Challenge Against
Kern County Biosolids Ban

(Updated) Kern County voters, with the passage of Measure E in 2006, approved the ban on the import of the wastewater byproduct, biosolids. The City of Los Angeles, along with other affected Southern California counties and agencies, filed a federal lawsuit which was dismissed in November 2010.

On January 18, 2011, Kern County enforced the Measure E ordinance. The ordinance is effective January 19, 2011 and affected parties have to discontinue land application by July 19, 2011. In light of the enforcement of Measure E, the City of Los Angeles along with other plaintiffs on January 26, 2011 filed a complaint against the Kern County biosolids initiative and filed a motion seeking a preliminary injunction on April 22, 2011 to continue biosolids land application in Kern County pending the outcome of the case. On June 9, 2011, the Tulare County Superior Court granted Plaintiffs Southern California biosolids generators, contractors, haulers and farmers a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the ban while the case is heard. On September 7, 2011, the Court rejected Kern's legal challenges to the sufficiency of Plaintiffs' allegations that Measure E violates the federal Commerce Clause. On September 8, 2011, Kern filed a notice of appeal of the preliminary injunction ruling.

To view legal and other documents related to the lawsuit click the links below.

Court’s Decision

Complaint

• City of Los Angeles Complaint <<New

Preliminary Injunction

• Preliminary Injunction Motion <<New
• Court Decision Granting Motion for Preliminary Injunction ^^New^^

Declarations supporting Preliminary Injunction

• Professor Albert Page Declaration <<New
• Professor Charles P. Gerba, PH.D-Declaration <<New
• Professor Ian Pepper Declaration <<New
• Thomas Johnson Declaration <<New
• Traci Minamide Declaration <<New
• Greg Kester Declaration <<New
• Steve Stockton (RBM) Declaration <<New
• Kristie Lutrel (Sierra Transport) Declaration <<New
• Robert Fanucchi Declaration <<New

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Crops being harvested at the farm.

Farm manager standing in corn field.

Biosolids being off-loaded in field.

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