08/19/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Executive Summary The restoration goals mandated by state and federal legislation, including the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) or the Numeric Nutrient Criteria (NNC) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), attempt to limit water quality impacts to environmentally sensitive areas. Although there are long-term, Targe infrastructure projects planned to protect these areas as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) to be constructed years in the future, the Water Farming concept is proposing to develop simple, shorter term options to reduce nutrient loads and help avoid further degradation of the state's water resources. The Indian River Citrus District comprises a narrow strip of land stretching 200 miles from the Daytona Beach area to West Palm Beach. In fact, it is so narrow that out of the six counties which make up the district, St. Lucie County is the only one wholly within its boundaries. There are numerous packinghouses, gift fruit shippers, major citrus sales agencies, several major citrus processing plants, and suppliers of related products located in the district. The IRCL is organized and structured with a chapter and by-laws designated to accomplish the specific purpose of protecting the interests of Indian River Citrus. It currently has in excess of 1,000 grower members, with roughly one-third of the acreage in grapefruit and the remaining two-thirds consisting of varieties of oranges and specialty fruit. Of the approximately 200,000 acres owned by League members, it is unfortunate that only approximately 90,000 acres are still in production today. Canker and greening are the leading causes of the reduction in production of commercial citrus in Florida. Although Florida growers and scientists have found ways to manage canker, greening is one of the most serious citrus diseases. In 2005, the Asian form of the disease was first reported in the United States in South Florida. Citrus greening is a bacterial disease that attacks the vascular system of the plant and once infected, there is no cure for the disease. In areas where the disease is endemic, citrus trees produce bitter, inedible fruit and eventually die. Due to the presence of canker and greening, all citrus nursery stock now has to be produced in insect -proof structures and in accordance with strict regulations. Agriculture officials, including the Citrus Health Response Program, are continuously working to find solutions to these problems. While the industry is researching and evaluating options to develop a citrus cultivar resistant or immune to these diseases, it may prove to be beneficial to work with innovative citrus growers at the present time. There may be a delay of up to 20 years while the research is field tested, nursery stock becomes available, and newly planted groves are fully productive once again. Instead of letting Targe portions of these agricultural areas remain fallow for extended periods or converted to more intensive crops, water farming would provide growers the opportunity for a source of income while preserving the potential for agricultural production in the future, if they choose not to continue with the program. Should the landowners choose to participate in the program presently, their participation would commit all of the use of their affected land to water farming. There are not many agricultural products that would withstand the extended periods of soil saturation or standing surface water and still produce a viable crop. In a longer term view, some landowners may voice concerns over the potential changes to the landscape of their lands after having created surface water areas or maybe even wetlands during their participation in water farming. Since the Florida Legislature encourages public-private partnerships Assessment of Water Farming on Agricultural Lands A_" OM 19