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Reconnection/Water Farming August 2014 Page 4 3. GROUND WATER STABILIZATION/RE-CHARGE In conjunction with the attributes of the improved surface water storage capability for the region, comes the closely linked benefit of improving ground water stabilization /re -charge and potentially reducing the long and short term effects of continual withdrawals from Surficial and the Upper Floridian Aquifer systems. 4. FLOOD CONTROL The concept of flood -control through storage is a proven and effective flood control mechanism. Opponents of Flood Control by Diversion will note that methodology of diversion is wasteful of freshwater resources; causes serious economic damage to coastal communities ; harmful to marine life; harmful to the recreational attributes of the lagoon and the associated tourist trade and will promote flood control by storage as necessary to the public interest. The initial thoughts in proposing this idea was a targeted volume reduction of 100,000 acre-feet. In a cursory review of the area in question and a working knowledge of the basins in general, this did seem to be an attainable number and one that would support the economic investment. While the thought process would support the ideal that any amount of stormwater reduction into the lagoon system was a worthwhile endeavor, reality moved that the volume reduction had to be of some significance to make a difference and to attract the interest of the Agencies who would be called upon to support this idea, both in words and in financial support. Those in attendance during these discussions were urged and cautioned that time was of essence as speculation was that while the current market rate for agricultural lands was hovering in the $5- 6,000 per acre range, there were already market indications these approximate per acre land values could double in a short time. The time period was 2001-2002. THE HISTORY OF THE RECOMMENDED RE -CONNECTION The roots of the recommended re -connection can be traced to the Flood Control Acts of 1948 and 1954, whereby the project/ area for this re -connection consideration was authorized by the United States Congress. This Congressionally authorized project called for the construction of a series of inter -connected reservoirs of which the largest was named the Indian River -St. Lucie County reservoir. These reservoirs as planned in these earlier flood control acts were to be located in the western portions of Indian River and St. Lucie Counties, essentially in the same geographical area as the current recommended re -connection project. The earlier supporting studies and documentation associated with the authorized plans identified historic natural flow patterns which mimic to a large extent the present day SFWMD and SJRWMD canal and levee systems. 9