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It is requested that the data presented herein be given formal consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at its regular meeting of October 4, 1994. DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS Since 1989, the County has participated in a 50/50 cost share program with the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) to plug abandoned artesian wells. As a result of this program, 72 wells have been plugged or repaired in Indian River County, saving approximately 16.7 million gallons per day (mgd) of ground water. Under the program, the County has allocated a total of $30,000 ($15,000 for utilities property, $15,000 for county -wide private property) on a fiscal year basis. In turn, SJRWMD has matched the county's funds with $30,000 of their own, resulting in a total of $60,000 per fiscal year allo(7Ated for well plugging. The original &greement for the well plugging program was executed on October 3, 1989 to plug abandoned wells on County Utilities property. In -March, 1990, the agreement was amended to apply county -wide. The original agreement has been amended four times as part of an annual renewal process. A fifth amendment to the agreement is now being brought to the Board for consideration to renew the contract through fiscal year 1994-95. ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS The Board of County Commissioners has approved the allocation of $15,000 in the Utilities Department budget and $15,000 in the Community Development Department budget for fiscal year 1994-95, for the County/SJRWMD well plugging cost share program. Abandoned flow wells result in the unnecessary consumption of ground water. Moreover, artesian flow wells tend to have high chloride levels, and in turn lower water quality in the surficial aquifer, which is commonly used for private potable wells. Renewal of the attached agreement will result in the continuation of an important and successful water quality and quantity protection program. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners renew the abandoned flow well plugging cost share agreement with the SJRWMD for FY 1994-95 and authorize the chairman to execute the attached agreement. ON MOTION by Commissioner Eggert, SECONDED by Commissioner Adams, the Board, by a 3-0 vote (Commissioner Macht and Commissioner Bird being absent), approved the renewal of the abandoned flow well plugging cost share agreement pursuant to recommendations by staff. AGREEMENT IS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE OCTOBER 4, 1994 CLERK TO THE BOARD 61 BOOK PACE j