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M Noise Noise complaints associated with agricultural r c lnirht ores n re searly related to activities taking place morning. Such activities include operating tractors and spraying. Also, irrigation pumps, which often operate 24 hours a day, generate noise complaints. When possible, agricultural operations generally try to carry out their activities during the day. Unplanned events such as freezes, storms, and pests, however, often require nighttime or early morning activity. A noise related problem with irrigation pumps relates to their location on the agricultural property. Within the urban service area, irrigation pumps are usually located along the edge of r than near the interior of the site. agricultural property, rathe The reason pumps are located near the edge of agricultural property is that the pumps must be near a source of water. In the Urban Service Area, that source is usually a drainage canal located at the edge of the property. Within residential zoning districts, county land development regulations begin to restrict noise levels at 55 decibels. Noises that are incidental to the activities of bona fide agricultural operations, however, are exempt from noise regulations. Odor offensive odors from agricultural operations can be caused by several sources. These include animals and exhaust fumes from tractors and pumps. In the Urban Service Area, however, the usual sources are fertilizer and pesticides. Consistent with chapter 386, Florida Statutes, the county's Environmental Health Department regulates odors. Trespassing and Vandalism While the actual loss of property due to vandalism on agricultural land is small, owners of agricultural land go to great expense to prevent trespassing. Because land owners are often liable for injuries occurring on their property, trespassing is considered a major problem. The Indian River County Sheriff office reports that such trespassing occurs more often near residential areas. Although fences can be expensive and difficult to maintain, installing fences reduces this problem. Fences around groves, however, also restrict the access of grove workers and grove equipment. Caribbean Fruit Fly Host Plants To sell their fruit in certain foreign countries, citrus grove owners must certify that certain conditions are met. These conditions are that no Caribbean fruit fly host plants exist within 300 feet of the grove or that special pesticides were applied to the grove. Because the special pesticides are expensive, it is often less expensive for grove operators to pay nearby land owners to remove their host plants. Although much of this staff report addresses negative impacts of agriculture on residential uses, there are several benefits to living near agricultural areas. These benefits include large areas of open and green space, increased privacy, lack of traffic congestion, and an overall increase in "peace and quiet". Additionally, the above referenced impacts do not affect everyone equally. Houses at the perimeter of residential developments are more impacted than those located near the interior of the development. Also, as mentioned above, some people are not affected by spray drift. Finally, it is important to note that impacts such as noise odor and spraying often occurbn an intermittent basis and for a short duration. MAY 20, 1997 M 016 BCGr, 10.1 PAGE 481) 21