10/2/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background : Effects of stormwater runoff carrying pollutants from all land uses into our river, lakes and estuaries have become a national problem. The citrus community came forward in 1998 and began working on what is now know as the Water Quality/Quantity BMPs for Indian River Citrus Groves . The growers have adopted this manual and best management practices are being implemented when economically feasible . In an effort to increase the number of acreage under BMP implementation, Liberta Scotto , Water Quality Extension Agent, requested funding from the Indian River County portion of the Indian River Lagoon License Plate Program under the supervision of St . Johns River Water Management District. Fifteen dollars from the sale of each Lagoon license plate is combined with other funding and used to restore and protect the most diverse estuary in North America. At least 80 percent of the plate proceeds go to habitat restoration and up to 20 percent to environmental education focusing on the lagoon . The Water Management District is making $ 50 , 000 available from these funds to be used here in Indian River County . Indian River County will match that with $ 10, 000 of in-kind services . The $ 50, 000 will assist in improving water quality in the Indian River Lagoon by the use of a cost- share mechanism through the Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District and USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Natural Resource Conservation Service to allow citrus growers to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs ) . These conservation practices are designed to achieve the greatest agronomic efficiency in food and fiber production, while limiting the offsite effects of agricultural operations and simultaneously maintaining an economically viable farming operation for the grower. In essence, the grove owner (Cooperator) submits an application with the Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District (IRSWCD ) . The cooperator then meets with the water quality extension agent (Liberia Scotto) and reviews the BMP ' s and their importance to the Indian River Lagoon . After IRSWCD staff reviews the application, the application is ranked based on defined criteria along with preliminary plans and cost estimates . The St . Johns River Water Management District personnel are then consulted to insure that the submitted proposals conform to their funding guidelines . The IRSWCD then prepares a recommended list of eligible projects to the Board of County Commissioners for funding upon completion of proposed BMP ' s . After acceptance by the Board of County Commissioners , staff then prepares a Conservation Plan before installation of BMP ' s may proceed. After the cooperator agrees through an Operation and Maintenance Plan to properly operate and maintain the BMP ' s for the life span of the practice, installation may proceed with the BMP . Upon completion of the installation of the BMP , the IRSWCD staff determines if it complies with the plans and specifications as approved . Once certified as complete, the cooperator prepares invoices of the expenditures and submits them to Indian River County through the IRSWCD . The cooperator receives reimbursement from the County upon authorization of the IRSWCD . The County then submits for reimbursement of the funds from the St. Johns River Water Management District. RECOMMENDATION : Staff recommends acceptance of the funding for the contract as written. October 2 , 2001 48 J 3 :J v