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• • • PROJECT TITLE• Indian River County Citrus Best Management Practices BACKGROUND: Many activities such as urban development, agriculture, industry, and regional water management have impacted the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and the Upper St. Johns River (USJR). Segments of these waterbodies that do not meet applicable water quality standards have been identified as `impaired" in accordance with Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act (FCWA). In an effort to educate the area citrus arm; ers about the water quality problems occurring in the IRL and USJR watersheds and to provide them with the tools necessary to ensure that their operations do not contribute to these problems. the Indian River Citrus League working cooperatively with individual growers, the Unix ersity of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and state and regional regulatory agencies compiled a "living' document entitled, `Water Quality Ovantity Best Management Practice's (BAVIPs) for Iridian River Area Citrus Groves". PROJECT SUMMARY: This project will provide Indian River County citrus growers with technical support in the identification on BMPs and financial support for the implementation of BMPs In order to reach Indian River County citrus growers in a timely manner the opportunity for cost sharing will be advertised through a varietyof methods (newsletters, web sites, newspaper articles, phone calls, etc.) Staff from the Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District (IRSWCD) and,'or the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Distnct Conservationist will meet with prospective candidates to assess their needs with respect to the program objectives. IRSWCD will assist each applicant in conducting a "self assessment" for each grove that is included in the cost share application. This assessment will utilize the Grower Best Management Practices Checklist (Attachment A) developed by the Indian River Citrus Area Best Management Practices Implementation Committee. Once the appropriate practices have been identified for each grove the IRSWCD will identify those practices that are eligible for cost share in the Applicants Handbook titled Indian River Area Water Duality Ouantity Protection Program (Attachment B) While participation in this program is not contingent upon participation in any Conser\ ation Program administered by the USDA, enrollment in one or more of these programs is encouraged. For those growers that choose to participate in a USDA Conservation Program. a Conservation Plan for each grove will be developed by the IRSWCD in cooperation with the NRCS once the applicant has been approved. This plan will include but is not limited to nutrient management. pesticide management, irrigation water management, technical information and design. 03 '05`02