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• • R • 1.0 Introduction This handbook provides guidance to applicants (grove owners and grove caretakers) who wish to obtain funding under the Indian River Citrus Area (IRCA) Water Quality/Quantity Protection Program (WQQPP). It contains the necessary information to understand the program and the application form. Specific application procedures to be followed will vary depending on the sub -region where the farm is located and the local organization that has been contracted to deliver program funds on behalf of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). 2.0 Joint -Agency Water Resource Mandates The St. Johns River Water Management District (District) was created by the Water Resources Act of 1972 (Chapter 373, Florida Statutes). Section 373.016 sets forth the District's purpose and scope. Similarly, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has responsibility under sections 403.067 and 570.085, Florida Statutes. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: a) To provide for the management of water and related land resources; b) To promote the conservation, development and proper utilization of surface and groundwater; c) To develop and regulate dams, impoundments, reservoirs and other works to promote water storage, for beneficial purposes; d) To minimize degradation of water resources caused by the discharge of storm water; e) To preserve natural resources, fish and wildlife; and, f) To restore impaired waterbodies pursuant to the state's Total Maximum Daily Loads program. 3.0 Purpose of the Program This program has been established to promote agricultural BMPs (refer to section 5.0) in the IRCA, in order to achieve the goals and objectives described primarily in Section 2 0 (b), and to provide an overall water resource benefit to the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and Upper St. Johns River (USJR) watersheds. Through the program, FDACS will provide reimbursement for select agncultural practices that have potential water conservation, sediment control, and water quality benefits. It is anticipated that this program will provide area citrus growers with economic assistance that would facilitate their voluntary implementation of BMPs that would not otherwise be economically feasible. Revised 03/21/02 3