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1 . 0 Introduction <br /> This handbook provides guidance to applicants (grove owners and grove <br /> caretakers ) who wish to obtain funding under the Indian River Citrus Area ( IRCA ) <br /> Water Quality/Quantity Protection Program (WQQPP ) . It contains the necessary <br /> information to understand the program and the application form . Specific <br /> application procedures to be followed will vary depending on the sub - region <br /> where the farm is located and the local organization that has been contracted to <br /> deliver program funds on behalf of the Florida Department of Agriculture and <br /> Consumer Services ( FDACS ) . <br /> 2. 0 Joint- Agency Water Resource Mandates <br /> The St . Johns River Water Management District ( District ) was created by the <br /> Water Resources Act of 1972 ( Chapter 373 , Florida Statutes ) . Section 373 . 016 <br /> sets forth the District' s purpose and scope . Similarly , the Florida Department of <br /> Agriculture aid Consumer Services ( FDACS ) has responsibility under sections <br /> 403 . 067 and 570 . 085 , Florida Statutes . These responsibilities include , but are not <br /> limited to , the following : <br /> a ) To provide for the management of water and related land resources ; <br /> b ) To promote the conservation , development and proper utilization of surface <br /> and groundwater; <br /> c ) To develop and regulate dams , impoundments , reservoirs and other works to <br /> promote water storage , for beneficial purposes ; <br /> d ) To minimize degradation of water resources caused by he discharge of <br /> storm water; <br /> e ) To preserve natural resources , fish and wildlife ; and , <br /> f) To restore impaired waterbodies pursuant to the state ' s Total Maximum Daily <br /> Loads program . <br /> 3 . 0 Purpose of the Program <br /> This program has been established to promote agricultural BMPs ( refer to section 5 . 0 ) in <br /> the IRCA , in order to achieve the goals and objectives described primarily in Section 2 . 0 <br /> ( b ) , and to provide an overall water resource benefit to the Indian River Lagoon ( IRL ) <br /> and Upper St . Johns River ( USJR ) watersheds . Through the program , FDACS will <br /> provide reimbursement for select agricultural practices that have potential water <br /> conservation , sediment control , and water quality benefits . It is anticipated that this <br /> program will provide area citrus growers with economic assistance that would facilitate <br /> their voluntary implementation of BMPs that would not otherwise be economically <br /> feasible . <br /> 4. 0 Key Participating Agencies and Organizations <br />