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SCOPE OF WORK <br /> INDIAN RIVER CITRUS COST-SHARE PROGRAM <br /> I. PROJECT SUMMARY : <br /> Best management practices (BMP) are those on-farm operational procedures that are designed to <br /> achieve greatest agronomic efficiency in food and fiber production, while limiting the offsite effects <br /> of agricultural operations and simultaneously maintaining an economically viable farming operation <br /> for the grower. To reach Indian River County citrus growers in a timely manner, the opportunity <br /> for cost sharing will be advertised through a variety of methods (newsletters, web sites , newspaper <br /> articles, phone calls, etc. ). The Board of County Commission staff will coordinate with the Indian <br /> River Soil and Water Conservation District (IRSWCD) and the USDA Natural Resources <br /> Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist in meeting with potential candidates to <br /> assess their needs with respect to program objectives. A Conservation Plan for approved applicant <br /> will be developed for the property by the IRSWCD in cooperation with the NRCS . This plan will <br /> include but is not limited to nutrient management, pesticide management, irrigation water <br /> management, and technical information and design <br /> Il. BACKGROUND : <br /> The University of Florida (UF), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services <br /> (FDACS) , numerous agencies, and growers, worked together to compile and adopt a " living" <br /> document entitled, "Water Quality/Quantity Best Management Practice ' s (BMPs) for Indian River <br /> Area Citrus Groves ." The major categories of emphasis in this manual are: Water Volume, <br /> Sediment Transport,' Nutrients, Pesticides/Metals, and Aquatic Plants . The BMP document was <br /> created in an effort to educate the growers about the water quality problems occurring in the Indian <br /> River Lagoon (IRL) and Upper St. Johns River watersheds . These waterbodies are listed as <br /> " impaired" under Section 303 (d) of the Federal Clean Water Act (FCWA), which do not meet <br /> applicable water quality standards. <br /> III. DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION : <br /> The objectives of this project are: <br /> 1 . To increase the knowledge pertaining to citrus BMP ' s and water quality issues . <br /> 2 . To increase the acreage of citrus under BMP implementation in Indian River County. <br /> 3 . To reduce pollutant loads to the IRL and Upper St. Johns watersheds . <br /> Scope of Work <br /> I . In an effort to reach COUNTY citrus growers in a timely manner, the opportunity for cost <br /> sharing will be advertised through a variety of methods (newsletters , web sites, newspaper <br /> articles , phone calls, etc . ) <br /> 2 . The Indian River County Citrus Cost-Share Best Management Practices (BMP) Program <br /> Procedures (see attached) will be followed by County staff in partnership with IRSWCD and <br /> USDA/NRCS . <br /> Page 14 of 17 <br />