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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 where <br /> the farm is located and the local organization that has been contracted to deliver <br /> program funds on behalf of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer <br /> Services (FDACS). <br /> 2.0 Joint-Agency Water Resource Mandates <br /> The St. Johns River Water Management District (District) was created by the Water <br /> Resources Act of 1972 (Chapter 373, Florida Statutes). Section 373.016 sets forth <br /> the District's purpose and scope. Similarly, the Florida Department of Agriculture <br /> and Consumer Services (FDACS) has responsibility under sections 403.067 and <br /> 570.085, Florida Statutes. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the <br /> 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 and <br /> 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 the discharge of storm <br /> 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 <br /> 5.0) in the IRCA, in order to achieve the goals and objectives described primarily in <br /> Section 2.0 (b), and to provide an overall water resource benefit to the Indian River <br /> Lagoon (IRL) and Upper St. Johns River (USJR) watersheds. Through the program, <br /> FDACS will provide reimbursement for select agricultural practices that have <br /> potential water conservation, sediment control, and water quality benefits. It is <br /> anticipated that this program will provide area citrus growers with economic <br /> assistance that would facilitate their voluntary implementation of BMPs that would <br /> not otherwise be economically feasible. <br /> Revised 03/21/02 3 <br />