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Shell and Prairie Creek Watershed Management Plan – Reasonable Assurance Documentation And Agricultural Reservoirs. Southwest Florida Water Management District Resource Conservation & Data Department. Water Quality Impairment.
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Shell and Prairie Creek Watershed Management Plan – Reasonable Assurance Documentation And Agricultural Reservoirs Southwest Florida Water Management District Resource Conservation & Data Department
Water Quality Impairment • In 2002 City of Punta Gorda’s reservoir exceeded secondary drinking water standards • In 2004 FDEP determined the Class I waters in Shell & Prairie Creek impaired
Response to Impairment • Stakeholders group formed: • Florida Department of Environmental Protection • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services • Southwest Florida Water Management District • South Florida Water Management District • University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science • USDA/NRCS • Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program • City of Punta Gorda • Charlotte County • Desoto County • Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association • Florida Farm Bureau • Florida Citrus Mutual • Desoto/Charlotte Farm Bureau • Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association • Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center • East Charlotte Drainage District • Joshua Water Control District • Private Agricultural Interests
Response to Impairment • Regional stakeholders agree to develop a “Reasonable Assurance Plan” documenting management actions that will restore water bodies to unimpaired conditions • TMDL’s will not be developed • RA Plan will be responsible for improving water quality • Goal of Reasonable Assurance Plan • Improve water quality to a sp. conductance level of 775 uS/cm (monthly average) with corresponding improvement in: • TDS < 500 mg/l • Chloride < 250 mg/l • Goal will be reached by 2014 • Goal will be achieved through implemented management actions
Management Actions • SPJC Well Back Plugging Program • Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS) Program • SWFWMD Resource Regulation • Quality of Water Improvement Program (QWIP) • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) • Best Management Practices (BMP’s) • Land Acquisition • SWUCA Recovery Strategy/Regional Water Management Plan • Research and Education/Outreach
FARMS Program Overview • FARMS is a Best Management Practice (BMP) cost-share reimbursement program for agricultural projects located in the SWUCA • Created in 2003 as a cooperative program with FDACS • Two Priority Areas within SWUCA region • Promote public-private partnerships to implement agricultural BMPs to: • Reduce Floridan Aquifer ground water withdrawals • Improve water quality • Conserve, restore, or augment water resources and ecology • Provides up to 75% reimbursement for project costs • Coordinate with NRCS/EQIP program
FARMS Projects Funded • Precision Irrigation • Soil Moisture Meters • Auto Pump Starts/Valves
FARMS Projects Funded • Alternative Supplies • Surface water pump stations • Tail water recovery • Requires agricultural reservoirs
FARMS Program Status • FARMS Goal • Provide 40 mgd of groundwater offset in 20 years • Improve water resource conditions in SPJC/Upper Myakka • 32 Board approved projects • 10.1 predicted ground water offset • 17 complete and operational projects • 4.2 mgd actual ground water offset • Charlotte County • Nine completed projects and two under construction • Six utilize surface water reservoirs • 2.1 mgd predicted ground water offset • Several projects under consideration • Most require agricultural reservoirs • FARMS Projects (and reservoirs) will improve resource conditions, improve agricultural economics, and provide improvement/protection for Punta Gorda’s water supply
Conclusions • FDEP has approved RA Plan - pending EPA approval • 46% of SPJC area has Management Actions occurring • FARMS Program/EQIP are critical Management Actions in Charlotte County to protect and improve water quality & reduce ground water use • Usually requires Agricultural Reservoirs • County permit process for Agricultural Reservoirs should take into account efforts to improve water resources, including protection of Punta Gorda’s water supply • Priority and expedited permitting • Value-driven expectations on permit application requirements • Work closely with District FARMS & Regulation staff