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

Drought Conditions

Location of SPJC Watersheds

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