The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are furthering efforts to conserve water supplies and reduce nutrient loading in the Suwannee and Santa Fe River Basins and related springs. DEP and the District are investing over $5 million in funding through four initiatives for producers located in these Basins.

These four initiatives are estimated to save more than 6.0 million gallons of water per day and reduce nutrient loadings to the Suwannee and Santa Fe River Basins by 592,000 pounds annually. Thanks to Governor Scott, the Legislative Budget Commission, and DEP these and other projects will protect springs in the District.

“The District and producers alike continually seek out ways to improve water quality, to increase water conservation and to protect springs. DEP’s springs grants for conservation technology is a great boost for local efforts to improve water quality and supply” says Dr. Ann Shortelle, Executive Director of the District.

One grant is for commercial nurseries in the Santa Fe River Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) area. The purpose of the grant is to convert overhead irrigation systems to water-saving drip or micro-spray irrigation. These methods allow growers to apply water directly to the plant which reduces water losses to evaporation and overspray. Drip and micro-spray systems also help target fertilizer application, and can reduce losses to leaching. The total grant funding available for this initiative is $979,325.

The second grant program is designed to reduce nutrient loading through center pivot fertigation for qualifying farms within the Suwannee River BMAP area. Fertigation is the process of applying fertilizer through irrigation water. Benefits of employing this method include a reduction in fertilizer runoff and groundwater leaching because producers apply fertilizer in smaller amounts at a greater frequency. The total grant funding available for this initiative is $948,150.

The third grant allows the District to offer of the cost to expand existing manure-management lagoons on qualifying dairies. Larger lagoons enable longer retention times for greater flexibility in irrigation scheduling. This will reduce the nutrient loading to groundwater and nearby water bodies by allowing dairy operators to delay irrigation during heavy rains or until crops are present. The total grant funding available for this initiative is $959,325.

The fourth grant program will assist producers in retrofitting center pivots with water-saving equipment is a cost-effective way to improve irrigation efficiency. By taking part, producers will conserve water and thereby help sustain the springs along the Suwannee River. Upgrades within the grant program include tools for farmers to operate their systems based on crop needs and weather. The total grant funding available for this initiative is $2,120,000.

Producers outside of these areas may still qualify for cost-share on a variety of water-saving projects.

For more information and applications for these grant opportunities and other agriculture programs through-out the District contact Kevin Wright klw@srwmd.org or visit www.mysuwanneeriver.com.