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Backup Documents 09/26/2001 WBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP MEETING SEPTEMBER 26, 2001 Collier County Board of County Commissioners Workshop Collier County Rural and Agricultural Area Assessment-lmmokalee Area Study September 26, 2001-9:00 AM Agenda 2. 3. 4. 5. 9. 10. 11. Welcome and Introductions Overview of workshop agenda How we got here-chronology Overview of the Immokalee Area Study Agriculture-Past, Present and Future Environmental Assets of the Area Report from the Committee Stage 1 & 2 summary of findings Work Plan Other Parties' Comments Q & A by Board members Commissioner Carter Tom Olliff Marti Chumbler Ron Hamel Dallas Townsend Tom Spreen Tim Durham Bill Lorenz Ron Hamel Ann Olesky Al Reynolds Bob Mulhere Nancy Peyton Brad Cornell BCC 12. Public Comment COLLIER COUNTY FLORIDA REQUEST FOR LEGAL ADVERTISING OF PUBLIC HEARINGS To: Clerk to the Board: Please place the following as a: [] Normal legal Adver~ernent (Display Adv., location, etc.) [] Other: Notice of Board of County Commissioners Workshop to be held in the Board Meeting Room on September 26, 2001 Originating Dept/Div: Planning Services Department, CDES Person: Sm Litsinger Petition No. (If none, give brief description): Rural Area Assessment (Immokalee Area Study) Workshop Petitioner: (Name & Address): Date: 8/6/01 Name & Address of any person(s) Co be notified by Clerk's Office: (If more space is needed, attach separate sheet) Hearing l~fore X BCC BZA Other Requested Hearing date: 9:00 a..rl~e~tember 26, 2001~ased on advertisement appearing 10~ys before hearing. Newspaper(s) to be used: (Complete only if important): [] Naples Daily News [] Other [] Legally Required Proposed Text: (Include legal description & common location & Size: See attached Proposed Notice Companion petition(s), if any & proposed hearing date: Does Petition Fee include advertising cost? [] Yes 11 t-~8~7 649100 (Comprehensive Planning) ~ 8/24/01 for. CDES Division He,id Date X[-'] No If Yes, what account should be charged for advertising costs: Approved by: County Manager Date List Attachments: Proposed Notice of Board of County Commissioners Informational Workshop DISTRIBUTION INSTRUCTIONS For hearings before BCC or BZA: Initiating person to complete one coy and obtain Division Head approval before submitting to County Manager. Note: If legal document is involved, be sure that any necessary legal review, or request for same, is submitted to County Attorney before submitting to County Manager. The Manager's office will distribute copies: [] County Manager agenda ~e: to Clerk's Office [] Requesting Division [] Original B. Olher hearings: Initiating Division head to approve and submit o__fi~'mal to Clerk's O. ffice, retaining a copy for file. NOTICE OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS NOTICE OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP Wednesday, September 26, 2001 9:00 A.M. Notice is hereby given that the Collier County Board of County Commissioners will hold an informational workshop on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2001, at 9:00 A.M., in the Board Meeting Room, Third Floor, Harmon Tumer Building (Administration), at the Collier County Government Complex, 3301 East Tamiami Trail, Naples, Florida. The Board's informational topic(s) will include, but may not be limited to, an overview of the following subjects: Rural Area Assessment (Immokalee Area Study) Overview of the Study Agriculture - Past, Present, and Future Environmental Assets of the Area Committee Report Horizon Framework/Scenario Outline The meeting is open to the public. Any person who decides to appeal a decision of this Board will need a record of the proceedings pertaining thereto, and therefore may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA James D. Carter, Ph.D., Chairman DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK By:/s/Maureen Kenyon Deputy Clerk September 4, 2001 Ms. Pam Perrell Naples Daily News 1075 Central Avenue Naples, Florida 34102 Re: Notice of Rural Area Assessment Workshop Dear Pam: Please advertise the above referenced notice on Saturday, September 15, 2001, and kindly send the Affidavit of Publication, in duplicate, together with charges involved to this office. Thank you. Sincerely, Ellie Hoffman, Deputy Clerk Enclosure Charge to: 111-138317-649100 FAX TO: LOCATION: FAX NO: Pam Perrell Naples Daily News (941) 263-4703 COMMENTS: Notice of Rural Area Assessment Workshop FROM: Ellie Hoffman LOCATION: COLLIER COUNTY COURTHOUSE FAX NO: (941) 774-8408 PHONE NO: DATE SENT: TIME SENT: (941) 774-8406 # OF PAGES: 3 Naples Daily News Naples, FL 34102 Affidavit of Publication NapLes Daily News BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CHRIS HORTON PO BOX 413016 NAPLES FL 34101-3016 REFERENCE: 001230 58317550 NOTICE OF BOARD OF C State of Florida County of Collier Before the undersigned authority, personally appeared AngeLa Bryant, who on oath says that she serves as Assistant Secretary of the Naples Daily News, ~ ~aily newspaper published at Naples, in Collier County, FLorida: that the attached copy of advertising was published in said newspaper on dates Listed. Affiant further says that the said Naples Daily News is a newspaper published at Naples, in said Collier County, FLorida, and that the said newspaper has heretofore been continuously published in said Collier County, FLorida, each day and has been entered as second class mail matter at the post office in Naples, in said Collier County, FLorida, for a period of 1 year next preceding the first publication of the attached copy of advertisement; and affiant further says that she has neither paid nor promised any person, firm or corporation any discount, rebate, commission or refund for the purpose of securing this advertisement for pubLiction in the said newspaper. PUBLISHED ON: 09/15 AO SPACE: 70.000 INCH FILED ON: 09/17/01 ........................ + ........................... Sworn to and Subscribed bef~ me this of 2 PersonaLLx known by me ...... NOTICE OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP WednesClav~ :~sept~her 26, 2001 :00 ~Notlce Is hereby given that the Collier County Board. ~of Cour~ Commissioners will I~d anJ__n~n~t. ~, ,workshop on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER. at 9:00 A.M., Irt .the Beard M~eflng Room,.Tn!r. _., .Harmon Turner Building {Admlnls'n'aflonL cfi me ~o~- 'lief County Government Complex, 3301.E. ast T..amla- ~m Trail, .N. ap es, .F:lorJdg. The Bopr. d's !rff~.. m..~onal toplc(s) w II Incluae, om may nm oe flrnllea lO, an overview of the fo ow ng subjects: Rural Area Assessment (ImmokaJee Area Study) * Ag~re. Past, Prese_nt, and. Future ~ Environmental Assets of rne Area Committee Report · Horizon FrarrVewark/Scel~elO ~OU~llci, ne The meeting Is open to th . Any person who decides ~ .aPgqp.. I a decislq.n this BOard will heed a recora m* me proc.eqamg, pertaLnln~l ther.elok and ther~for, e. may neea..10 sure mata veroemm recpr, a. o~..me pn~..eeamgSn~dS made, which* record Inc~uaes .m.e ~s~?non~¥ a evidence upon which the appem m 10 oe .op._s_.~_.. ___ BOARD OF COUNTY COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA James D. Carter, Ph,D., Chairman DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK By:/s/Maureen .Ke_n.von DePLnY Sept. 15 No. 1887755 Rosemary Turner MY COMMISSION # CC850751 EXPIEES ]une 29, 2005 ~ND~D m~J ~OY F~ ~U~U~C~ mNC ! Agricultural Viability in Collier County, Florida: Present and Future Thomas It. Spreen Professor Food and Resource Economics University of Florida, Gainesville GENERAL FACTS: · The most important agricultural crops in Collier County are citrus, vegetable, and beef cattle. · Collier County is a price-taker for all of these crops, i.e., its production is not sufficient to influence price. · Beef cattle are produced in most of Florida, but in SW Florida, beef cattle production is Iow return. TEST: If you were guaranteed $1,500,000 in revenues from just 1 section of Citrus Groves, with a professional managemcmt team on staff, and all you have to do is cover expenses, would you accept? If you did, and you received $.8/ps rather than the break even of $.85/ps - you would have lost over $36,000 dollars - even though the Grove had an above average production yield. Annual Fixed (Investment) Costs Equipment, overhead, taxes, land Tomatoes $2,900/ac-yr Oranges $600/ac-yr Annual Production Costs Tomatoes Growing costs $4,500/ac Harvesting & packing $5,000/ac Oranges Grove care costs $800/ac Harvesting $1,000/ac Break-Even Conditions Annual financial commitment Marketable production Tomato Citrus $12,400 $2,400 1,400 cms 400 - 500 bx 7 - 6 Break-even price $8.85/ctn $6 - 5/bx $.85-.80/p.s. Key Points to Remember: · Agriculture production is a business. · Significant financial resources are required · Local Growers have no influence over market demand, which ultimately determines revenues for each crop. · Land can only remain in agriculture so long as growers receive a "reasonable" return. The Florida Citrus Industry · Florida is the second largest citrus producing region in the world. The state of Sao Paulo, Brazil is the largest. · Citrus is produced throughout central and south Florida. Polk and Hendry are the two largest producing counties. · Collier County ranks 9th in citrus production with 11.7 million boxes of production in 1999-00. · Oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines are produced in Florida. · Approximately 94 percent of total orange production in Florida is processed into orange juice. · Tangerines and certain varieties of oranges such as navel and tangelos are produced for the fresh market. · Grapefruit production is evenly split between fresh and processed utilization. · The main import suppliers of orange juice are Brazil, Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica. Citrus in Collier County · The citrus industry in Collier County is relatively young. · Citrus has been grown here for many years, but the freezes of the 1980s stimulated a southward move in Florida citrus production. Citrus Acreage Growth Index in Collier, SWFL, Florida, and U.S. from 1982 to 2000 4 5 ~ Collier 40 3.5 SWFla 3o U.S. Source: Fla Agr. Stat. Serv, Commerical Citrus Inventory · In the 1999-00 season, 11.7 million boxes of citrus were grown in Collier County. This represented 3.95 percent of all citrus produced in Florida. · Citrus producers in Collier County are not be able to pass on cost increases because its production is small relative to that grown in the state. · There are also no processing plants in Collier County, making producers vulnerable as the citrus processing sector is consolidating. Challenges Facing the Florida Citrus Industry · There are several pest and disease threats including citrus canker, fruit fly, diaprapes, and other, currently unknown diseases. · Under current policy, citrus canker is a dangerous disease in that once discovered, all trees in a 1900 foot radius are removed. · Even if trees are not removed, producers in the vicinity of canker are immediately quarantined. · Freezes in central Florida brought large- scale citrus production to Collier County; another random weather event could spell its demise throughout the State. · Labor costs in Florida are substantially higher than its main competitors. · The development of mechanical harvesting for citrus offers some relief for the labor cost disadvantage. · Another issue is the possible elimination of the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba. The Vegetable Industry in Collier County · Florida is the primary domestic supplier of fresh vegetables to the U.S. market in the period spanning t~om November to May. · Florida competes with Mexico in the U.S. market. · Recently, hothouse tomatoes from Canada have also penetrated the U.S. winter vegetable market. Vegetable Production Areas in Florida Major Florida Vegstables Shares of Total Production Value, FJell Pepper~ 15 4% '9 29.2% C~Jgumbers ~flap Bean~ 73% ~weel Corn Str~erne~ 96% Radishes 1.2% Wal erme ~hers 10 2% Bell Pepper Acreage in Collier County and Southwest Florida 8,0~ ~_~...~SWIFla C~llier 3 Challenges Facing the Fresh Vegetable Industry · Fresh vegetable producers in Florida are facing increased competition from imports, primarily from Mexico, Canada, and Holland. · Mexico has a lower cost structure, while producers in Canada and Holland likely receive subsidies from their respectively governments. Florida vegetable producers also depend upon methyl bromide which is being phased from use. Increasing labor costs are also an issue as increases in the minimum wage adversely affect agricultural producers. Registration of minor use pesticides has become a concern as EPA has been mandated to review all agricultural pesticides in use. · Elimination of the trade embargo on Cuba could also affect Florida vegetable producers. · Before the trade embargo was imposed in 1959, Cuba was a major supplier of fresh vegetables to the East Coast of the United States. · Given its location advantage over Mexico, significant expansion of vegetable production in Cuba is likely if U.S.-Cuba relations are normalized. Beef Cattle in Collier County · In 1999, there were 7000 beef cows in Collier County, ranking it 32n° among the 67 counties in Florida. hq that same year, there were 994,000 beef cows in Florida. · The main output of beef cattle operations in Florida are feeder calves which are sent to feedlots in the midwest for fattening. · Beef cattle production in most of Florida and particularly Collier County is Iow input-low return. · The challenges facing beef cattle producers include imports from Mexico, which produces animals similar in type and breed to those found here. · Stagnant demand for beef also adversely affects marginal producing areas such as south Florida. · Given the extensive nature of beef cattle operations in Collier County, the financial risk borne by beef cattle producers is small relative to citrus or vegetable producers. · Even small increases in costs, however, such as the proposed storm water fee could jeopardize the viability of beef cattle in this area. · The threat offered by mad cow disease and hoof and mouth disease reminds us of the downside of increased foreign travel. 4 Concluding Remarks · Collier County has experienced a boom in its citrus industry. - Florida citrus producers operate in highly competitive markets and face competition from Brazil, Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica. · Cuba could become a player if the U.S. trade embargo is removed. · The vegetable industry in Collier County faces tough competition from Mexico. · Canada and Holland also pose threats. · Beef cattle production is the reliable stand- by for land owners in this area. · Beef cattle production, however, is low return and generates few employment oppommities. · Beef cattle producers are also highly vulnerable to small increases in costs. · The development of a framework which will support orderly growth and protect agriculture will be a difficult process. · Urban dwellers need to better understand the risky nature of agricultural production, and the tenuous future it faces under trade liberalization and increasing regulation. · Without Profit - There will be no agriculture · There is a way for agriculture to peacefully coexist in an urbanizing society. There must be because people want safe, reasonably priced food. 5 IThe lmmokalee A~ Rural Lands Assessment A Presentation to: Collier County Board of County Commissioners September 26, 2001 Thke~ and Sec. Siebert present cj~net Real Order' issued containing in~m NRPAs and Rural OCA Lands Assessmerff Cornrr~ee is formed by BCC Reso/ut~on 6CC adopts Remedial Amendments, including N ~'As, rn~at~um and ^ finds Amendments in ~ompl~ance Rorida W~idlife Federa~on and Collier Audubon Society file pe~on f~x being I Amendments file to inter~ene 5-Day DOAH He,ring Private se'&~nent negota~ons made set~ement tams public Recommended Order issued by DOAH ~Rural Assessment' to BCC &dfer 3- BCC votes t) al~'O~ 'o:)ncept" of Rural Assessment pmposa~ paid for by land Recomrrended Order was chaOenged an d mqu/red revfew bY ~e Go~enmr and Ca~ef Mee~ng - Pam MadKie, ECPO, Steve DCA January 2000 Rural Lands Assessr approves proposed Januay 11 2000 Scope adopted by E~ June 2 2000 Couaty and Depal~r dsmiss June 12 2000 DO,,~I Hearing held ~Tendrne~Is S~e~ens 11nding Inta Math6 2000 DO/~H issues Final, amendments in ce~ Sep~mbef 26 2001 Stage i Rep(xt b3 B( r BCC by 5-0 v~e nt file a moUon · Ion interim y Judge *ira amendments in es Final Order finding 1950s -Commercial Vegetable Production Occurs in the Ocopee Area · Production very nomadic due to weeds and disease · 35,000 acres in the Ocopee area had been farmed During World War 1I - Pine and Palmetto Flatwoods Used for Vegetable Production · Soil has naturally low pH · Elevation above swamps, sloughs and ponds · Many soils allowed seepage irrigation After World War II - Ocopee Area Production Begins to Decline · Old farm fields abandoned · 1950 - Collier County creates County Agricultural Extension Department · County soil map is developed - first in Southwest Florida Late 1950s- Early 1960s- Usable Farmland Becomes Scarce · Collier Extension Director initiates program of soil fumigation and plastic mulch culture to control weeds 1940-1979 Land Clearing by Vegetable Industry - Collier County - 175,000+ acres (most before 1970) - Hendry County - 250,000+ 3 · Over 98% of intensification has occurred on lands already developed · Citrus and vegetable production move into previous pasture lands · Cattle industry takes the brunt of the conversion · Inventory and accurate!g map existing environmental resources. · Protect listed animal andplant species such as the Florida Panther and their occupied habitats. · Establish long term strategies to protect critical resources in the study area. · Citizens appointed by Board of County Commissioners - Collect and re~iew data Gather public input - Recommend amendments to the Grmvth Management Plan · Established in October, 1999 · First meeting - November, 1999 · Address major issues identified by the Final Order - Agricultural viability - Protection of natural resources - Economic prosperity and diversification in the rural lands 4 6 Re,~w,'ed and reca'nmended apfxoval of Study Scope Recommended imlxoveme~s to solic~ pub~ r~out into fhe l~cess i ~ A A A A A A /~ A A I The lmmokalee Area Study/ Public Comment and Questions & Answers The Immokalee Area Study will address the distinct issues of Collier County's eastern rural lands: · Continued agricultural viability · Environmental resource protection . Long-term economic prosperity and diversification LAND USE Conservat ~on Lands Imra~kalee Study Area Urban Areas Rural Fringe (Conservation Land acreage does not include conservation areas or interim NRPA's within Imnmkalee Study Area and Rural Fringe which total approximately 102,800 additional acres, when added to Conservation Land would total 73.6% of County) The lmmokalee Area Study A Four Stage Process: · Data collection & analysis of existing conditions · Land use research & optional ~enarios · Impact analysis of land use options · Amendments to Collier County Growth Management Plan Stage I - Data Collection & Analysis · Oversight Committee and BCC approved scope of work & methodology prior to its commencement in January 2000. 'The team acquired accurate information on existing baseline conditions and created a GIS ~for public review and camment. · Field verification of land use mapping performed to calibrate and verify accuracy. · Technical review by Technical Advisory Committee · Stage ! is completed and accepted by the Commi~e. · Acknowledged to he the best available data ever assembled for Collier Couuly's rural lands. · Agriculture is the largest land cover class of the Study Area. · Wetlands cover38% of the study area, including those permitted for agricultural water retention. · Natural vegetated uplands cover 10% of the study area, and are used as grazing land. · 6 federally listed species and 10 state listed species have been documented in the study area. Current agricultural uses including citrus, row crops, pastures and cattle grazing land and water retention areas encompass 91% of the total study Prior studies had incorrectly indicated large scale conversion of natural areas to agriculture over past 15 years - in fact conversion has been nominal (less than 3% of the area or approximately 5,000 acres). · The Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern encompasses approximately I/3 of the study area. · The purpose of the BCACSC under Florida Law is to the scenic b~uty o~'the Big Cypress Areo, incladlag ecdog~cally related wetlands, aquifer, ~nd ec~glcally related areas ~. for tke optimum utitlzathm o/the limited w~ter res~trces q~tke area, f~ciKtote ~'der~ health, weOCare, safely and quol~ of h'fe of the Stage 1 Report Distribution · A detailed report with large scale maps was created and distributed to the Committee, staff, and all interested parties. · A CD ROM was created which included ali pertinent data and maps for broad electronic distribution via the County Website and CD's were made available to the public. · Research and document current conditions of study area. · Create and evaluate three scenarios for the Study Area based on a 25 year horizon. · Scenarios are a demonstration of the potential application of innovative tools techniques and strategies to achieve the goals of the study. · Continue to receive broad public input through Committee meetings and workshops. 3 · Per Final Order, the County must explore potential conversion of rural lands to uther uses while: Discouraging urban sprawl Directing incompatible land uses away from critical habitat ~- Encouraging development that utilizes innovative planning techniques Collier County Land Development Code Permitted and Conditional Uses in Rural Area - Agricultural District (A) · Agricultural activities · Single Family Residential (1 unit/$ acres) · Sporting and recreational camps · Oil and gas exploration · Conservation uses · Earth mining · Schools · Golf courses · Others Citxus Row Crops Grazing Leases Total An e~finmted 5,000 natural acres converted to agricultural acres from 1985 to 200O · CiU~s acreage increased from 10,063 acres in 1986 to 35,302 acres in 2000 · Land in lease status for mw crops varies each year · Total acreage in agriculture has increased approximately 5,000 acres from 198~ to 2000 · No nesv subdivisions approved, no significant conversion of base ~oning since 1985 Ag ri-b usiness Industrial Development Casino 4 Collier County 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan Laud Use Projections for lmmokalee Study Area · 2025 Population & Dwelling Units in Rural Lands Study Area Based Upon County Projections · County Projections Assumed 1 DU per 5 Acres for Ag-Zoned Lands · 2025 Dwelling Units - 14,720 a 2025 Population - 39,850 · Collier County Projections Used in 2025 Long-Range Transportation Plan Update · lmmokalee Stud Area has ex erienced minimal cnane or rowtn since 19~, · Rapid growth is occurring in Orange Tree and Golden Gate Estates areas. · Immokalee Urban Area has experienced modest growth in the last decade. · Of the total lmmokalee Study Area of 195,000 acres, there are 138 parcels that are 40 acres or smaller in size. · To date~ there has been no significant agricultural land converted to non- a~ricultural uses in the Immokalee Stud,y Area · A scenario is a demonstration of the ~f innovative t~. techni and stcat es to address the Goals: - Agricultural Vmbility - Econom/c · Scenarios are used to evaluate a variety, of toms to determine which ones have a beneficial impact on reaching the goals of the Final Order. · The result of the Study will be a set of Planning Goals, Objectives and Policies in our Growth Management Plan · The GOP's will be built from and incorporate a broad set of innovative tools~ techniques and strategies, which we describe as a toolbox, that will provide the means to implement the Final Order objectives. The horizon framework is the collective ~meters within which scenarios are evaluated. A horizon framework ensures that variables can be benchmarked to a common reference. It is based on state policy (ACSC), county policy (lmmokalec Urban boundary), approved methodology (MPO model), or consensus (horizon year). . A Horizon year of 2025. · The MPO 2025 projected road network & population · Interim NRPA boundaries as adopted. · The current boundary of the Immokalee Urban Area. · The Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern · Existing public lands. · The natural resource and land use inventory · Employment estimates and demographic indexes · Adopted level of service standards in the Collier County Growth Management Plan. · The County's Growth Managem~t Plan coupled with zoning and land development regulations in effect at the lime the Final Order was adopted, applied to the Study area and projected forward establish a future condition that results from no · This baseline refere~ace scenario is used for comparison to asses~ to what extent the application of various tools will achieve the results desired under the Final Order. 6 · The Oversight Committee held two public visioning workshops facilitated by FGCU faculty, to establish specific and prioritized recommendations on tools and strategies to be considered in the Study. n Sixteen separate questions were considered, resulting in a detailed list of recommendations that are the basis for creation of scenarios Privately owned rural lands in the lmmokalee Area Study boundary will be included in an overlay, tentatively named "lmmokalee Area Rural Stewardship Overlay". The overlay will create public/private tools and incentives designed to give flexibility in the application of resource protection measures and the transfer of ~hip credits to accomplish the vision. · Scenario one was created by selecting the highest priority tools, techniques and strategies from the public workshops. · Scenario one employs many of the strategies described in the new state legislation on rural Scenario One - Key Assumptions · At the horizon ycar, therewill bead__~__..~ balance of land uses in the Study area that ~c----~--~ntrflmte to the primary objectives · We will reach our objectives with an innovative and incentive based system that will not be de dent on a to · There may be newsources of public revenues to support programs such as purchase of environmentally sensitive land and agricultural sul~sidies, but public fund~ will be limited and insufficient to accomplish all natural resource protection or agricultural viability goals. R~'~u]atio ns · Stewardship sending areas will be designated bmod on the charactedslies of the land, and there may be different categories of sending areas. · The BigCypress Area of Cri~cal State Concern (BCACSC) within the Study Area will be a sending area. · Natural Resource Protection Areas (NRPAs) will be sendin~ areas. · BCACSC iandz andNgPAiands arelikdy to remain substantlaHy in private ownership. · Receiving areas will be designed so that incompatible land uses will be directed away from critical habitat. · Receiving areas will be designed to discourage urban sprawl as it is defined in Florida planning law. · The receiving area designation will be implemented by criteria, as a function of ~oning. · Techniques such as conservation easements and stewardship agreements used in conjunction with the stewardship credit system will be used to protect environmental resources. · Sustainable protection of environmental resources · Viability of agricultural production · Uses that enable economic diversification · Cost-efficient delivery of public facilities and services to residents Florida Stewardship Foundation One Park Place, Suite 240, 621 N. W. 53rJ Street, Boca Raton, Florida 33487 Phone: (5619 995-1474 FAX: (5619 995-1475 For more information, contact: Craig Evans at 561-995-1474 The Contribution of Agriculture to Collier County, Florida A study conducted by Florida Stewardship Foundation November 1996 Key Findings This study initially focused on the contributions, benefits and shortcomings of Collier County's agricultural industry. The study's findings, however, have ramifications far beyond the agricultural industry ... and Collier County. Moreover, these findings are consistent with two other studies conducted by Farming for the Future, Inc. in Hillsborough and Lake counties, with a fiscal analysis of county and school budgets conducted by Dr. James Nichols, a University of Florida economist, for counties within the Suwannee River Water Management District and with data gathered by other organizations in more than 20 communities nationwide. These studies indicate: Land use planning and economic development activities need to be more closely integrated ... and coordinated. Land use planning decisions made without regard to economic outcomes can have disastrous consequences for future budgets, tax bills and the level of services that can be provided to residents. Various land uses create deficits or surpluses to county and school finances. For every $1.00 generated in residential revenues, the county and schools spend $1.20 in direct services, thereby creating a deficit. For every $1.00 generated by agricultural related activities, the county and schools spend only 37 cents in direct services, thereby creating a surplus. Commercial and industrial activities also create a surplus, since for every $1.00 generated, the county and schools spend 24 cents in services. Some of the highest and best uses of land -- those that generate the most money for the economy over the longest period of time -- are agricultural land uses. For example, an opportunity cost analysis of residential construction and resale shows that, on a per acre basis, the average priced home will make a contribution of $815,310 to the Collier County economy over a 50 year period. Tomatoes, in comparison, could make a contribution of $2,984,042 over the same period ... more than 3-1/2 times as much ... providing current trade issues can be resolved. The current, state-mandated format for county and school budgets makes it almost impossible to track the economic impacts of a specific land use or to compare its impacts with another type of land use. Because policy makers and planners do not have the necessary tools at their disposal to identify and distinguish land uses that are long-term revenue-generators from those that generate significant short-term revenues, but are long-term revenue losers, land use planning decisions currently are being made that could be costly to Collier County's economic future. The result is similar to running a business without knowing which activities generate a profit and which activities generate a loss. Even worse, many activities that generate a long-term loss are being promoted at the expense of activities that could generate long-term revenues for the county. For this reason, it is recommended that the county work at the state level to adopt an activity-based, cost-center accounting method to track revenues and expenses from each land. use ... and logical divisions within those land uses (such as single-family homes under $100,000; single-family homes $100,000 to $250,000; single-family homes $250,000 to $500,000; or whichever dollar cuts are appropriate) ... so it will be clear which land uses are creating deficits and which are creating surpluses. This will allow local officials to routinely have better data to make informed and fiscally responsible decisions about both the short and long term impacts of different land uses ... and determine with precision how land uses that are necessary, but create deficits, can be combined or balanced with other land uses to offset these deficits and generate a surplus of revenues. Collier County currently has a slight surplus of revenues over expenses. But, if current trends continue, this won't last. Data gathered by the study indicates that the cost of services for Collier County residents ... and tax bills to pay for these services ... could rise dramatically in years to come ... ... because most land planning decisions since 1980 have been made without the benefit of an activity-based, cost-center accounting method to balance revenues and expenses among different land uses; ... because Collier County has incurred unknown, but expensive liabilities as a result of requirements to provide infrastructure and public services to developments that are already permitted but not built; and ... because of several existing "unfunded mandates" to provide services for existing residents ... such as adequate classroom capacity in public schools ... that have not been paid for, are not being paid for but will have to be paid for, perhaps at great expense, in the future. The study findings suggest that two keys to a sounder economic future are for Collier County to: 1. Avoid replacing economic activities that can generate revenues on an ongoing, long-term basis with economic activities that lose money or generate revenues only in the short term; and 2. Work to create economic options and diversity by ensuring a place for as many economic activities as possible; by capitalizing on existing economic activities through diligent, targeted efforts to increase their viability; by directing new activities to areas where they will not displace or conflict with existing economic activities; by attracting new economic activities that will support and complement existing activities; and by actively encouraging and promoting those economic activities that can be relied on to produce steady revenue streams for the long-term. Additional findings ... and recommendations ... are described in the Executive Summary of The Contribution of Agriculture to Collier County, Florida, starting on page 25. Florida Stewardship Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation, scientific research and education. Its principal purpose is to create a forum that will bring private landowners ... who own the vast majority Florida's land area ... are custodians of the largest repository of natural resources ... and hold majority interest in the remaining stock of the state's future land uses ... together with government and natural resource and conservation interests in Florida to discuss issues of concern, find areas of agreement and promote programs that tie good stewardship to good business decisions. -30- II © Z 1950s - Commercial Vegetable Production Occurs in the Ocopee Area · Production very nomadic due to weeds and disease · 35,000 acres in the Ocopee area had been farmed During World War II - Pine and Palmetto Flatwoods Used for Vegetable Production · Soil has naturally Iow pH · Elevation above swamps, sloughs and ponds · Many soils allowed seepage irrigation After World War H - Ocopee Area Production Begins to Decline · Old farm fields abandoned · 1950 - Collier County creates County Agricultural Extension Department · County soil map is developed - first in Southwest Florida Late 1950s - Early 1960s - Usable Farmland Becomes Scarce · Collier Extension Director initiates program of soil fumigation and plastic mulch culture to control weeds · 1940-1979 Land Clearing by Vegetable Industry - Collier County- 175,000+ acres (most before 1970) - Hendry County - 250,000+ acres · Over 98% of intensification has occurred on lands already developed · Citrus and vegetable production move into previous pasture lands · Cattle industry takes the brunt of the conversion Agricultural Viability in Collier County, Florida: Present and Future Thomas Iq. Spreen Professor Food and Resource Economics University of Florida, Gainesville GENERAL FACTS: · The most important agricultural crops in Collier County are citrus, vegetable, and beef cattle. · Collier County is a price-taker for all of these crops, i.e., its production is not sufficient to influence price. · Beef cattle are produced in most of Florida, bm in SW Florida, beef cattle production is low retum. TEST: If you were guaranteed $1,500,000 in revenues fi'om just 1 section of Citrus Groves, with a professional rmmagement team on staff, and all you have to do is cover expenses, would you accept? If you did, and you received $.8/ps rather than the break even of $.85/ps - you would have lost over $36,000 dollars - even though the Grove had an above average production yield. Annual Fixed (Investment) Costs Equipment, overhead, taxes, land Tomatoes $2,900/ac-yr Oranges $600/ac-yr Annual Production Costs Tomatoes Growing costs $4,500/ac Harvesting & packing $5,000/ac Oranges Grove care costs $800/ac Harvesting $1,000/ac Break-Even Conditions Tomato $12,400 1,400 cms Annual financial commitment Marketable production Break-even price $8.85/ctn Citrus $2,400 400 - 500 bx 7 - 6 p.sdbx $6 - 5/bx $.85-.80/p.s. Key Points to Remember: · Agriculture production is a business. · Significant financial resources are required · Local Growers have no influence over market demand, which ultimately determines revenues for each crop. · Land can only remain in agriculture so long as growers receive a "reasonable" return. The Florida Citrus Industry · Florida is the second largest citrus producing region in the world. The state of Sao Paulo, Brazil is the largest. · Citrus is produced throughout central and south Florida. Polk and Hendry are the two largest producing counties. · Collier County ranks 9th in citrus production with 11.7 million boxes of production in 1999-00. · Oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines are produced in Florida. · Approximately 94 percent of total orange production in Florida is processed into orange juice. · Tangerines and certain varieties of oranges such as navel and tangelos are produced for the fresh market. · Grapefruit production is evenly split between fresh and processed utilization. · The main import suppliers of orange juice are Brazil, Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica. Citrus in Collier County · The citrus industry in Collier County is relatively young. · Citrus has been grown here for many years, but the t~eezes of the 1980s stimulated a southward move in Florida citrus production. Citrus Acreage Growth Index in Collier, SWFL, Florida, and U.S. from 1982 to 2000 4 5 ~ - Collier 40 3o , S~la 2.0 ~o ~ U.S. 05 Source: Fla. Agr. Slat. S~rv., Comrt~rical Citrus Inventory · In the 1999-00 season, 11.7 million boxes of citrus were grown in Collier County. This represented 3.95 percent of all citrus produced in Florida. · Citrus producers in Collier County are not be able to pass on cost increases bemuse its production is small relative to that grown in the state. · There are also no processing plants in Collier County, making producers vulnerable as the citrus processing sector is consolidating. 2 Challenges Facing the Florida Citrus Industry · There are several pest and disease threats including citrus canker, fruit fly, diaprapes, and other, currently unknown diseases. · Under current policy, citrus canker is a dangerous disease in that once discovered, all trees in a 1900 foot radius are removed. · Even if trees are not removed, producers in the vicinity of canker are immediately quarantined. · Freezes in central Florida brought large- scale citrus production to Collier County; another random weather event could spell its demise throughout the State. · Labor costs in Florida are substantially higher than its main competitors. · The development of mechanical harvesting for citrus offers some relief for the labor cost disadvantage. · Another issue is the possible elimination of the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba. The Vegetable Industry in Collier County · Florida is the primary domestic supplier of fresh vegetables to the U.S. market in the period spanning fi.om November to May. · Florida competes with Mexico in the U.S. market. · Recently, hothouse tomatoes fi.om Canada have also penetrated the U.S. winter vegetable market. Vegetable Production Areas in Florida Major Florida Vegetables Shares of Total Production Value, 19~8-e9 Season 12,00 8,00 Bell Pepper Acreage in Collier County and Southwest Florida SWFla ~Collier Source: Fla. Agr. Stat, Serv., Commerical Citrus Inventory Challenges Facing the Fresh Vegetable Industry Fresh vegetable producers in Florida are facing increased competition fi.om imports, primarily fi.om Mexico, Canada, and Holland. Mexico has a lower cost structure, while producers in Canada and Holland likely receive subsidies fi'om their respectively governments. · Florida vegetable producers also depend upon methyl bromide which is being phased fi.om use. · Increasing labor costs are also an issue as increases in the minimum wage adversely affect agricultural producers. · Registration of minor use pesticides has become a concern as EPA has been mandated to review all agricultural pesticides in use. · Elimination of the trade embargo on Cuba could also affect Florida vegetable producers. · Before the trade embargo was imposed in 1959, Cuba was a major supplier of fi.esh vegetables to the East Coast of the United States. · Given its location advantage over Mexico, significant expansion of vegetable production in Cuba is likely if U.S.-Cuba relations are normalized. Beef Cattle in Collier County · In 1999, there were 7000 beef cows in Collier County, ranking it 32nd among the 67 counties in Florida. In that same year, there were 994,000 beef cows in Florida. · The main output of beef cattle operations in Florida are feeder calves which are sent to feedlots in the midwest for fattening. · Beef cattle production in most of Florida and particularly Collier County is low input-iow return. · The challenges facing beef cattle producers include imports fi.om Mexico, which produces animals similar in type and breed to those found here. · Stagnant demand for beef also adversely affects marginal producing areas such as south Florida. · Given the extensive nature of beef cattle operations in Collier County, the financial risk borne by beef cattle producers is small relative to citrus or vegetable producers. · Even small increases in costs, however, such as the proposed storm water fee could jeopardize the viability of beef cattle in this · The threat offered by mad cow disease and hoof and mouth disease reminds us of the downside of increased foreign travel. 4 Concluding Remarks · Collier County has experienced a boom in its citrus industry. · Florida citrus producers operate in highly competitive markets and face competition fi.om Brazil, Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica. · Cuba could become a player if the U.S. trade embargo is removed. · The vegetable industry in Collier County faces tough competition fi.om Mexico. · Canada and Holland also pose threats. · Beef cattle production is the reliable stand- by for land owners in this area. · Beef cattle production, however, is low return and generates few employment opportunities. · Beef cattle producers are also highly vulnerable to small increases in costs. · The development of a framework which will support orderly growth and protect agriculture will be a difficult process. · Urban dwellers need to better understand the risky nature of agricultural production, and the tenuous future it faces under trade liberalization and increasing regulation. · Without Profit - There will be no agriculture · There is a way for agriculture to peacefully coexist in an urbanizing society. There must be because people want safe, reasonably priced food. Inventory and accurately map existing environmental resources. Protect listed animal and plant species such as the Florida Panther and their occupied habitats. Establish long term strategies to protect critical resources in the s~udy _!. 2 · Citizens appointed by Board of County Commissioners - Collect and review data - Gather public input - Reconunend amendments to the Growth Management Plan · Established in October, 1999 · First meeting - November, 1999 · Address major issues identified by the Final Order - Agricultural viability - Protection of natural resources - Economic prosperity and diversification in the rural lands 4 6 EEm ~o'~ !Ec~,-~ E The lmmokalee Area Study will address the distinct issues of Collier County's eastern rural lands: · Continued agricultural viability Environmental resource protection · Long-term economic prosperity and diversification LAND USE ~tion Lands Immokalee Study Area Urban Areas Rural Fringe Total Collier County · (Comervotion Land acreage does not include conservation areas or inttrlm NRPA's within lmmokalee Study Area and Rural Fringe which total appro~inmtely 102,800 additional acres, when added to Conservation Land would total 73.6% of County) The Immokalee Area Study A Four Stage Process: · Data collection & analysis of existing conditions · Land use research & optional scenarios · Impact analysis of land use options · Amendments to Collier County Growth Management Plan Stage 1 - Data Collection & Analysis · Oversight Committee and BCC appro*ed scope of work & methodology prior to it~ commencement in January g000. · The team acquired accurate information on existing baseline conditions and created a GIS ~for public review and comment. · Field verificalio~ of land use mapping performed to calibrate and verify a~curacy. · Technical review by Technical Advisory Committee · Stage I is completed and accepted by the Committee. · Acknowledged to be the best available data ever assembled for Collier County's ir-drill lands. Agriculture is the largest land cover class of the Study Area. · Wetlands cover 38% of the study area, including those permitted for agricultural water retention. · Natural vegetated uplands cover 10% of the study area, and are used as grazing land. · 6 federally listed species and 10 state listed species have been documented in the study area. Current agricultural uses including citrus, row crops, pastures and cattle grazing land and water retention areas encompass 91% of the total study Prior studies had incorrectly indicated large scale conversion of natural areas to agriculture over past ! 5 years - in fact conversion has been nominal (less than 3% of the area or approximately 5,000 · The Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern encompasses approy~mately I/3 of the study areL · The purpose of the BCACSC under Florida Law is to aquifer, and evoiogicalty r~loted areas ~. f~w tke optimum attilzalion of ~ke limited and ~lLplanned de~el~mem, and ~e.. .c~ the ken'k, we[fare, saf~y ~rtd quoZ~y ofh'fe of tke Stage 1 Report Distribution · A detailed report with large scale maps was created and distributed to the Committee, staff, and all interested parties. · A CD ROM was created which included ali pertinent data and maps for broad electronic distribution via the County Website and CD's were made available to the public. Stage 2 - Purpose · Research and document current conditions of study area. · Create and evaluate three scenarios for the Study Area based on a 25 year horizon. · Scenarios are a demonstration of the potential application of innovative tools techniques and strateeies to achieve the goals of the study. · Continue to receive broad Dubllc inDut through Committee meetings and workshops. 3 · Per Final Order, the County must explore potential conversion of rural lands to other uses while: - Discouraging urba~ ~pra~l - Directing incompatible land uses away from critical habitat - Encouraging development that utilizes innovative planning techniques Collier County Land Development Code Permitted and Conditional Uses in Rural Area - Agricultural District (A) · Agricultural activities · Single Family Residential (1 unit/5 acres) · Sporting and recreational camps Oil and gas exploration · Conservation uses · Earth mining · Schools · Golf courses · Others Cim~s Row Crops Water Ratmfion Pasture Cnazing Lcasc~ Total · An estimated 5,000 natural acres converted to agricultural acres from 1985 to 2OO0 · Citrus acreage incrcesed from 10,063 acres in 19861o 35,302 acres in 2000 · Land in lease status f~r row crops varies each year · Total acreage in agriculture has increased approximately 5,000 acres from 198S to 2000 * No new subdivisiom approved, no significant conversion of base zoning since 1985 A~t4-business Airpofl lndunrial DeveJopmenl Casino 4 Residential Growth lmmokalee ,4,48~ DUs 13,~04 Pemon~ S,~G OLIs 1 ?,SS3 Persons. Collier County 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan Land Use Projections for immokalee Study Area · 2025 Population & Dwelling Units in Rural Lands Study Area Based Upon County Projections . County Projections Assumed I DU per 5 Acres for Ag-Zoned Lands . 2025 Dwelling Units - 14,720 · 2025 Population - 39,850 . Collier County Projections Used in 2025 Long-Range Transportation Plan Update , lmmokalee Study Area has experienced minimal channe ~r ~rowth since 1985. · Rapid growth is occurring in Orange Tree and Golden Gate Estates areas. · lmmokalee Urban Area has experienced modest growth in the last decade. · Of the total lmmokalee Study Area of 195,000 acres, there are 138 parcels that are 40 acres or smaller in size. · To date~ there has been no sienificant alricultural laud converted to non- agricultural uses in the lmmokalee Study Area A scenario is a demonstration of the potential apl~icatlon of innovative touls~ techni u and strat es ~ address the Goals: - Ag~qc~t~r~/ - ~c Scenarios are used to evaluate a variety of tools to determine which ones have a ~cial impact on reaching the goals of the Final Order. · The result of the Studywill be a set of Planning Goals, Objectives and Policies in our Growth Management Plan · The GOP's will be built from and incorporate a broad set of innovative tools~ techniques and strate~es, which we describe as a toolbox, that will provide the means to implement the Final Order objectives. The horizon framework is the collective set of parameters within which scenarios are evaluated. A horizon framework ensures that variables can be benchmarked to a common referenc~ It is based on state policy (ACSC), county policy (Immolmlee Urban boundary), approved methodology (MPO model), or consensus (horizon year). · A Horizon year of 2025. · The MPO 2025 projected road network & population · Interim NRPA boundaries as adopted. · The current boundary of the Immokalee Urban Area. · The Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern · Existing public lands. · The natural resource and land use inventory · Employment estimates and demographic indexes · Adopted level of service standards in the Collier County Growth Management Plan. · The County's Growth Mamgement Plan coupled with zoning and land devdopmem regulations in effect at the ~me the Final Order was adopted, applied t~ the Study area nmi projected forward mmblish a future con~tion that results from no chon to the Plan. · This baseline reference scenario is used for conma~n to assess to what extent the application ofvariom tools will achieve the results desired under the Final Order. · The Oversight Committee held two public visioning workshops facilitated by FGCU faculty to establish specific and prioritized recommendations on tools and strategies to be considered in the Study. · Sixteen separate questions were considered, resulting in a detailed list of recommendations that are the basis for creation of scenarios Privately owned rural lands in the Immokalee Area Study boundary will be included in an overlay, tentatively named "Immolmlee Area Rural Stewardship Overlay". The overlay will create public/private tools and incentives designed to give flexibility in the application of resource protection measures and the transfer of ~hip credits to accomplish the vision. u Scenario one was created by selecting the highest priority tools, techniques and strategies from the public workshops. n Scenario one employs many of the strategies described in the new state legislation on rural · At the horizon year, therewiH bead_..~.~ balance of land uses in the Study area that ~c-----'~'~nt~bute to the pdmry objectives · We ~ reach our objectives with un innovative and incentive based system that will not be de dent on a r to · There may be new sources of public revenues to support programs such as purchase of environmentally semitive land and agricultural suI~sidles, but public funds will be limited and insufficient to accomplish aB natural resource protection or agricultural viability goals. · Big C~press Area of Critical , Environmental design Stllle Concern (BCACSC) · Comervaf~m easememls ~ul~iom 7 · Stewardship sending areas will be designated based on t~e characteristics of the land, and there amy be different categories of sendlng area~ · The Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concer~ (BCACSC) within the Study Area will be a sending area. · Natural Resource Protection Areas (NRPAs) will be sending areas. · BCACSC lands and NRPA lands are likdy to remain substantially in private ownership. · Receiving areas will be designed so that incompatible land uses will be directed away from critical habitat. · Receiving areas will be designed to discourage urban sprawl as it is defined in Florida planning law. · The receiving area designation will be implemented by criteria, as a function of zoning. · Techniques such as conservation easements and stewardship agreements used in conjunction with the stewardship credit system will be used to protect environmental resources. · Sustainable protection of environmental resources · Viability of agricultural productitm · Uses that enable economic diversification · Cost-efficient delivery of public facilities and services to residents Schedule I The lmmokalee Area Study/] Public Comment and Questions & Answers 9