§ 6.11.117. Agricultural Reservoirs

Except in areas where prohibited under Section 6.11.54.A.5 of this Code, land excavations for the purpose of creating a reservoir for agricultural irrigation shall be permitted in all agricultural zoning districts, subject to the following requirements. Land excavations for the purpose of agricultural irrigation that do not meet these requirements shall require approval in accordance with Section 6.11.54 of this Code.

A.

The reservoir shall be developed and managed in contractual partnership with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS) Program and/or the United States Department of Agricultural Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) cost share assistance programs, including but not limited to the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). Proof of said contractual partnership shall be submitted at time of Conditional Use application.

B.

No more than 100,000 cubic yards of excavated material shall be removed from the site. This restriction shall not be varied.

C.

To demonstrate protection of groundwater resources, an agriculture irrigation reservoir authorization issued through the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) or Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) under Environmental Resource Permit or Water Use Permit rules, including permits and exemptions, shall be submitted at time of Conditional Use application. The authorization shall not obviate the need for the excavation to meet all setback requirements of this Section. In the event said authorization is not submitted, the permitted excavation depth shall be subject to approval of Hillsborough County to avoid impacts to groundwater resources. Upon request of Hillsborough County during Conditional Use review, the applicant shall submit a detailed site-specific hydrogeologic survey assessing potential groundwater impacts.

D.

The excavation shall have a minimum setback of 25 feet from all boundaries of the site, except that a minimum setback of 100 feet shall be provided where the site abuts residentially developed or zoned property. Additionally, the excavation shall have a minimum setback of 30 feet from environmental Conservation Areas and a minimum setback of 50 feet from environmental Preservation Areas.

E.

Excavation activities shall be limited to the hours from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays recognized by Hillsborough County. No activities shall be permitted on Saturday and Sunday.

F.

The applicant shall identify the haul route for the excavated material. Prior to Conditional Use approval, the applicant shall enter into an agreement with Hillsborough County Public Works to monitor and mitigate impacts to the portion of the haul route from the excavation site driveway to the first road shown on the current Truck Route Plan.

G.

Prior to the start of excavation activities, including site preparation, the applicant shall obtain a Land Excavation Operating Permit in accordance with the requirements of Part 8.01.00 of this Code. The permitted operating period shall not exceed five years.

(Ord. No. 08-29, § 2, eff. 2-1-09; Ord. No. 10-26, § 2, Exh. A(10-0745), eff. 2-11-11; Ord. No. 11-19, § 2(Item V-B)(11-0604), 11-3-11, eff. 2-1-12)