Frost Protection Permitting

As of September 1, 2023, EPD is accepting applications for frost protection permits from the Floridan aquifer in the Download this pdf file. 2012 suspension area . The frost protection permit application is available on the EPD website Download this pdf file. here .

Background

In recent years, citrus, blueberries, and other berry crops have emerged as attractive commodities for some Georgia farmers. These crops cannot be successfully cultivated without frost protection, which requires the application of large amounts of water directly onto plants to protect them during freezing temperatures. Permits are required for large water withdrawals (greater than 100,000 gallons per day), and permits would be necessary for frost protection water usage. While frost protection requires a large amount of water, frost conditions only occur a few days each year and exclusively during the recharge season (October 15 – April 15). As a result, frost protection permits have limited water needs compared to traditional crop irrigation permits.

Before September 1, 2023, frost protection permits were not an option for farmers in the lower Flint River Basin because of the Download this pdf file. suspension of new or modified permits from the Floridan aquifer and the Flint River and its tributaries, which has been in place since July 2012 . As required in the 2012 suspension memo, EPD has been evaluating various options for agriculture water withdrawal permitting in the lower Flint River Basin, including frost protection permits. Because the use would be limited to the traditional recharge season and limited in quantity, frost protection permits are anticipated to have a negligible effect on flows in the lower Flint River Basin.

To support the development of an implementable, protective, and feasible permitting program, EPD solicited stakeholder feedback on the proposed frost protection permits and hosted a stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, June 21, at the Riverfront Resource Center in Albany, Georgia. In addition to that stakeholder meeting, EPD presented on frost protection permitting at the Upper Flint and Lower Flint-Ochlockonee Regional Water Planning Council meetings on June 9 and 15, respectively. EPD also sent information about the proposed frost protection permitting program to regional and industry leaders. A summary of the comments received and a response to those comments is available Download this pdf file. here .

Frost protection permitting

EPD is using the following permitting framework:

  • For Floridan aquifer water withdrawals, Download this pdf file. frost protection permitting  is available as an option in the Download this pdf file. red, yellow, and  Download this pdf file. green zones , as defined in the 2006 FRB Plan.

    • Please note: EPD received letters of interest in frost protection permits in the yellow and red zones from the region’s growers, in addition to stakeholder feedback that beginning frost protection in the Green Zones was a good first step. After September 2023, EPD reviewed data collected from stakeholders on protecting citrus and blueberry crops, as well as water use impact assessments associated with Frost Protection in the Yellow and Red Zones. The data indicate the lack of an impact on the Floridan Aquifer.  On May 30, 2024, the EPD Director signed the Water Supply Program’s Download this pdf file. memorandum of recommendation that frost protection permitting in the yellow and red zones is feasible and would have negligible impacts on the Floridan Aquifer. 

  • Surface water should not be used for frost protection permits. However, EPD understands that some landowners in the Flint River Basin are hydrogeologically challenged with respect to groundwater availability. In those areas of those known challenges, EPD will consider proposed well-to-pond frost protection systems on a case-by-case basis.

  • Anyone can apply for a frost protection permit, regardless of whether they hold an existing agriculture water withdrawal permit with EPD.

  • On a case-by-case basis, wells could be used for both frost protection and production, and variable rate motors may be accepted.

    • EPD received significant detailed information about the water needs of citrus and blueberries for frost protection and production, as well as the physical configurations of frost protection and production irrigation systems for those crops. EPD determined that the production water use was very low, that requiring separate wells could result in significant increases in costs without commensurate environmental benefits, and that telemetry could be used to get good data on water usage.

  • EPD prescribed telemetry equipment to monitor air temperature and the timing and volume of water withdrawn will be required for all frost protection permits. The cost of installing a meter will be on the farmer, however EPD will install the telemetry unit with no cost to the permittee for one-time or ongoing costs.

If you have any questions about frost protection permitting, please contact the EPD Tifton Office at 229-391-2400.