Best Management Practices (BMP) Program Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Water Policy Christopher Pettit, Director

How Are Site-Specific BMPs Determined? Site - specific evaluation tailored to the features of individual properties Soil types Slope Water features Size of property Existing infrastructure, i.e. irrigation Technological ability of producer Cost share available to assist with implementation All Producers are enrolled with the assistance of an OAWP Field staff person. Filling out the applicable checklist is a collaborative process that takes into account site specific factors at each location. Each property is unique and soil types, slope, water and/or sensitive features, existing infrastructure such as irrigation system or surface water control structures, the technological ability of the producer and size of the property all influence the BMP selection process at each location. Producers Notice the State of their Intent to manage their property in a specific manner as designated by the checklist within the manual. For BMPs that are identified as needing to be implemented, cost share is available to assist with implementation.

FDACS Cost Share Program FDACS contracts with Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Resource Conservation and Development Councils delivers FDACS cost share to producers Most efficient delivery of state reimbursements Mostly electronic Collect an administrative fee May also serve as contractor for Conservation Technicians

How Do We Know That Agricultural Producers Are Following BMPs? Required by Rule 5M-1 F.A.C. Annual Certification –electronic and/or staff assisted Implementation Verification Site Visit – Performed year round through field staff site visits In the NEEPA and in any other adopted BMAP, agricultural producers must either implement appropriate BMPs or monitor their water quality to prove that they meet state water quality standards. FDACS has referred landowners to the FDEP for enforcement of the water quality monitoring provision. In an adopted BMAP, agricultural producers must either enroll in and implement applicable BMPs or conduct water quality monitoring prescribed by DEP to prove that they meet water quality standards. Statewide, 54% of agricultural acres are enrolled in the FDACS BMP program. Further 76% of all irrigated acres in the state are enrolled in the BMP program. NOTE: why irrigated acres important – most of water use / nutrient impacts Rule 5M-1 describes the implementation verification process and corrective action procedures. An annual certification process, identifying the implementation of common practices is published in an annual report for the Legislature. 74% of enrolled producers participated in this data gathering for the report due July 1. BMP implementation verification site visits are prioritized based on the age of the Notice of Intent, commodity type, location of property in a BMAP or PFA and whether the producer has participated in the Annual Certification process. OAWP staff conducted BMP implementation verification site visits on 31% of the sites enrolled in the BMP program. Staff do a thorough review of all applicable BMPs at each site visit, verify that the appropriate records are being kept and visually inspect any cost shared BMPs. OAWP works with DEP to prioritize outreach within BMAPs. Producers who do not enroll in BMPs are referred to DEP for enforcement.

Status of Implementation of Agricultural BMPs in the Lake Okeechobee BMAP area

Status of Implementation of Agricultural BMPs in the Caloosahatchee Estuary BMAP area

Status of Implementation of Agricultural BMPs in the St Status of Implementation of Agricultural BMPs in the St. Lucie River and Estuary BMAP area