Florida Soil and Water Conservation Council
Overview
ADVISORY COUNCIL
TO THE
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
Mission of the Council
The mission of the Soil and Water Conservation Council is to advise and consult with the Commissioner of Agriculture regarding laws, rules and policies related to soil and water.
Powers and Duties of the Council
The Council is created by s. 582.06 F.S. and shall have powers and duties as described in s. 570.0705, F.S.:
- Consider and study the entire field of soil and water;
- Consider matters submitted to it by the Commissioner;
- Submit proposed legislation and rules to the Commissioner; and
- Advise and consult with the Commissioner for the conduct of business by the Department
Goals of the Council
Given that the members represent a wide variety of interests and backgrounds, the Council provides a forum for the development and implementation of consensus-based solutions to agricultural and natural resource issues.
Because soil and water issues are inextricably linked to the critical water resource and policy challenges facing agriculture in modern Florida, examples of areas the Council may wish to consider include agricultural water resource issues posed by regulation, the Water Resources Implementation Rule, or factors related to water supply, water conservation, reuse, and alternative water supply development. Issues of importance to the state’s sixty-three Soil and Water Conservation Districts should also be addressed by the Council. Other state, federal, and university partners should be freely engaged when formulating recommendations.
The Council may also find opportunities in related areas at the national level, working with the Department and its affiliations with groups, such as the National Associations of State Departments of Agriculture, the National Association of State Conservation Agencies, the National Association of Conservation Districts, and others. National policies originating in these forums may be brought to the Council for consideration and advice. In this capacity, the Council may play an important proactive role in guiding the Department and Soil and Water Conservation Districts in developing national policy.
Toward this end, this process should focus on the following goals:
- Coordinate with the Department when developing appropriate agricultural water policy recommendations to the Commissioner of Agriculture that affect agricultural interests statewide.
- Periodic review and update of “ Florida’s Agricultural Water Policy.”
- Advise the Department about opportunities to improve the level of service on water resource issues provided by the SWCDs. This may occur through review of program plans, activities, performance and resources, and, when appropriate, the development of recommendations for new program objectives including strengthening the association between individual SWCDs to enhance effectiveness.
- Develop recommendations to stimulate progress on soil and water conservation initiatives, through input to the Department, and through outreach to federal, state, regional and local organizations and partnering agencies, and landowners.