Office of Agricultural Water Policy
The Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP) was established in 1995 by the Florida Legislature to facilitate communications among federal, state, local agencies, and the agricultural industry on water quantity and water quality issues involving agriculture. In this effort, the OAWP is actively involved in the development of Best Management Practices (BMPs), addressing both water quality and water conservation on a site specific, regional, and watershed basis. As a significant part of this effort, the office is directly involved with statewide programs to implement the Federal Clean Water Act's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements for agriculture. The OAWP works cooperatively with agricultural producers and industry groups, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the university system, the Water Management Districts, and other interested parties to develop and implement BMP Programs that are economically and technically feasible.
- Agricutural Permit Exemption Determinations
The 2011 Legislature gave the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) the authority, under certain conditions, to make determinations as to the application of the agricultural exemption from permitting contained in s. 373.406(2), F.S. The authorizing language is in s. 373.407, F.S., and provides that, in the event of a dispute as to the applicability of the exemption, the landowner or the water management district may request FDACS to make a binding determination. Final determinations are posted here - Open Letter to Agricultural Producers Regarding EPA-proposed Numeric Nutrient Criteria (52KB PDF)
Read the letter from Commissioner Putnam to the agricultural industry regarding proposed USEPA numeric nutrient criteria. Learn more... - FDACS Consolidated Comments on Proposed EPA Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Florida's Lakes and Flowing Waters (12.5MB PDF)
Read the report on the projected economic impacts of proposed USEPA numeric criteria on Florida's agriculture. Learn more... - Article: "Best Management Practices - To Your Advantage" (23KB PDF)
Read the article on the advantages of agricultural Best Management Practices. Learn more... - Agricultural BMPs "At a Glance"
The "Who, What, Why, Where, and How" of Agricultural BMPs. Learn more... - Florida Agricultural Water Policy (7MB PDF)
Read the report on Florida's Agricultural Water Policy. Learn more... - Agricultural BMPs and Florida TMDLs (52KB PDF)
View some information that describes the relationships between the Florida Watershed Restoration Act, Florida's TMDLs, and Agricultural BMPs. Learn more... - Landscape Irrigation and Florida Friendly Design (869KB PDF)
Read the report on Landscape Irrigation and Florida Friendly Design. Learn more...