Frequently Asked Questions

What programs are administered by the OAWP?
OAWP is involved in many facets of agricultural water resource protection programs. Aside from BMP development, some of these include water conservation, administration of cost-share programs statewide, grants solicitation, Water Management District ombudsman assistance, BMP research and demonstration, and other technical assistance including working with the state’s mobile irrigation labs (MILs).

What is the purpose of a BMP Manual?
A Best Management Practices Manual or BMP is designed to be a user-friendly tool to assist Florida farmers and ranchers with the implementation of conservation-based practices to reduce agricultural nonpoint source pollution impacts to receiving water bodies.

What are the steps to developing and adopting a BMP Manual?
The steps may vary somewhat, but there is generally a defined flow pathway that most BMP Manuals follow. Critical steps usually include: identification of need; creation of Steering Committee; definition of agency roles; formation of technical workgroups; production of draft manual; peer review text; hold public workshops; adopt manual in code; and print manuals for distribution.

Who is involved in BMP Manual development?
BMP Manual development is highly dependent upon stakeholder participation. At a minimum, groups such as the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Water Management Districts, various grower associations, and growers themselves are vital to the process.

Does the OAWP participate in BMP demonstrations?
Yes, OAWP is required under state law to work with the FDEP in a cooperative effort to scientifically demonstrate the water quality effectiveness of adopted BMPs using a select number of farm field sites. In part, BMPs are revised over time based upon the outcome of these demonstration projects.

Why do you submit the Notice of Intent to Implement (NOI) to the OAWP?
The NOI is your formal notification to the Department of your commitment to implement selected practices or BMPs from a Best Management Practice Program adopted by the Department. It is a form of registration with the Department that you intend to participate in a particular BMP Program. Furthermore, the submittal of the NOI is required by law if participating landowners desire eligibility for the waiver of liability, the presumption of compliance with water quality standards, and cost share funds for BMP implementation.

Who should execute the NOI?
The NOI should be executed by the landowner or leaseholder, since he or she is obligating the property to a particular management scenario (BMP).

What information is provided to the OAWP through the NOI?
The NOI provides important information to the Department concerning the owner of the property, a contact person for the property, the size of the property enrolled in the BMP Program, the specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) to be implemented on the property, and the schedule for implementing BMPs where appropriate.

Why does the NOI require Tax IDs/Parcel Numbers or legal descriptions?
Voluntary BMP Programs are an alternative to regulatory programs as tools to address water quality issues relative to agriculture. BMP Programs within the Department are available to growers as a result of statutory provisions established by the Florida Legislature. In order to maintain your access to these alternative BMP Programs in the future, it is important for the Department to report the success of the program to the Legislature. Success is typically measured by the acres of a particular agricultural commodity participating in the appropriate BMP Program. Tax IDs and/or parcel identification numbers (PINs), as obtained from your local tax assessor’s office, are the preferred and most accurate means for reporting the level of participation in our programs.

What funds are available to help landowners implement BMPs?
There are a number of state and federal funds, referred to as cost-share, to assist growers with the implementation of BMPs. These funds are important because some BMPs require more costly, structural retrofits.

How does the OAWP interact with the university system?
University system expertise is routinely incorporated into the entire BMP development and implementation process. OAWP works primarily with the state’s land grant institutions to contract projects dealing with issues such as nitrate reduction in groundwater, nutrient reduction in surface waters, and other collaborative ventures, like developing successful load reduction predictive computer modeling programs.

What role does the OAWP play with the FDEP?
OAWP is listed as a water resources partner, equal with the FDEP and Water Management Districts for agricultural nonpoint source issues. OAWP works alongside FDEP to also coordinate projects under the EPA Section 319 grant program which FDEP is responsible for administering.

What kind of work does the OAWP do with the Water Management Districts?
OAWP field staff are strategically co-located with all five Water Management Districts. Staff members work with Water Management District personnel to better coordinate permitting issues on projects that involve agriculture.

What types of services are available from the OAWP’s field staff?
OAWP field staff stands ready to proactively assist growers with any issues that affect water quality or quantity in the State of Florida.