Opinion: You Can Bet On BMPs
August 20, 2010 We at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) recognize the many economic and regulatory pressures the agricultural industry faces today that threaten the viability of farms, ranches, and nurseries. We want to keep this important industry alive in our state, to have fruits and vegetables, meat, milk, ornamental plants, and other agricultural products that are “Fresh from Florida.” Can you imagine a time when we grow only houses, and all our food comes from outside our state, or even outside our nation?
Although FDACS has many programs that support agriculture in Florida, I want to focus on our best management practices (BMPs) programs for water quality and water conservation. These programs help agriculture meet its statutory responsibility for protecting water resources and increase agriculture’s environmental and economic sustainability in the state. We already have BMPs for citrus, vegetable and row crop, container nursery, sod, cow/calf, forestry, and aquaculture available for use by producers, and will soon have BMPs for the specialty fruit/nut and equine industries. Key BMPs address nutrient management, irrigation management, sediment and erosion control, and water resources protection, among other things.
Back in January, in order to settle a lawsuit, the federal EPA proposed its own numeric limits for nutrients in lakes and flowing rivers in Florida. This action by the federal government, overriding a traditional state responsibility, has created confusion and concern among all those who might be affected. Many have questions about the scientific basis for the criteria and whether they could ever be achieved.
Because of EPA’s action, agricultural producers who are not yet enrolled in the BMP program are asking whether they should implement FDACS-adopted BMPs, or just hold out. I assure you that now is the time to participate in these BMPs, and I urge you to do so. Regardless of whether EPA’s numeric nutrient criteria become part of Florida’s water quality standards, current state law gives a presumption of compliance with state standards to agricultural producers who enroll in and implement FDACS-adopted BMPs.
Agricultural producers who participate in FDACS BMPs help maintain support for this non-regulatory approach to protecting and conserving Florida’s water resources. BMPs also may save you time and money through more efficient nutrient and irrigation management.
FDACS staff can help you determine the BMPs that are appropriate for your operation and assist you in filling out a BMP checklist. You may already be using many of these practices.
For additional information on BMPs, visit www.floridaagwaterpolicy.com. For help with enrolling in BMPs, eMail [email protected] or call 850-617-1727.
