Southwest Florida Water Management District August Report

FARMS Program Rule Update

Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS) is a Best Management Practices (BMPs) cost-share program created in 2003 by a partnership between the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The main goal of the FARMS Program is to offset 40 million gallons per day (mgd) of groundwater by 2025.

In July 2006, the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC) requested that SWFWMD enter into rulemaking regarding the FARMS Program. The Governing Board approved initiation of rulemaking in October 2006.

At the August 2008 SWFWMD Governing Board meeting, the board approved the final FARMS Program rule (Rule 40D-26). Specific rule language is as follows:

Agricultural operations located within the District that are in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, all District issued permits and all District funding agreements that have been operational for the preceding 3 years are eligible for the program. Agricultural operations less than 3 years old are eligible if the project will result in a reduction in the use of groundwater. A project shall not be eligible if the applicant previously received program funds and construction of the funded project has not commenced.
The following projects are eligible for the program:

(a) Implementation of BMPs that reduce withdrawals from the Upper Floridan Aquifer or from any combination of ground, surface or reclaimed water sources and have a cost-benefit that is equal to or less than the Model Farms Costs;

(b) Implementation of BMPs that improve ground or surface water quality impacted by groundwater withdrawals; and

(c) Implementation of BMPs that improve natural system functions within the Upper Myakka River Watershed.

The District shall fund projects that meet all conditions of eligibility set forth in Rule 40D-26.101, F.A.C., subject to available funding. If the District receives completed applications for projects that exceed available funding, the District shall first fund those projects that qualify for a 75% cost-share rate as set forth in Rule 40D-26.401(1)(b), F.A.C., and then those projects that have the greatest reduction in withdrawals from the Upper Floridan Aquifer, provided there are sufficient funds to fully fund each project as set forth in Rule 40D-26.401, F.A.C. A complete application means that all information in Rule 40D-26.201, F.A.C., has been submitted with sufficient detail for the District to determine eligibility.

Other rule language includes a requirement for a pre-application meeting between the applicant and the District, a new FARMS Program application, and requirement of notification in writing whether or not a proposed project is eligible for FARMS Program funding.

SWFWMD On-Line User Survey

SWFWMD is developing an on-line application system for Water Use Permits (WUPs) and is seeking permit holders to take a 10-question survey to aid in the development of a web portal. The District’s goal is to develop a web portal that is user friendly and helpful to permit holders. You can take the survey on-line at: http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/survey/wup/

Current Rainfall Data (2008)