The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is updating all Basin Management Action Plans (BMAP) by July 1, 2025. This update involves adding five-year milestones as mandated by House Bill 1379, passed in 2023.
Each BMAP has allocations assigned to entities, including agriculture, which must meet nutrient reduction targets for total nitrogen and/or total phosphorus. Several BMAPs are expected to have their first five-year milestones in 2027 or 2028. By then, they need to achieve 60% of their assigned nutrient reductions. For the agricultural sector, this can be accomplished by enrolling in the FDACS best management practices program and participating in the cost-share program if interested.
In surface water BMAPs, FDEP is updating models to refine allocation assignments. The St. Johns River model is projected for completion in 2028, impacting six BMAPs in that area with revised allocations.
For springs BMAPs, FDEP employs a tool known as the Nitrogen Source Inventory Loading Tool (NSILT) to assess nitrogen loading to groundwater and springs.
FDEP has been conducting public meetings regarding these updates, attended by Florida Farm Bureau Federation staff who will continue participating to ensure the use of accurate data for agricultural producers.
