29746813 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services


Notice: 29746813
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing

Department:	WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS
Division:	South Florida Water Management District


Overview



	The Public Workshop for the Everglades Agricultural Area Environmental Protection District Research Permit Renewal on Improving Best Management Practice Efficiency in the Everglades Agricultural Area announces a workshop to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME:	Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 9:30 AM

PLACE:	University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF IFAS) Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) Conference Center 3200 East Palm Beach Road Belle Glade, FL 33430

Subject:	The 1994 Everglades Forever Act (EFA), Section 373.4592, Florida Statutes (F.S.), required the District to amend Chapter 40E-63, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), to establish requirements of Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) landowners to sponsor, through the EAA Environmental Protection District (EAAEPD) or otherwise, and implement a comprehensive program of research, testing and implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will assist in addressing water quality standards within the EAA and the Everglades Protection Area. Accordingly, this program was adopted as Part III of Chapter 40E-63, F.A.C., to establish a schedule of BMP research, testing and implementation to address water quality parameters that are not being significantly improved by Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) and the current level of BMPs being implemented throughout the EAA, and to identify strategies needed to address such parameters. This research program shall be approved via a Master Permit and include field testing of BMPs in a sufficient number of representative sites in the EAA to reflect soil and crop types, as well as factors that affect BMP effectiveness and design. Originally issued in 1997, the Master Permit must be renewed every five-years. The District has reviewed the EAAEPD Master Permit renewal application including the Scope of Work (scope) for BMP research, testing and implementation to address water quality standards in accordance with the requirements of the EFA. Pursuant to Rule 40E-63.310, F.A.C., a public workshop for presentation and discussion of the scope is required prior to making a written final determination on the scope and Master Permit renewal application. The workshop agenda includes an introduction describing the regulatory requirements followed by a technical presentation and discussion of the proposed scope. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments at the public workshop or via email until August 15, 2025. The District will provide a written determination on the scope within 60 days following the workshop, but no later than September 14, 2025. The public and stakeholders will have an opportunity to view and comment on the workshop by attending in-person or utilizing the following link: https://sfwmd.link/4kKhQ7u. This link will go live at approximately 9:30 AM on July 16, 2025. One or more members of the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District may attend this workshop. No Governing Board action will be taken.


	A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Gary Priest at 863-462-5260, Ext. 3016 or gpriest@sfwmd.gov. The agenda will be posted to the District’s website www.SFWMD.gov/meetings, seven days prior to the meeting.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:	7/3/2025 Vol. 51/129


REFERENCE MATERIALS:	No reference(s).

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Overview