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BMP Cost Share Program

BMP Cost Share Program

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Click here for more information and to apply: FDACS BMP Cost Share Program

 

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP) administers the Best Management Practices (BMP) Cost Share Program to assist eligible producers or landowners with BMPs. Project funding is on a continuous basis until program funds are fully encumbered.

OAWP will prioritize awarding first-time participants in the BMP Cost Share Program and projects that will result in the highest level of nutrient reductions to help achieve basin management action plan (BMAP) goals and conservation of water use. Funding will be based on the submittal of the necessary information on the funding request. Completed requests will be reviewed in the order in which they are received. Review of each cost share funding request will be conducted by FDACS. Additional information from the producer, including a site visit, may be requested by FDACS before a funding decision is made. 

FDACS will review completed requests based on the following minimum criteria: 

  1. Confirmation of producer eligibility. 
  2. Prioritization of projects taking place in a BMAP. 
  3. Confirmation that the project type is on the approved list, to be used for implementing a checklist item, has an adequate relative water quality benefit, and is appropriate for the size of the operation. 
  4. Affirmation of the water quality benefit or water quantity benefit and the relative size and scope of the benefit. 
  5. Confirmation that the project type has the necessary precision/technology features. 

Producer Eligibility Requirements

When applying, producers must meet the following requirements for their funding request to be considered: 

  1. The property where the prospective project is located must be in production for at least one year prior to applying (regardless of ownership/lease). 
  2. The producer must have an active Notice of Intent to Implement Agricultural BMPs (NOI) for the property where the proposed project will take place. 
  3. An implementation verification (IV) site visit must have been performed within the last two years (exceptions available if in a storm-impacted region). 
  4. The producer must provide a statement regarding any previous or current compliance action that resulted in an administrative order with a water management district, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, or FDACS, if applicable. 
  5. Dairy producers must have an up-to-date nutrient management plan or comprehensive nutrient management plan. This requirement is not applicable to other producers. 

Producers that do not satisfy the eligibility criteria can work with FDACS to become eligible.

Cost Share Funding Percentages 

FDACS will match or overmatch other agency/entity funding as long as the total cost share award does not exceed 90% of the total cost to the awarded producer. 

If there are no other agency/entity funding partners, FDACS will allow for cost share reimbursement up to a maximum project total of $150,000 per project for approved services, equipment and improvements.  

Awarded cost share percentage will depend on the project’s relative water quality benefit and the awarded producer’s level of data collection and reporting. Exceptions to the percent cost share or maximum allowable amount will be reviewed and approved in writing by the director of the Office of Agricultural Water Policy or designee on a case-by-case basis. Most cost share agreements average 75%.

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