News Items

-Click here for an overview of Regional Envirothon Dates
-Operation Oak 2009-10: NWTF Regional Program
-Annual Conference and Meeting 2009
-The Latest News from FDACS/OAWP
-Notices to FAW
-Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor's Handbook

Operation Oak 2009-10:  NWTF Regional Program

The NWTF’s Operation Oak program is dedicated to restoring and creating oak habitat throughout the southeast. Last year alone, this program provided over 14,000 oak trees for planting on private lands throughout Florida.   The NWTF has once again shown its commitment to this program in Florida and will have 14,100 trees available to private landowners, including white oak, live oak, swamp chestnut oak, and cherry bark oak. 

All trees will be shipped to pre-determined, centralized locations within the panhandle and peninsular, FL for pick up in February 2010.  A minimum request of 100 trees will be required per species, and landowners interested in participating in this FREE program must be or become a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation.  The NWTF will send a letter to all interested landowners along with an application for completion, and  completed applications must be received no later than December 1, 2009 to be considered for the program. 

If you are interested in participating in this program for 2009-10, please contact Mr. Brian M. Zielinski, NWTF Regional Biologist, @ 386-804-6691 or via email: bzielinski@nwtf.net to receive the Operation Oak program materials. Thank You !

Annual Conference and Meeting 2009

(photos courtesy of Gail Hendricks, Laura Fincannon and Barbara Gill)

Over 150 supervisors, employees, businesses, sponsors, guests and partners attended the Association of Florida Conservation Districts (AFCD) 5th Annual Meeting and Conference held August 6th-9th at the Hyatt Regency on the historic St. Johns River in Jacksonville. 

“This year’s conference was one of the most diverse and successful, offering sessions for everyone.”  said Eva Webb, President. “Each year we grow as an organization, pulling in new partners and supporters, while we continue to foster current partnerships.”

On Thursday evening, an educational river boat tour with Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon on the St. John’s River was the perfect way to start out an exciting series of events.

“The biggest threat to this river and all other rivers in Florida is water withdrawal” Armingeon stated.  “Counties, Cities, and water management districts are starting to look at using our waterways as an Alternative water source to the aquifer.  We promote conservation instead.” Tour attendees only needed to witness the extreme algae blooms to see the current condition of the river, a condition that will only be made worse by withdrawing more water.

 Opening Session began Friday morning with a warm welcome from Area III Deputy Vice President, Archie Mathews immediately followed by an AFCD report from President Eva Webb, FDACS report from Clegg Hooks and an overall NRCS report from Acting State Conservationist Michele Laur, who has enjoyed traveling the state, gaining a different perspective by talking to soil and water conservation district supervisors and employees on the ground level. She also discussed Climate Change and the current policies in Washington D.C. and mentioned that she is there for Districts in our nations Capitol city if we have questions or need assistance.

A sample of presentations and trainings offered at the conference included those on District Reporting Requirements, Farm Bill Programs, Changing Role in Forestry, Invasive Species Partnership, Native Landscape Model Ordinance, Supervisor Training, How to Run Successful Board meetings,  Impacts of New Legislation on Water Conservation and Keeping Districts Legal.  In addition, six individual districts shared their top programs and success stories with the attendees.

In keeping with the theme,” Preserving Florida’s Forests, Protecting Florida’s Rivers”, here were numerous presentations and break-out sessions covering both Forests and Rivers. One of the hottest panel discussion was “Using Conservation as an Alternative Water Resource”.

“In one of the more controversial topics,” state Deborah Schafer, moderator and Area IV Vice President. “Three people on divergent sides came together on an excellent discussion on how soil and water boards can become more active in protecting our rivers and waterways. Our districts can now move forward and be proactive as opposed to reactive”

The highlight of the overall conference was the Commissioner of Agriculture Candidates’ Forum featuring U.S. Representative Adam Putnam, Senator Carey Baker, Eric Draper, Supervisor Thaddeus Hamilton, and past Supervisor and Representative Rick Minton.  Candidates were given five minutes for introductions and then were ask questions by the audience.  Attendees were then given the opportunity to introduce themselves in an informal meet and greet session.

“With our districts’ close relationship to the Commissioner of Agriculture, this was the perfect opportunity to both listen to the upcoming candidates and share our current situation with each of them.” stated Past President Wilbur Dean. “We are so honored to have held this event”

The final banquet ended with Stephen Monroe, the Cowboy Poet, who shared humorous and educational stories of Florida. Awards were presented to John O’Connor, current Vice President of Area V, for his 34 years of service to his district, the FACD, NACD and AFCD; Clegg Hooks, for his sustained support and dedication to the AFCD; and Misty Penton, who was instrumental in making sure the AFCD took all the right steps in securing the contract with the Florida Department of Agriculture, Office of Ag Water Policy.

Recognition was expressed throughout the conference to all of the Sponsors, Volunteers and contributors.  Among those were Vetiver Grass, Private Landowner Network, Florida West Coast RC&D, Whole Foods, members of the Florida Conservation District Employees Association, Florida Crystals, Michele Laur, Bob Stobaugh, Benita Rogers, Gail Hendrix, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, Florida Wildflower Foundation, Apalachicola Sponge Company, Delray Plants, Oglesby Plants International, Kerry’s Bromeliads, Boynton Botanicals, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Farm Bureau, the many districts who donated, Rapid Image Production and of course the enormous support from NRCS.

 

The Latest News from FDACS/OAWP

By Rich Budell, Director

Total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) are water quality targets established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to restore impaired waterbodies to their designated uses (e.g., drinking water, fishing, swimming, shellfish harvesting).  A waterbody may have several TMDLs, one for each targeted pollutant, such as total phosphorus, total nitrogen, iron, and fecal coliform, among others.  FDEP develops and adopts basin management action plans (BMAPs), in coordination with affected interests, to achieve the TMDLs set for some waterbodies.  The BMAPs identify pollutant sources and stakeholder actions for reducing pollutant loadings.    FDEP has adopted BMAPs for the Upper Ocklawaha, Orange Creek, Long Branch, and Lower St. Johns River basins.  BMAPs are being developed or will be initiated in 2009 for about 12 more basins. 

Agricultural nonpoint pollutant sources addressed by a BMAP must either implement BMPs adopted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) or conduct water quality monitoring to demonstrate compliance with TMDLs.  If they do neither, they may be subject to enforcement by FDEP or the applicable water management district.  The FDACS Office of Agricultural Water Policy (FDACS/OAWP) adopts BMPs to assist agriculture in reducing pollutant loads.  These BMPs focus on managing inputs (fertilizer, water, pesticides, etc.) to minimize impacts to water resources while sustaining or improving yields.    

Agricultural producers can enroll in FDACS/OAWP BMPs by submitting a Notice of Intent for the appropriate BMP program.  FDACS/OAWP field staff and contractors work with producers to select and implement the BMPs applicable to their operations.  Contractors include soil and water conservation districts, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and resource conservation and development councils.  
 
- To find out more about FDACS BMP programs, visit www.floridaagwaterpolicy.com   
- For help with enrolling in or implementing BMPs, contact the FDACS Office of Agricultural Water Policy at (850) 617-1727 or AgBmpHelp@doacs.state.fl.us

FDACS/OAWP Agricultural Best Management Practices

OAWP BMP Programs	Area(s) of Application	Status
Ridge Citrus	Non-bedded citrus grown on permeable, better-drained soils	Adopted - Will be updated/ consolidated into a statewide manual
Citrus Groves in Peace River- Manasota Basin	All or part of  Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, DeSoto, Charlotte
Gulf Citrus	All or  part of Hendry, Glades, Lee, Collier, Charlotte
Indian River Area Citrus	All or part of Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach
Lake Okeechobee Watershed	Lake Okeechobee Watershed	Adopted - Under revision
Container Nurseries	Statewide applicability	Adopted - Under revision
Vegetable/ Agronomic Crops	Statewide applicability	Adopted - Under revision
Sod Farms	Statewide applicability	Adopted
Land Application of Manure	Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie River watersheds	Adopted
Cow/Calf Operations	Statewide applicability	Adopted
Equine/Horse Farms	Statewide - commercial equine operations	Under development
Specialty Fruit and Nut	Statewide applicability	Under development

 

Agency Rules Report

According to FS. 120.74 (2), Soil and Water Conservation Districts are required to file an Agency Rules Report each year and send it to
the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House and to each “appropriate standing committees” which would include the Environmental and Natural Resources Council (House), and the Environmental, Preservation and Conservation Committee (Senate).
In addition, now the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee has requested a copy of these reports as well.

Please click Here for a PDF of all the contacts necessary to send this report.
I have included email addresses to save on postage.

 

Financial Compliance Reporting Deadlines

April 30 th -
Local Government Annual Finance Report – For past fiscal year

 

September 30 th –
Audit Report, if required, for the past fiscal year Fiscal Year ends for local governments

 

November 30 th –
Public Depository Due each year for past fiscal year ending September 30 th . This is the bank statement balance issued by the SWCD’s Financial Institution on Sept. 30 th .

 

December 1 st –
Special District Fee, unless exempted through proper filing procedures, for the prior 2 Fiscal Years