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Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner    -    Richard J. Budell, Director

Office of Agricultural Water Policy

The Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP) was established in 1995 by the Florida Legislature to facilitate communications among federal, state, local agencies, and the agricultural industry on water quantity and water quality issues involving agriculture. In this effort, the OAWP is actively involved in the development of Best Management Practices (BMPs), addressing both water quality and water conservation on a site specific, regional, and watershed basis. As a significant part of this effort, the office is directly involved with statewide programs to implement the Federal Clean Water Act's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements for agriculture. The OAWP works cooperatively with agricultural producers and industry groups, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the university system, the Water Management Districts, and other interested parties to develop and implement BMP Programs that are economically and technically feasible.