MENU

AskIFAS Powered by EDIS

Español

Handbook of Florida Agricultural Laws: Environmental and Conservation Regulations

Michael T. Olexa and Connor Brock

Preface

This handbook is designed to provide an accurate, current, and authoritative summary of the principal Florida laws that directly or indirectly relate to agriculture. It provides a basic overview of the many rights and responsibilities that farmers and farm land owners have under Florida laws. Many readers may value this handbook because it informs them about these rights and responsibilities, and it provides them with good contacts for more detailed information. However, the reader should be aware that because the laws, administrative rulings, and court decisions on which this handbook is based are subject to constant revision, portions of this handbook could become outdated at any time. Many details of cited laws are also left out due to space limitations.

This handbook is distributed with the understanding that the authors are not engaged in rendering legal or other professional advice. It is not all-inclusive in providing information to achieve compliance with laws and regulations governing the practice of agriculture. For these reasons, the use of these materials by any person constitutes an agreement to hold harmless the authors, UF/IFAS, the Center for Agricultural and Natural Resource Law, and the University of Florida for any liability claims, damages, or expenses that may be incurred by any person as a result of reference to or reliance on the information contained in this handbook.

A Brief Note on Florida Laws and Rulemaking

The Florida laws described in this handbook were passed by the state legislature and have become valid state laws. The appropriate state agency then wrote specific rules based on each law. These rules are what the state agencies use to enforce the law. For most laws in this handbook, that agency is the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS). Florida legislated laws, also called statutes, are organized into chapters. A chapter is divided even further into specific statutes. For example, Chapter 601 (Florida Citrus Code) contains dozens of sections covering topics ranging from marketing, inspection standards, and processing to prohibitions on the use of certain chemicals for citrus fruit. Other chapters may deal with a narrower subject and have far fewer sections. As noted above, the specific rules for each of these sections are written by a designated state agency, and generally go into greater detail. You can view the Florida Statutes online at http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes.

Introduction

This handbook can be used to learn which Florida laws apply to a particular agricultural project or subject, and to find the name, address, and telephone number of a state office that can provide more specific information or services. Created for readers with no prior experience in the law, the handbook is designed as a necessary first step in recognizing which agricultural activities merit special attention because of their implications to agriculture. The handbook also provides an introduction to the crucial agencies and statutes which govern agricultural law.

The online handbook is divided into a Table of Contents, Index, and six fact sheets. The Table of Contents gives general and specific areas of Florida laws related to agriculture and the number of the fact sheet where that topic can be found. The six fact sheets are as follows: FE114, General Agriculture-Related Laws; FE115, Animal Husbandry; FE116, Crops and Products; FE117, Related Non-Crop or Product Agricultural Topics; FE118, Environmental and Conservation Regulations; and FE119, Taxation and Property Rights Related to Agricultural Land. The user can find the specific laws by using either the Table of Contents (FE113) or the Index (FE122).

Below is an example of using the handbook if your area of interest is farming exotic animals such as ostriches.

To use the Table of Contents to find the topic:

  1. Find "Animal Husbandry" in the Table of Contents (FE113).
  2. Within the Animal Husbandry area locate "Livestock—Exotic Animals" and follow the link to FE115 (Animal Husbandry).
  3. In FE115, read the "General Descriptions" and "Related References, Details, and Exceptions" columns for both laws under "Livestock—Exotic Animals" to determine if the information answers the questions or if more information is needed.
  4. If the user wants more information regarding the general farming or inspection and slaughter of an exotic animal (e.g., ostriches), locate the appropriate state office telephone number and address. The primary contact agency information is listed at the end of the fact sheet, along with abbreviation information.

To use the Index to find the topic:

  1. Look up "ostriches" in the Index (FE122). The index leads the reader to the location for information about the culture and inspection/slaughter of ostriches.
  2. Follow steps 3 and 4 above to find the contact information.

Division of the Tables

The table in each fact sheet has five columns of information. The first column, "Statute / Law (description)," either provides the law's name or a general description when no name is available. The second column, "Florida Statute Number", lists either a chapter number (when an entire chapter relates to a particular topic), a range of sections, or a single specific section. At times, a single chapter number may have many more laws than a range. For example, sections 593.101 to 593.117 cover a narrower field, the control of cotton boll weevil, than does the larger Chapter 601 on citrus fruit. The chapter and section number in all columns are presented without the typical abbreviations or symbols.

Columns 3 and 4 provide brief descriptions and related references, details, and exceptions. This information is highly condensed. As such, not all information is provided. The authors have attempted to include the most relevant aspects of each listed law. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the offices noted in the final column, "Primary Contact Agencies." As noted above, the primary contact information is listed at the end of the fact sheet. The reader will find that the state and federal agencies are unquestionably the best targets for specific questions, as they are in close touch with both the formal and practical considerations of the areas that they regulate.

This publication can be improved with your ideas and suggestions. Comments regarding any areas which may have been omitted, but deserve inclusion, are particularly valuable. Reader feedback is a necessary ingredient to complete any successful future editions. Please send your comments or suggestions to:

Michael T. Olexa
Director, Center for Agricultural and Natural Resource Law
UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department
PO Box 110240
Gainesville, FL 32611-0240

Acknowledgment

The authors are indebted to the personnel of both state and federal agencies who gave of their time and advice in the preparation of this handbook. The authors are also indebted to the O.R. and Shirley Minton and the James S. and Dorothy F. Wershow Endowments for funding assistance in the development of this handbook, and Andra Johnson, Ph.D., dean and professor, Office of Dean for Extension and the Florida Cooperative Extension Service.

Table 1. 

Florida agricultural laws: Environmental and conservation regulations in Florida.

Statute / Law (description)

Florida Statute Number

General Description

Related References, Details, and Exceptions

Primary Contact Agencies

A. Uses and Storage of Water

General law regarding permitting the consumptive uses of water

373.203 – 373.250

Requires permits for water uses above specified amounts from wells and surface waters. Specific requirements/permitting are responsibility of Water Management Districts (WMDs).

DEP or WMD can formulate plans for periods of water shortage, which may modify permitted consumption by a water user (373.246). During water shortages, applies to withdrawals from surface waters and aquifers. See 2004-381, section 4, establishing 373.2234, requiring WMDs to identify "preferred water supply sources for consumptive uses" that provide substantial new water supplies without adverse impact. Consumptive use permits for use of such water sources must be granted for a 20-year period if all other obligations are met (373.2234(c)). See 2004-381, section 8, establishing 373.227, requiring WMDs and other stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive statewide water conservation program, which may impact consumptive use permits. See 2009-243, section 19, requiring WMDs and other stakeholders to develop "landscape irrigation and Florida-friendly landscaping design standards for new construction" for improved water efficiency (373.228).

DEP

WMD

Law regarding construction, repair, and abandonment of wells (Regulation of Wells).

373.302 – 373.342

Regulates well construction, repair, and abandonment, and requires certification of well contractors.

Permits are not required for domestic consumption by individual users for private shallow wells and for certain other uses, but wells must comply with local and state well construction requirements (373.326). County health departments should be consulted for well placement. Pollution of aquifer with hazardous waste through wells involves federal CERCLA/Superfund laws for environmental cleanup. See 2009-243, section 9, updating licensure requirements for water well contractors (373.323).

DEP

WMD

Law excluding agricultural activities from DEP dredge and fill permits

403.927

Recognizes the value of farming and forestry, and excludes agricultural activities and agricultural water management systems from typical DEP dredge and fill permit requirements required under 403.087.

Exempts farming operations from one type of permitting, and authorizes WMDs to regulate water discharge from agricultural operations by way of stormwater or other discharge permits, such as MSSW (Management and Storage of Surface Water) permits.

NOTE: To be exempt from Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) permit, the farming activity must be part of an ongoing farming operation and cannot be associated with bringing a wetland into agricultural production or converting agricultural wetland to a non-wetland area. Established (ongoing) farming, ranching, and silviculture activities such as plowing, seeding, cultivating, minor drainage, harvesting for the production of food, fiber, and forest products, or upland soil and water conservation practices. (CWA 404(f)(1)). Section 404 CWA permitting requirements apply only to discharges of dredged or fill materials in wetlands, streams, or rivers, and “other waters of the United States.” In general, farming activities that do not occur in wetlands or other waters of the United States or do not involve dredged or fill material do not require Section 404 permits.

DEP

WMD

EPA

Laws regarding management and storage of surface waters (MSSW)

373.403 – 373.468

Gives rule-making authority to protect water resources. Requires MSSW permit for structures that can connect to, draw water from, or drain water into bodies of surface water (e.g., impoundments, dams, reservoirs, and stormwater systems). Need special permits for wetlands generally (373.414), Miami-Dade County Lake Belt (373.4149), the Everglades (373.4592) [note: lands used for agricultural purposes within the areas as defined by 373.4592(15) may be subject to an agricultural privilege tax, such as the Everglades Agricultural privilege tax, 373.4592(6)], Florida Bay (373.4593), Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (including Lake Okeechobee watershed, the Caloosahatchee River watershed, and the St. Lucie River watershed) (373.4595), Geneva Freshwater Lens (373.4597), Lake Apopka (373.461), and the Harris Chain of Lakes (373.468).

These laws do not apply to the normal practices of agriculture, forestry, floriculture, or horticulture that merely alter the contour of the land (373.406(2)), or to certain aspects of agricultural closed systems (373.406(3)). Permits are needed for structures that impact surface waters, such as dredging or filling canals, dams, or impoundments. Authorizes the DEP or WMDs to require headgates, valves, and measuring devices to regulate and to measure water flow being discharged or diverted, and prohibits tampering with the devices (373.409). Allows for mitigation and mitigation banking to offset activities that degrade surface waters (373.4135). Permits for wetland activities are obtained from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, DEP, and/or the appropriate WMD and are required.. (373.4144(2)(a)) Following best management practices (BMP) generally assures compliance after issuance of permit. Permit may be required from WMD to abandon most water management structures (373.426). 373.4143–373.4144 requires consolidation of federal and state permitting procedures/plans dealing with wetlands and navigable waters.

DEP

WMD

Law regarding wastewater use for spray irrigation

403.135

Relieves good faith user of wastewater from liability due to damages from proper application of wastewater that was permitted and intended for spray irrigation use.

Does not limit the liability due to negligent or reckless activities. Owners of wastewater treatment plants remain liable. See 403.064 about reuse of reclaimed waters. See also "Laws regarding solid waste management" and the use of sludge (residuals) on farmland.

DEP

B. Activities on Farmland

Law releasing property owners from liability for cattle-dipping vats

376.306

Relieves private owners of liability for costs, damages, or penalties resulting from participation in cattle fever tick eradication program and related cattle-dipping vats.

Applies retroactively for activities beginning in the year 1906.

DACS

DEP

Law excluding farming and forestry activities from certain environmental standards

403.927

While DEP will not enforce water quality standards within an agricultural water management system, it may require stormwater permit at the point of discharge from system. (403.927(2)). WMD will regulate impact of agricultural activity and agricultural water management system on groundwater quality.

Exempts farm and forestry operations that comply with other regulations from complying with water quality standards within their operations. Impacts to groundwater or surface water beyond farm/forest operations are subject to regulation. Liability exists for discharges of pollution that damages wetlands (376.121).

DEP

WMD

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) management [Note: Occurs when rainfall or irrigation runs over or through the ground, picking up pollutants (fertilizers and pesticides) throughout watershed, and depositing them in lakes, rivers, coastal waters, or groundwater.]

403.067(7),  576.045

Implements and develops a total maximum daily load program as required by 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act. Intended to provide improved coordination and cooperation among various departments and private interests to achieve restoration of listed water bodies impaired by point and nonpoint sources of pollution.

Allows DACS to develop and adopt by rule, interim measures, best management practices, or other measures necessary to achieve reductions in agricultural pollution in listed water bodies. Landowners are presumed to be in compliance with state water quality standards (576.045(5)) as long as interim measures, best management practices, or other measures approved by DACS are followed. Requires landowners to keep accurate records for implementing program (576.045(6)). See 373.4592 (Everglades) and 373.4595 (Lake Okeechobee) regarding specific listed areas.

DACS

DEP

WMD

Law promoting preservation of native flora

581.185 – 581.187

Prohibits willful destruction or harvesting of endangered or commercially exploited plants without land owner's written permission and permit from DPI. Prohibits willful destruction/harvesting of threatened plants without private land owner's written permission.

Any activity regarding endangered or threatened plants must be consistent with federal Endangered Species Act of 1973. Taking an endangered plant species without appropriate permit is prohibited. "All Florida Indians, as defined in Florida Statute 285.11, are exempt from prohibitions and penalties of 585.185" (581.187).

DACS

DPI

Florida Endangered and Threatened Species Act

379.2291

Provides for research and management to conserve and protect endangered and threatened species.

Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 supersedes state law. 379.411 states it is a third degree felony to kill or wound any species that the FWC designates as threatened, endangered, or of special concern (See 379.401(11)(b)). 379.2292 establishes a program to reward informants of people violating this Act. 581.185–581.187 deal with endangered plants. 373.414 considers adverse effects on endangered, threatened, and special concern species or their habitats as one factor in permitting changes in surface waters or wetlands (subject to exemptions and mitigation).

DPI

EPA

FWC

Laws regarding solid waste management

403.702 – 403.7721

Regulates wastes, including agricultural waste, municipal waste, sludge, compost, recyclable materials, used motor oil, and yard waste. Regulates waste handling, classification, disposal and recycling.

Burning vegetative waste: Section 403.707(2)(e) allows burning of plant and other material, but must comply with local restrictions, which are often stricter. Compost Law allows normal composting of farm wastes produced in normal farming operations when applied to land where waste was generated, but DEP prohibits using compost to fill any surface water body or applying a compost that would endanger public health or the environment. Wastewater Plant Residuals (Sludge): DEP and local governments regulate types of residuals that can be applied.

Hazardous Waste: Hazardous waste is also regulated by more restrictive state and federal laws such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which gives the EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from start to finish.

DEP

EPA

Laws regarding pollutant storage tank systems

376.303

Authorizes DEP to establish rules regarding construction, permitting, registration, and record keeping for tanks that hold pollutants such as oil, gasoline, pesticide, chlorine, and ammonia compounds. Requires a procedure for abandonment of pollutant storage tanks.

County regulations may be stricter than state rules and should be consulted. State rules do not require DEP registration for above or below ground tanks with a capacity of 550 gallons or less that are used for agriculture related storage (376.301(18)). However, all tanks are subject to spill reporting requirements for spills over 100 gallons on impervious surfaces other than secondary containment areas (such as asphalt or concrete driveways), provided the spill does not come into contact with pervious surfaces. (62-761.430(5)(e) FAC) 376.3071–376.3072 pertain to contamination from leaks and spills from tanks, cleanup of contaminated area, and liability for cleanup costs.

DEP

DOH

Laws regarding onsite sewage disposal

381.0065

Authorizes DOH to set regulations for small onsite sewage disposal systems. DOH requires permits for installation, repair, or abandonment of all onsite sewage systems.

Counties often require separate permits in addition to DOH permits. DEP may further regulate systems that process over 10,000 gallons of domestic sewage per day.

DEP

DOH

C. Conservation of Soil, Water, Farmland, and Forests

Laws regarding soil and water conservation

582.01 – 582.32

Authorizes DACS to adopt rules and implement programs to control and prevent soil erosion, thereby preserving soils and other natural resources.

Provides for creation of a soil and water conservation district (582.10–582.14). A district may conduct surveys, investigations, and demonstrations, and may take certain actions to control or prevent soil erosion (582.20). A public referendum must be held to approve any land use regulation proposed by a district (581.12). Provides for discontinuance of a district by petition and referendum (582.30). See 2003-97, amending 582.10, 582.30, changing the number of land owners from 25% to 10% within a territory as needed to petition the formation or closure of a soil and water conservation district.

DACS

Law regarding conservation easement

704.06

Defines and establishes rights and duties regarding conservation easements.

Conservation easements are perpetual restrictions against changing use of property from an existing use, such as forest or farm, to protect natural resources. A land owner and a governmental or charitable organization may agree for the easement to provide for a perpetual use of land that conserves natural resources.

DACS

NOTE: Environmental and conservation laws and regulations often are complex and controlled at the federal, state, regional, and local levels. Penalties for violations of the law can be severe. This table gives an extremely brief review of the major state laws that relate to agriculture. Farmers should check with the proper contact agencies or with local extension agents to determine the requirements for complying with the law in a particular situation.

Table 2. 

Contact agencies

DACS

DEP

DOH

DPI

EPA

FWC

WMD

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Department of Environmental Protection

Department of Health

Division of Plant Industry

Environmental Protection Agency

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Water Management Districts

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS)

Office of the Commissioner

Plaza Level 10, The Capitol

400 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800

(800) 435-7352 [voice, toll-free, Florida residents]

(850) 410-3800 [voice, non-Florida residents]

http://www.freshfromflorida.com/

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, M.S. 49

Tallahassee, FL 32399

(850) 245-2118 [voice]

(850) 245-2128 [fax]

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/

 

Central District—Orlando

District Management

3319 Maguire Boulevard, Suite 232

Orlando, FL 32803-3767

(407) 897-4100 [voice]

DEP_CD@dep.state.fl.us

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/central/

 

Northeast District—Jacksonville

District Management

8800 Baymeadows Way West, Suite 100

Jacksonville, FL 32256

(904) 256-1700 [voice]

(904) 256-1588 [fax]

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/northeast/

 

Northwest District—Pensacola

District Management

160 West Governmental Stree, Suite 308

Pensacola, FL 32502

(850) 595-8300 [voice]

(850) 595-8417 [fax]

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/northwest/

 

South District—Fort Myers

District Management

2295 Victoria Avenue, Suite 364

Fort Myers, FL 33902-2549

(239) 344-5600 [voice]

(850) 412-0590 [fax]

https://floridadep.gov/south

 

Southeast District—West Palm Beach

District Management

3301 Gun Club Rd, MSC 7210-1

West Palm Beach, FL 33406

(561) 681-6600 [voice]

(561) 681-6755 [fax]

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/southeast/

 

Southwest District—Tampa

District Management

13051 North Telecom Parkway, Suite 101

Temple Terrace, FL 33637

(813) 470-5700 [voice]

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/southwest/

Florida Department of Health (DOH)

Bureau of Environmental Health

4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A08

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1709

(850) 245-4444 [voice]

(850) 922-8473 [fax]

http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/

Division of Plant Industry (DPI)

1911 SW 34th Street

Gainesville, FL 32608

(352) 395-4700 [voice]

(352) 395-4610 [fax]

(888) 397-1517 [helpline, toll-free, inside the United States]

(352) 395-4600 [helpline, outside the United States]

PlantIndustry@FDACS.gov

http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Plant-Industry

Environmental Protection Agency

Contacts for EPA National Offices

http://www.epa.gov

https://www.epa.gov/home/epa-hotlines

 

EPCRA & Superfund Call Center

Provides information on Superfund and EPCRA questions

(800) 424-9346 [voice, toll-free]

 

Toxic Release Inventory—Community Right to Know – EPCRA Hotline

Source of information concerning waste management activities and toxic chemicals

(800) 424-9346 [voice, toll-free]

 

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Hotline

Provides technical assistance and information about toxic substances programs

(202) 554-1404 [voice]

(202) 554-5603 [fax]

tsca-hotline@epa.gov

 

National Pesticide Information Center

Provides information on pesticides and pesticide poisonings

(800) 858-7378 [voice, toll-free]

(541) 737-0761 [fax]

npic@ace.orst.edu

 

Florida Pesticide Regulation

Division of Agricultural Environmental Services (DAES)

Bureau of Compliance Monitoring

3125 Conner Boulevard, Suite E

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650

(850) 617-7900 [voice]

(850) 617-1701 [fax]

http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Agricultural-Environmental-Services

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4

Contacts within EPA Region 4 (includes Florida)

 

General Information for Region 4:

United States EPA Region 4

Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center

61 Forsyth Street, SW

Atlanta, GA 30303-8960

(404) 562-9900 [voice]

(800) 241-1754 [voice, toll-free]

(404) 562-8174 [fax]

 

National Response Center

(800) 424-8802 [voice, toll-free]

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Farris Byrant Building

620 South Meridian Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

(850) 488-4676 [voice]

http://myfwc.com/

Florida Water Management Districts (WMD)

 

Northwest Florida Water Management District

81 Water Management Drive

Havana, FL 32333

(850) 539-5999 [voice]

(850) 539-2777 [fax]

https://www.nwfwater.com/

 

St. Johns River Water Management District

Post Office Box 1429

Palatka, FL 32178-1429

(386) 329-4500 [voice]

(800) 451-7106 [voice, toll-free]

https://www.sjrwmd.com/

 

South Florida Water Management District

3301 Gun Club Road

Post Office Box 24680

West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4680

(561) 686-8800 [voice]

(800) 432-2045 [voice, toll-free]

http://www.sfwmd.gov/

 

Southwest Florida Water Management District

2379 Broad Street

Brooksville, FL 34606-6899

(352) 796-7211 [voice]

(800) 423-1476 [voice, toll-free]

http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/

 

Suwannee River Water Management District

9225 County Road 49

Live Oak, FL 32060

(386) 362-1001 [voice]

(800) 226-1066 [voice, toll-free]

http://www.srwmd.state.fl.us/

Also Available in: Español

Publication #FE118

Release Date:May 31, 2022

Related Experts

Olexa, Michael T.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Related Topics

Fact Sheet
Commercial

About this Publication

This document is FE118, one of a series of the Food and Resource Economics Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1999. Revised April 2004, December 2007, June 2014, August 2018, and May 2022. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Michael T. Olexa, professor, Department of Food and Resource Economics, director, Center for Agricultural and Natural Resource Law, and member, The Florida Bar; and Connor Brock, student, University of Florida Levin College of Law; UF/IFAS Extension Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Michael Olexa