Section 5M-1.010 - Temporarily Inactive Operations(1) To qualify as a Temporarily Inactive Operation under the best management practices (BMP) programs listed in subsection (2) or (3) of this rule, an Enrollee must: (a) Have been engaged in active agricultural production on parcels for which temporarily inactive status is being sought within the preceding five (5) years or, if in citrus production, ten (10) years of the date of notification required in paragraph 5M-1.010(1)(d), F.A.C.;(b) Be enrolled in the BMP programs as provided in any of Chapters 5M-2 through 5M-14 or 5M-16 through 5M-19, F.A.C., on applicable parcels and production activities;(c) Maintain the land as fallow for more than one year; and(d) Notify the Department in writing to AgBmpHelp@FDACS.gov or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Agricultural Water Policy, 407 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399, and request classification as a Temporarily Inactive Operation. Such notification shall include: 1. Identification of the parcel to be classified as a Temporarily Inactive Operation, including the existing Notice of Intent to Implement BMPs (NOI) numbers, parcel numbers and geographic extent of those areas to be classified as temporarily inactive;2. Confirmation that the Enrollee meets the requirements of paragraphs 5M-1.010(1)(a) and 5M-1.010(1)(b), F.A.C.; and3. Statement that the Enrollee intends to return to active agricultural production on those parcels subject to temporarily inactive status within a time period not to exceed five (5) years from the date of notification, unless the production areas are verified as still inactive by the Department prior to the expiration of the five-year period.(2) For Temporarily Inactive Operations, the following BMPs shall be applicable and constitute the basis for verification of the status of implementation: (a) No fertilizer is applied to the inactive parcel in any form;(b) Installed or constructed surface water management systems and structures are operated in accordance with a permit issued pursuant to Section 373.4131, F.S. In the absence of such a permit, the system and structures are maintained in working order and operated consistent with the practices below: 1. For ditch systems that contain water control structures, remove boards only when necessary to prevent adverse hydrologic impacts to adjacent parcels; and2. During the inactive period, fixed weirs or other means of outfall shall be maintained, or repaired if necessary, to achieve the same level of service as when the operation was enrolled or the infrastructure was constructed.(c) During the inactive period, the primary infrastructure for irrigation or water table management systems shall be maintained at the same condition as when the operation became inactive. Primary infrastructure does not include secondary distribution pumps;(d) Implement measures to prevent or control woody exotic and invasive vegetative species listed in Rule 5B-57.007, F.A.C.; and(e) Manage and store chemicals, fuels, and other regulated materials on the property as required by state and federal law.(3) Enrollees who have executed, or expect to be under, a contract, easement, or other agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, a water management district, or the Department to operate a water resource project shall operate in compliance with the terms of such contract, easement, or other agreement. The Enrollee must return to active agricultural production within five (5) years of the expiration or termination of the contract, easement, or other agreement, including any extensions and amendments. If the operations are terminated prior to the expiration due to lack of funding, the time period to return to active agricultural operation shall begin from the last date of operating the system.(4) Those areas within an existing NOI that are not subject to classification as Temporarily Inactive Operations shall remain subject to the conditions of the existing NOI.(5) An Enrollee who has a parcel(s) classified as a Temporarily Inactive Operation must notify the Department in writing to AgBmpHelp@FDACS.gov or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Agricultural Water Policy, 407 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399, and request re-classification or enroll in BMPs specific to their commodity within 60 days of starting production.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5M-1.010
Rulemaking Authority 403.067(7)(c)2., 403.067(7)(d)2.c., 570.07(10), 570.07(23) FS. Law Implemented 403.067(7)(c)2., 403.067(7)(d)2.c. FS.
Adopted by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 083, April 28, 2020 effective 5/12/2020, Amended by Florida Register Volume 50, Number 202, October 15, 2024 effective 10/30/2024.