From Commissioner Adam H. Putnam
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
Adam Putnam
Every year, the Florida Legislature kicks off its annual 60-day legislative session to help govern and fund our great state.
This session, we have an opportunity to pass meaningful water policy reform that will help meet the needs of our growing population and thriving economy, while protecting our most precious natural resources. This proposed legislation is a much-needed step forward that accounts for a long-term, science-based and strategic approach to protecting our water.
To help protect and manage Florida’s precious water resources, this legislation, among other things, enhances our department’s Best Management Practices program, which implements cutting edge-technology and innovative practices to help preserve and protect Florida’s water resources.
More than 11 million acres of agricultural land is already enrolled in this program, and as a result of these partnerships and the hard work of the agriculture community, we’re saving 12 billion gallons of water per year and we’ve reduced phosphorus loads in the Everglades Agricultural Area by 79 percent.
This session, the Florida Legislature has a real opportunity to address our state’s greatest long term challenge, water. Thanks to Senate President Gardiner and House Speaker Crisafulli for working to make Florida a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Sincerely,
Adam