Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5MER24-9 - Hurricane Debby Replacement Fertilizer Applications

(1) The following counties encountered hurricane force or tropical storm force winds and/or received rainfall that exceeded either three inches in three days or four inches in seven days as a direct result of Hurricane Debby: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Pasco, Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla counties. Producers in these counties that are enrolled in Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Florida Vegetable and Agronomic Crop Operations (Rule Chapter 5M-8, F.A.C.), Florida Sod (Rule Chapter 5M-9, F.A.C.), Florida Cattle Operations (Rule Chapter 5M-11, F.A.C.), Florida Specialty Fruit and Nut Crop Operations (Rule Chapter 5M-13, F.A.C.), Florida Citrus Operations (Rule Chapter 5M-16, F.A.C.), and Florida Dairy Operations (Rule Chapter 5M-17, F.A.C.) are authorized to apply replacement fertilizer applications to reestablish crops impacted by Hurricane Debby.

(2) Replacement fertilizer applications must be made between August 9, 2024, and the expiration of this rule. The Department recommends that producers conduct soil testing or tissue testing to confirm the need for replacement fertilizer prior to applications.

(3) Any replacement fertilizer applications authorized by this rule shall not constitute an improper implementation of best management practices for BMP implementation verification purposes pursuant to Rule Chapter 5M-1, F.A.C.

(4) In addition to nutrient application records required by the department rules referenced in subsection (1), producers applying replacement fertilizer, pursuant to this rule, shall maintain all testing records and nutrient application records for the replacement fertilizer.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5MER24-9

Rulemaking Authority 403.067(7)(c)2., 570.07(10), 570.07(23) FS. Law Implemented 403.067(7)(c)2., 403.067(7)(d)2.c., 403.067(7)(d)3. FS.

Adopted by Florida Register Volume 50, Number 168, August 27, 2024 effective 8/21/2024 (EMERGENCY).