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In 1999, the Florida Legislature declared that the waters of the state are among its most basic resources and authorized development of a total maximum daily load program. The Impaired Waters Rule was required to set forth: water quality sample collection and analysis requirements, accounting for ambient background conditions, seasonal and other natural variations; approved methodologies; quality assurance and quality control protocols; data modeling; and other appropriate water quality assessment measures. At the time of the last ASAE TMDL Conference in March 2002, the rule was under judicial challenge. Since then, the state administrative law and appeals courts have upheld the rule in full. Florida is now well into the process of implementing this rule.

Several other papers were presented addressing Floridas Flatwoods Citrus BMPs, Middle Suwannee Basin BMPs, Cow/Calf BMPs, and other BMP Programs. Some of these programs are achieving greater than 80% voluntary compliance while others languish. This paper will address the success of these programs to date, BMP effectiveness, the lessons learned, and where difficulties have surfaced.