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The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program requirements of the federal Clean Water Act are requiring states to develop new initiatives for managing agricultural nonpoint sources. In Florida, public agencies and the agricultural community are taking the lead in implementing a watershed-based process for BMP development.

In 1998, Florida took the initiative to begin the development of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Indian River Area citrus groves. By adopting and enacting the BMPs, growers hoped to minimize the effects of regulation, legislation, and litigation concerning the EPAs establishment of total maximum daily loads for the estuary and lagoon. The BMP process has produced an extensive BMP manual, initiated a series of workshops and on-farm demonstrations, and obtained funding to conduct a massive on-farm outreach project. This paper explains the project and presents some lessons learned about developing consensus among the diverse interests involved in developing BMPs.