{"id":76,"date":"2015-05-08T21:44:48","date_gmt":"2015-05-08T21:44:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.piecenter.com\/pep\/?page_id=76"},"modified":"2015-06-29T12:49:44","modified_gmt":"2015-06-29T12:49:44","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.piecenter.com\/pep\/bmap\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"Basin Management Action Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Download PDF<\/a><\/p>\n

A basin management action plan (most often referred to as a BMAP) is a plan designed to restore an impaired water body by reducing pollutants in the local land area that is impacting the water body to meet the total maximum daily load (TMDL) allowed for that area. More information about TMDLs can be found in the Policy Extension Program TMDL materials. Briefly, a TMDL is a determination of the maximum amount of a given pollutant that a water body can absorb and still meet water quality standards. Most TMDLs set in Florida are for nutrients.<\/p>\n

BMAP development varies between water bodies due to unique watershed characteristics and impairments. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), in conjunction with the water management districts, develops BMAPs that identify water quality improvement strategies for the watersheds of water bodies that do not meet established TMDLs.<\/p>\n

A list of BMAPs established within the state of Florida, and details associated with each BMAP, can be found here<\/a>.<\/div>\n

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The Basic Steps<\/h3>\n

The basic steps followed in the development of a BMAP in Florida includes:<\/p>\n

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  1. A water body is assigned one of five designated beneficial uses (i.e. potable water supply, etc.).<\/li>\n
  2. Water quality of the water body is compared to water quality standards for that designated use.<\/li>\n
  3. If the surface water does not meet water quality standards, it is declared \u201cimpaired.\u201d<\/li>\n
  4. A TMDL is established for each pollutant of concern for the impaired water body based on what the need would be for the water body to become unimpaired.<\/li>\n
  5. A set of strategies (BMAP) is then developed for the land area that is impacting the quality of the water body to ensure strategies are put in place to lower the impact of the land use on the water body that is in question.<\/li>\n
  6. Strategies and actions associated with the BMAP are implemented.<\/li>\n
  7. BMAP effectiveness is measured at the local level over time.<\/li>\n
  8. A formal evaluation is planned every 5 years and adjustments are made to the BMAP based on assessment results to enhance BMAP effectiveness.<\/li>\n
  9. Water quality continues to be monitored over time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n
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    “Florida\u2019s water policy must be flexible, comprehensive and long term.”<\/p>\n

    Adam Putnam, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture<\/small><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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    Strategies designated as part of a BMAP may include:<\/strong><\/p>\n