Improvements on private agricultural lands.

(1) The Legislature encourages public-private partnerships to accomplish water storage, groundwater recharge, and water quality improvements on private agricultural lands. Priority consideration shall be given to public-private partnerships that:

(a) Store or treat water on private lands for purposes of enhancing hydrologic improvement, improving water quality, or assisting in water supply;

(b) Provide critical groundwater recharge; or

(c) Provide for changes in land use to activities that minimize nutrient loads and maximize water conservation.

(2)(a) When an agreement is entered into between the department, a water management district, or the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and a private landowner to establish a public-private partnership that may create or impact wetlands or other surface waters, a baseline condition determining the extent of wetlands and other surface waters on the property shall be established and documented in the agreement before improvements are constructed.

(b) When an agreement is entered into between the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and a private landowner to implement best management practices pursuant to s. 403.067(7)(c), a baseline condition determining the extent of wetlands and other surface water on the property may be established at the option and expense of the private landowner and documented in the agreement before improvements are constructed. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall submit the landowner’s proposed baseline condition documentation to the lead agency for review and approval, and the agency shall use its best efforts to complete the review within 45 days.

(3) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the department, and the water management districts shall provide a process for reviewing these requests in the timeframe specified. The determination of a baseline condition shall be conducted using the methods set forth in the rules adopted pursuant to s. 373.421. The baseline condition documented in an agreement shall be considered the extent of wetlands and other surface waters on the property for the purpose of regulation under this chapter for the duration of the agreement and after its expiration.