Rules.

(1) The department shall adopt rules to improve water quantity and water quality to administer this part, as applicable.

(2)(a) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the lead agency coordinating the reduction of agricultural nonpoint sources of pollution for the protection of Outstanding Florida Springs. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the department, pursuant to s. 403.067(7)(c)4., shall study new or revised agricultural best management practices for improving and protecting Outstanding Florida Springs and, if necessary, in cooperation with applicable local governments and stakeholders, initiate rulemaking to require the implementation of such practices within a reasonable period.

(b) The department, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences shall cooperate in conducting the necessary research and demonstration projects to develop improved or additional nutrient management tools, including the use of controlled release fertilizer that can be used by agricultural producers as part of an agricultural best management practices program. The development of such tools must reflect a balance between water quality improvement and agricultural productivity and, if applicable, must be incorporated into the revised agricultural best management practices adopted by rule by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.