FL H0421

Expands agricultural exemption under s. 373.406(2) to include activities that may impede or divert surface water flow or adversely impact wetlands, provided such alteration is consistent with normal and customary agricultural practices in the area.

Limits the agricultural exemption to lands classified as agricultural under s. 193.461 and activities requiring environmental resource permits; exemption does not apply to previously permitted activities and has retroactive application to July 1, 1984.

Grants exclusive authority to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to make binding determinations on whether activities qualify for agricultural exemptions, replacing the water management district's role and requiring memoranda of agreement between the department and each water management district.

Adds cultivating, fallowing, leveling, and implementation of best management practices or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service standards to the definition of "agricultural activities" in s. 403.927(4)(a).

Exempts converted agricultural lands from mitigation requirements in chapters 373 and 403 for adverse effects caused by agricultural activities that occurred within 4 years preceding the conversion to non-agricultural use.