Agency Partnership Updates, Sep 1, 2017

Okeechobee SWCD participates with partnering agency to administer best management cost share funds and Farm Bill Programs.

Board of County Commissioners

BOCC-OSWCD FY 19 Grant Agreement
Award: $43,000
Agreement Period: October 1, 2018- September 30, 2019
Purpose: Allow for administrative support to the OSWCD Board of Supervisors to carry
out agriculture and natural resources conservation in Okeechobee County.

United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service

Contribution Agreement # CD 68-4209-15-164
Award: $15,000
Agreement Period: October 1, 2016- September 30, 2017
Purpose: Allow for administrative and technical support to the 2014 Farm Bill programs.
Okeechobee Service Center Deadlines: Continuous program sign up.
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Batching Period Deadline FY 18: October, 2017
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Batching Period Deadline FY 17: Passed

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Office of Agricultural Water Policy

Contract # 23994
Contract Amount: $6,000,000
Contract Period: 11/04/2016-06/30/2019
Purpose: The FDACS is authorized by statute to develop and adopt agricultural Best
Management Practices (BMPs), and to assist agricultural producers with BMP
implementation see sections 373.4595, 403.067, 570, and 582 F.S. Pursuant to Chapter
582, F.S. the Okeechobee SWCD has the authority to enter into agreements to furnish
financial or other aid agency, government or any owner or occupier of lands, to carry
out conservation, development, and utilization of soil and water resources in
accordance with state law.

Contract # 24311
Contract Original Amount: $339,000
Contract Period: 07/01/2017-06/30/2020
Purpose: Pursuant to the Florida Watershed Restoration Act (FWRA), paragraph
403.067(7)(c) and section 570.085 F.S., the FDACS Office of OAWP, is authorized to
develop and adopt agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs), and to assist
agricultural producers with BMP implementation. Further, the Northern Everglades and
Estuaries Protection Plan (NEEPP) charges the FDACS with assisting agricultural
producers within the watershed with the implementation of BMPs, including cost-share
assistance. Okeechobee SWCD shall hire conservation technicians to assist in
enrollments.

Contract # 25021 Contract Amount: $2,909,045.00

Website Accessibility Policy

Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District is fully committed to providing accessible facilities, elements and channels of communication to all members of the public. As part of this commitment, Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District has a policy of providing an accessible website compatible with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and commercial screen reading software. All features of the website are coded to allow individuals with vision and other impairments to understand and use the website to the same degree as someone without disabilities. We welcome feedback and can often resolve issues in a timely manner if they arise.

If you need any special assistance or accommodations:

Call us at (863)763.3619, ext. 3

Ongoing Compliance Information

Compliance Officer

Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District has designated a compliance officer for website disability-related accommodations. The compliance officer has received training in website accessibility and updates the site in accordance with those best practices. Contact our accessibility officer to report an issue.

Compliance Procedures and Reports

In addition to testing with users with a wide range of disabilities and coding our website to WCAG standards, Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District regularly scans its website to ensure ongoing compliance, and makes timely changes to any inaccessible changes, if any are found.

Linked Documents and Third Parties

Please note that this site may link out to third-party websites, such as state or federal agencies, that do not have accessible content. This site may also include documents provided by third parties included in our agenda packets, for example. While we cannot control the accessibility of content provided by third parties, we are happy to assist any member of the public with reading and accessing content on our site.

See an opportunity for us to improve? Please contact our accessibility officer or call us at (863)763.3619, ext. 3.

Report a Website Accessibility Issue

We are committed to your ability to access all content, and we will respond to all requests as soon as possible.