District's Hurricane Emergency Orders Expire

The Executive Director issued a series of four emergency orders in response to the four hurricanes this season. The orders declare an emergency within the District and set forth modified permitting and compliance procedures for Chapters 40D-2, 40D-4, 40D-40 and 40D-400 FAC to facilitate and expedite hurricane recovery activities for those affected by the hurricanes. Those orders expire December 31, 2004.

Miscellaneous Rule Amendments

A number of rule amendments will become effective in late January 2005:

1. Changes to the District's Joint Application for Environmental Resource Permit/Authorization to Use State Owned Submerged Lands/Federal Dredge and Fill Permit, Form 547.27(8/03), regarding Information for General Environmental Resource Permits for Minor Surface Water Systems and incorporation of the revision date into Rule 40D-1.659, F.A.C.

2. Rule 40D-4.331 is amended to direct an Environmental Resource Permit applicant to use a new form TSV-009.02 to expedite the permitting process of certain out parcels. See 3. below.

3. A new form, General Environmental Resource Permit Application for Modification Related to Outparcel Construction Within Permitted Commercial Projects, Form No. TSV-009.02 is incorporated into 40D-1.659, F.A.C. to help streamline the permitting process for out parcels as set forth in 40D-4.331(2)(a), F.A.C.

4. A simple administrative procedure is established in 40D-2.341, and 40D-4.341 F.A.C. to allow District staff to cancel Water Use Permits and Environmental Resource Permits when the permits are no longer desired by the permittees.

5. The procedure in 40D-2.351, F.A.C. for requesting transfer of Water Use Permits is changed, including that the new owner or person obtaining legal control must request the transfer within 45 days of the transfer or the permit becomes null and void.

6. Rule 40D-3.038 is amended to require that water well contractors notify the District within 15 days of any change in the contractor's mailing address.

7. The District has changed the Environmental Resource Permitting Basis of Review Section 6.4.1 regarding retention/detention pond side slopes. The change describes the side slope ratios and acceptable public safety protection around retention and detention areas.

8. Rule 40D-4.351, F.A.C. is amended to provide for an expedited process for the review of Statement of Completion and certified As-Built construction drawing submittals.

9. A general Environmental Resource Permit is created within Rule 40D-40.301, F.A.C. to authorize the construction, operation and maintenance of the surface water management systems serving certain minor residential subdivisions.

Southern Water Use Caution Area

The most current version of the draft rules for the Southern Water Use Caution Area can be accessed at www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/waterman/swuca/SWUCA.htm