What to know Before the Next Hurricane Season

Marinas on leased state-owned land can be damaged or destroyed during hurricane season. As a sovereignty submerged lands leaseholder, you may be entitled to financial relief from lease fees if you are affected by a hurricane. When a hurricane makes landfall in Florida, the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection issues an Emergency Final Order for a specific time frame and area. This emergency order is to help Floridians recover from hurricane damage and provides relief from some regulatory requirements and allows for credits and waivers for certain fees.

 

If you have structures damaged by a hurricane and are within a sovereignty submerged lands lease boundary, you may be entitled to a credit on your annual fees. This credit is based on the percentage of loss of functionality of the total area under lease and only for the duration of the order. DEP recommends that you document hurricane damage with photographs and keep the documents in a safe location.

 

To receive a credit on your annual fees, submit your request in writing via mail or email to:

 

The type and amount of damage a hurricane causes to structures and activities in, on, or over wetlands and other surface waters will determine whether you need to contact DEP before performing repairs or restoration, and whether lease fees can be waived. To find the department district office nearest you, call 850.245-2555. Staff can assist you with a determination of work that can be done without notice to DEP, and work that requires a field authorization.