State 404 Program Rule Adoption Hearing

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) has proposed to amend Chapter 62-330, F.A.C., Environmental Resource Permitting. These amendments streamline and clarify language for regulated entities that would require a State 404 Program Permit after assumption of the State 404 Program. Amendments include incorporating updated version of water management district handbooks, revising incorporated forms to include a State 404 Program Permit section, incorporating a new form, and clarifying that applicants may waive Environmental Resource Permit timelines so that Agency actions can be issued concurrently. Amendments to Applicant's Handbook Volume I include updating form titles, clarifying the process for the landward delineation of wetlands, adding unincorporated appendices for use when delineating the landward extent of wetlands, and providing for the use of state or local authorizations for construction activities in right of ways as evidence of real property interest. In addition to the three previously held webinar hearings (held April 2, 6, and 10, 2020), to allow maximum public participation, the Department is holding two additional public hearings via telephone on April 24 at 9:00 a.m. and April 27 at 9:00 a.m. and extending the time to submit written comments on the proposed rules until midnight on April 30, 2020. Parties may attend the hearings by telephone by calling: 1-888-585-9008, and entering conference room number 427-093-427. Parties who wish to submit pertinent evidence or materials prior to or following the hearings shall submit them, no later than midnight, April 30, 2020, by email to Heather.Mason@FloridaDEP.gov; during the conference call by speaking; or by mail to DEP, attn: Heather Mason, 2600 Blair Stone Rd, Mail Station 2500, Tallahassee, FL 32399. A copy of the agenda for this hearing may be obtained by contacting: Heather Mason, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Mail Station 2500, Florida 32399, (850)245-8480, Heather.Mason@FloridaDEP.gov; or online at: https://floridadep.gov/water/water/content/water-resource-management-ru….