Notice of Development of Rulemaking

WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS
Southwest Florida Water Management District
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
40D-4.021: Definitions
40D-4.041: Permits Required
40D-4.051: Exemptions
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect of the proposed rule amendments is to clarify when an Environmental Resource Permit is required by removing the distinction between a “surface water management system” and a “new surface water management system”. The rulemaking will further clarify when an Environmental Resource Permit is required by simplifying the definition of “alteration” and by creating exemptions for the operation of systems constructed under an earlier exemption.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Environmental Resource Permitting exemptions.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 373.044, 373.113, 373.118, 373.149, 373.171, 373.414 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 373.403, 373.406, 373.413, 373,414(9), 373.416, 373.426, 373.427 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Carrie N. Felice, Staff Attorney, Office of General Counsel, 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899, (352)796-7211, extension 4651

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

40D-4.021 Definitions.

When used in this chapter and Chapters 40D-40 and 40D-400, F.A.C.:

(1) “Alteration” means any activity resulting in substantial expansion or change of a surface water management system that will increase or decrease the design discharge of the system, increase pollutant loading, change the point or points of discharge, or intrude into or otherwise adversely impact wetlands by rim ditching, draining, filling or excavation. Routine custodial maintenance and repairs shall not constitute alterations.

(2) through (3) No change.

(4) “Construction” means any on-site activity which will result in the creation of a new surface water management system, or the abandonment or alteration of an existing surface water management system, including the building, assembling, expansion or recontouring of the property; the erection of buildings or other structures, or any part thereof; or land clearing.

(5) through (10) No change.

(11) “New surface water management system” means any surface water management system which is not in existence on October 1, 1984, or not authorized to be constructed on October 1, 1984.

(12) through (22) renumbered (11) through (21) No change.

Specific Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.118, 373.149, 373.171 FS. Law Implemented 373.403, 373.413 FS. History–Readopted 10-5-74, Formerly 16J-4.02, Amended 10-1-84, 3-1-88, 9-11-88, 10-3-95, 7-23-96, 2-27-02, 9-26-02, 2-19-04, 2-6-07, 1-8-08,_________.

 

40D-4.041 Permits Required.

(1) Unless expressly exempt by law or District rule an Environmental Resource Permit shall be obtained from the District prior to:

(a) The construction and operation of any new surface water management system, or

(a)(b) The construction, operation, alteration, abandonment, or removal of any surface water management system.

(b)(c) The establishment of a mitigation bank.

(2) through (6) No change.

Specific Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.118, 373.149, 373.171 FS. Law Implemented 373.413, 373.416, 373.426, 373.427 FS. History– Readopted 10-5-74, Amended 12-31-74, 9-4-77, 6-7-78, Formerly 16J-4.04, 16J-4.10(1), (2), (4), Amended 10-1-84, 3-1-88, 10-3-95, 7-23-96, 10-16-96, 4-17-97, 10-11-01, 7-16-02, 9-26-02, 3-26-03, 1-8-08,_______.

 

40D-4.051 Exemptions.

The following activities are exempt from permitting under this chapter:

(1) The activities specified in Section 373.406, F.S.

(2) The operation and maintenance of a surface water management system which:

(a) Was constructed before October 1, 1984; or

(b) Was constructed or was being constructed on or before December 9, 1999 and was not required to obtain a District permit under exemptions existing at that time.

(2) through (14) renumbered (3) through (15) No change.

Specific Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.149, 373.171, 373.414(9) FS. Law Implemented 373.406, 373.413, 373.414(9) FS. History– Readopted 10-5-74, Formerly 16J-4.05, Amended 10-1-84, 10-1-86, 3-1-88, 1-24-90, 10-3-95, 4-18-01, 5-17-01, 4-9-02, 2-19-04, 6-30-05, 11-26- 07,________.