NOTICE OF INTENT TO GRANT EXEMPTION

The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice that it intends to grant an exemption request for the City of Port Richey Water Treatment Plant. The exemption is under Rule 62-560.520, F.A.C., so that the secondary maximum contaminant level for total dissolved solids of 500 mg/L will not have to be met in the water served to its customers for a period not to exceed 36 months. An alternative level of 1200 mg/L for TDS will be required during those months.

A person whose substantial interests are affected by the Department’s action may petition for an administrative proceeding (hearing) under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes. The petition must contain the information set forth below and must be filed (received by the clerk) within 30 days of this notice in: Office of General Counsel of the Department, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000.

Mediation is not available.

If a timely and sufficient petition for an administrative hearing is filed, other persons whose substantial interests will be affected by the outcome of the administrative process have the right to petition to intervene in the proceeding. Intervention will be permitted only at the discretion of the presiding officer upon the filing of a motion in compliance with Rule 28-106.205, Florida Administrative Code.

In accordance with subsections 28-106.111(2) and 62-110.106(3)(a), (4), F.A.C., petitions for an administrative hearing must be filed within 30 days of publication of the notice or receipt of written notice, whichever occurs first. Under subsection 62-110.106(4), Florida Administrative Code, a person whose substantial interests are affected by the Department’s action may also request an extension of time to file a petition for an administrative hearing. The Department may, for good cause shown, grant the request for an extension of time. Requests for extension of time must be filed with the Office of General Counsel of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, before the applicable deadline. A timely request for extension of time will toll the running of the time period for filing a petition until the request is acted upon. Upon motion by the requesting party showing that the failure to file a request for an extension of time before the deadline was the result of excusable neglect, the Department may also grant the requested extension of time.

The petitioner shall mail a copy of the petition to the applicant at the address indicated above at the time of filing.

The failure of any person to file a petition for an administrative hearing within the appropriate time period shall constitute a waiver of that right.

A petition that disputes the material facts on which the Department’s action is based must contain the following information:

(a) The name and address of each agency affected and each agency’s file or identification number, if known;

(b) The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner; the name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s representative, if any, which shall be the address for service purposes during the course of the proceeding; and an explanation of how the petitioner’s substantial interests are or will be affected by the agency determination;

(d) A statement of all disputed issues of material fact. If there are none, the petition must so indicate;

(e) A concise statement of the ultimate facts alleged, including the specific facts the petitioner contends warrant reversal or modification of the agency’s proposed action;

(f) A statement of the specific rules or statutes that the petitioner contends require reversal or modification of the agency’s proposed action; and

(g) A statement of the relief sought by the petitioner, stating precisely the action that the petitioner wishes the agency to take with respect to the agency’s proposed action.

A petition that does not dispute the material facts on which the Department’s action is based shall state that no such facts are in dispute and otherwise shall contain the same information as set forth above, as required by Rule 28-106.301, F.A.C.

Under Sections 120.569(2)(c) and (d), Florida Statutes, a petition for administrative hearing shall be dismissed by the agency if the petition does not substantially comply with the above requirements or is untimely filed. Complete copies of all documents relating to this determination are available for public inspection during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest District, 13051 North Telecom Parkway, Temple Terrace, Florida 33637. Please contact: Gwen Shofner, Manager Potable Water Program at (813)632-7600, ext. 306.