NOTICE OF INTENT TO GRANT A GROUND WATER QUALITY CRITERIA EXEMPTION

The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice of its intent to grant an exemption from the Class G-II ground water standard for sodium pursuant to Rule 62-520.500, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), as part of industrial wastewater Permit Number FLA016960 to the Progress Energy (PE), Inc., Crystal River Energy Complex (CREC), Citrus County, 15760 West Powerline Street, Crystal River, Florida. The exemption is for the permitted discharge of treated industrial wastewater to Class G-II ground water. The ground water quality criteria exemption is for a duration of five (5) years from the date the Department signs the Final Order granting the exemption. Future exemptions must be petitioned for by the applicant through the Siting Coordination Office as a petition for a Modification of Certification for the facility pursuant to the Power Plant Siting Act, Section 403.516(1)(c), F.S.

A person whose substantial interests are affected by the Department’s proposed exemption decision 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) in the: Office of General Counsel of the Department, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, within 21 days of publication of this notice. The petitioner must mail a copy of the petition to the applicant: Mr. Michael L. Shrader, Lead Environmental Specialist, Progress Energy Florida, Inc., Post Office Box 14042 MAC PEF 903, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5501 at the time of filing.

The failure of any person to file a petition within the appropriate time period shall constitute a waiver of that person’s right to request an administrative determination (hearing) under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S., or to intervene in this proceeding and participate as a party to it. Any subsequent intervention (in a proceeding initiated by another party) will only be at the discretion of the presiding officer upon the filing of a motion in compliance with Rule 28-106.205, F.A.C.

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

(a) The name, address, and telephone number of each petitioner; the name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s representative, if any; the Department case or identification number and the county in which the subject matter or activity is located;

(b) A statement of when and how each petitioner received notice of the Department action;

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

(e) A statement of facts that the petitioner contends warrants reversal or modification of the Department action;

(f) A concise statement of the ultimate facts alleged, as well as the Rules and statutes which entitle the petitioner to relief; and

(g) Demand for relief (sought by the petitioner, stating precisely the action that the petitioner wants the Department to take).

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 contain the same information as set forth above, as required by Rule 28-106.301, F.A.C.

Because the administrative hearing process is designed to formulate final agency action, the filing of a petition means that the Department final action may be different from the position taken by it in this notice. Persons whose substantial interests will be affected by any such final decision of the Department on the petition have the right to petition to become a party to the proceeding, in accordance with the requirements set forth above.

Mediation is not available for this proceeding.

The application is available for public inspection during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays at the: Department’s Tallahassee Office, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Room 232B, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, telephone Mr. David James, P.G. at (850)245-8648.