Published on: 12022682. The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) gives notice that it is initiating rulemaking to amend its rules consistent with Section 373.4131, Florida Statues (F.S.) Section 373.4131, F.S., became effective on July 1, 2012, and requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in coordination with the five water management districts (WMDs) to develop statewide environmental permitting (ERP) rules. These rules are to rely primarily upon existing rules of the DEP and WMDs, but may be revised as necessary to achieve a more consistent, effective, and streamlined approach in the state’s ERP program. To implement 373.4131(1), F.S., DEP has initiated rulemaking to revise Chapter 62-330, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)
As part of its rulemaking, DEP also intends to incorporate by reference documents to be known as an Applicant’s Handbook. Two volumes of the Applicant’s Handbook will apply in each WMD: (1) one volume that will include general and environmental procedures, and forms that will apply statewide; and (2) a second volume, specific to, and adopted by, the WMD that will set forth design and performance standards for stormwater quality and quantity, and include drainage basin designations and basin-specific rules within the WMD. DEP’s proposed rulemaking for Chapter 62-330 will include provisions currently addressed in the District’s Chapters 40B-1, F.A.C. This will necessitate amendments to District Chapter 40B-1, F.A.C. Therefore, the purpose of this rule development is to revise the District’s rules to be consistent with DEP’s adoption of statewide ERP rules in chapter 62-330, F.A.C.