94-000718RP
Northern Palm Beach County Water Control District vs.
Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District
Status: Closed
DOAH Final Order on Wednesday, August 31, 1994.
DOAH Final Order on Wednesday, August 31, 1994.
1STATE OF FLORIDA
4DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
8NORTHERN PALM BEACH COUNTY WATER )
14CONTROL DISTRICT, SOUTH INDIAN )
19RIVER WATER CONTROL DISTRICT, and )
25PALM BEACH COUNTY, )
29)
30Petitioners, )
32and )
34)
35HOBE-ST. LUCIE CONSERVANCY ) CASE NOS. 94-0718RP
42DISTRICT, ) 94-0765RP
45) 94-0766RP
47Intervenor, )
49)
50vs. )
52)
53LOXAHATCHEE RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL )
57CONTROL DISTRICT, )
60)
61Respondent. )
63___________________________________)
64FINAL ORDER
66Pursuant to notice, a formal hearing was conducted in this case at West
79Palm Beach, Florida, on June 29, 1994, before Michael M. Parrish, a duly
92designated Hearing Officer of the Division of Administrative Hearings.
101Appearances for the parties at the formal hearing were as follows:
112APPEARANCES
113For Petitioner Betsy S. Burden, Esquire
119Northern Palm Beach CALDWELL & PACETTI
125County Water 324 Royal Palm Way
131Control District Palm Beach, Florida 33480
137For Petitioner South Charles Chillingworth, Esquire
143Indian River Water KENNEDY & CHILLINGWORTH, P.A.
150Control District 2090 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
157Suite 800
159West Palm Beach, Florida 33409
164For Petitioner Palm Heidi Juhl, Esquire
170Beach County Assistant County Attorney
175Palm Beach County
178Post Office Box 1989
182West Palm Beach, Florida 33402-1989
187For Intervenor Hobe- Betsy S. Burden, Esquire
194St. Lucie Conservancy CALDWELL & PACETTI
200District 324 Royal Palm Way
205Palm Beach, Florida 33480
209For Respondent W. Jay Hunston, Jr., Esquire
216Loxahatchee River DeSANTIS, GASKILL & HUNSTON
222Environmental 11891 U.S. Highway One
227Control District North Palm Beach, Florida 33408
234STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES
238This is a rule challenge proceeding initiated pursuant to Section
248120.54(4), Florida Statutes, as construed by the court in Dept. of Health and
261Rehabilitative Services v. Florida Medical Center, 578 So.2d 351 (Fla. 1st DCA
2731991), in which the Petitioners and the Intervenor challenge the validity of
285portions of the Respondent's proposed rule 31-16 on the grounds that certain
297changes to the proposed rule were beyond the scope of the changes authorized by
311Section 120.54(13)(b), Florida Statutes.
315PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
317This proceeding was heard on issues raised in Amended Petitions 1/ filed
329by Northern Palm Beach County Water Control District ("Northern District"),
341South Indian River Water Control District ("South District"), and Palm Beach
354County ("County"), all of which seek a determination of the invalidity of
368certain changes made by the Respondent, Loxahatchee River Environmental Control
378District ("Loxahatchee"), to its proposed rule 31-16. The three cases were
391consolidated for hearing. Shortly before the formal hearing, the Hobe-St. Lucie
402Conservancy District ("Hobe-St. Lucie") filed a petition seeking to intervene in
415the consolidated proceeding. Leave to intervene was granted at the beginning of
427the formal hearing on June 29, 1994.
434During the course of the formal hearing on June 29, 1994, all parties
447presented testimony and offered exhibits. The Petitioners had nine exhibits
457marked for identification of which eight were offered in evidence and seven were
470received in evidence. 2/ The Respondent offered four exhibits, all of which
482were received in evidence. The Petitioners presented the testimony of five
493witnesses, one of which was recalled as a witness by the Respondent. At the
507conclusion of the formal hearing the parties decided not to order a transcript
520of the hearing. The parties requested, and were granted, twenty days from the
533date of the formal hearing within which to file their proposed final orders.
546Petitioner Northern District and Intervenor Hobe-St. Lucie filed a joint
556proposal containing proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
566Petitioner County filed a proposal that incorporated the proposal filed by
577Northern District and also included supplemental proposed findings of fact and
588conclusions of law. Petitioner South District filed a document in which it
600stated that it had no objection to the proposals submitted by the other
613Petitioners, but offered no proposed findings of fact or conclusions of law of
626its own. The Respondent filed a proposed final order containing proposed
637findings of fact and conclusions of law. The parties' post-hearing proposals
648have all been carefully considered during the preparation of this Final Order.
660All proposed findings of fact submitted by all parties are specifically
671addressed in the appendix hereto.
676FINDINGS OF FACT
6791. The Respondent, Loxahatchee, is a local unit of government created by
691Chapter 71-822, Special Acts of Florida, as amended, which provides Loxahatchee
702with powers and duties with respect to sewage disposal, solid waste management,
714discharge of storm drainage, water supply drainage, and water supply within
725geographical boundaries set forth in the Act. The geographical boundaries of
736Loxahatchee are described in the title of the Act as being "generally defined as
750the Loxahatchee River basin." Loxahatchee's administrative offices are located
759in the Town of Jupiter, Palm Beach County, Florida.
7682. Petitioner Northern District is an independent Special District whose
778administrative offices are located in the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach
791County, Florida.
7933. Petitioner South District is a water control district organized and
804existing under Chapter 298, Florida Statutes, with administrative offices
813located in Palm Beach County, Florida.
8194. Petitioner County is a political subdivision of the State of Florida
831with administrative offices in the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County,
844Florida.
8455. Intervenor Hobe-St. Lucie is an independent Special District which
855maintains its administrative offices in the City of Hobe Sound, Martin County,
867Florida.
8686. Briefly summarized, the subject proposed rule provides for a stormwater
879management, or river enhancement, program by which Loxahatchee would take a
890three-tiered approach to managing stormwater discharges, beginning with
898planning, monitoring, inspection, mapping, information gathering, and public
906education, followed by operation and maintenance activities, and then by retro-
917fitting or construction of capital improvements. Inasmuch as stormwater is a
928threat to the quality of the Loxahatchee River, the purpose of the subject
941proposed rule is the prevention of pollution of the river by stormwater
953discharges and the enhancement of the river.
9607. On December 3, 1993, Loxahatchee's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with
971respect to Rule 31-16 was published in the Florida Administrative Weekly, Volume
98319, No. 48.
9868. Loxahatchee revised Rule 31-16 on January 3, 1994, and distributed
997approximately eighty copies of the rule as revised to neighboring governmental
1008entities (including the Petitioners), the Joint Administrative Procedures
1016Committee, and other interested parties on or about January 5, 1994.
10279. In a letter dated January 7, 1994, addressed to Loxahatchee's legal
1039counsel, a staff attorney with the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee
1049commented on Rule 31-16 as revised on January 3, 1994, and itemized several
1062potential objections to specific provisions of the rule. With regard to Section
107431-16.002(6), the Committee staff attorney wrote:
1080The rule provides in part that the district
"1088may" cooperatively assist with the operation
1094and maintenance of systems. However, no
1100criteria are described to apprise the reader
1107of the factors governing the district's
1113decision of whether or not to render
1120assistance. Thus, the district may or may
1127not assist based upon the whim or caprice
1135of the decision-maker. The use of the word
"1143may" in this manner renders the rule vague
1151and accords the district unbridled discretion
1157in the matter. See, section 120.52(8)(d),
1163F.S., and Barrow v. Holland, 125 So.2d 749
1171(Fla. 1960).
1173The rule also provides that an owner may
1181voluntarily give a system to the district
"1188provided the District accepts said system."
1194This language is potentially objectionable
1199for the reasons described above. Therefore,
1205the rule should be amended to describe
1212standards and criteria governing the
1217district's decision of whether or not to
1224accept a system.
122710. With regard to Section 31-16.002(7) of the rule, the Committee staff
1239attorney wrote:
1241The use of the word "may" in the last sentence
1251is potentially objectionable for the reasons
1257described above.
1259The term "and/or" is vague. Compare, Health
1266Clubs, Inc. v. State, 338 So.2d 1324 (Fla.
12744th DCA 1976).
1277The phrase "where needed and not otherwise
1284provided for" is vague and should be
1291explained.
129211. With regard Section 31-16.002(8) of the rule, the Committee staff
1303attorney wrote that "[t]he term 'proper regulatory authorities' should be
1313defined," and with regard to Section 31- 16.003(1)(f) of the rule, he wrote that
"1327[t]he term 'and/or' is vague."
133212. With regard to Section 31-16.003(7) of the rule, the Committee staff
1344attorney wrote:
1346Please describe the statutory authority
1351supporting this section.
1354Assuming statutory authority exists, the
1359following comments apply: The term "and/or"
1365is vague. In addition, the use of the term
"1374may" renders the rule vague and accords the
1382district unbridled discretion in deciding
1387whether or not to enter into an interlocal
1395agreement. The rule should be amended to
1402describe the circumstances governing when the
1408district will enter into such an agreement.
141513. Finally, with regard Section 31-16.003(9) of the rule, the Committee
1426staff attorney wrote:
1429Please describe the statutory authority
1434supporting the assertion that the fees may
1441be collected by entities other than the
1448district.
1449The statement "or by such other methods
1456that the Governing Board determines are
1462fair and reasonable" is vague and accords
1469the board unbridled discretion in deciding
1475the matter.
147714. At its regular meeting immediately following the public hearing held
1488on January 20, 1994, Loxahatchee approved and adopted revisions to its proposed
1500Rule 31-16 which included the changes which are the subject of the challenges in
1514this proceeding.
151615. A "red-lined" version of Rule 31-16, in which deletions from the rule
1529made between January 3 and January 20, 1994, appear as struck-through text
1541surrounded by brackets and additions to the rule made between January 3 and
1554January 20, 1994, appear as bold and underlined text, was prepared by
1566Loxahatchee's staff. This red lined version was distributed to the Board
1577members at Loxahatchee's regular board meeting held on January 20, 1994. The
1589revised version of Rule 31-16 (Respondent's Exhibit 3) was adopted by
1600Loxahatchee at its Board meeting on January 20, 1994.
160916. The rule challenge petitions in these consolidated cases were filed on
1621the following dates: Northern District filed its petition on February 9, 1994;
1633South District and County filed their petitions on February 10, 1994.
164417. The first change to the subject rule which is being challenged in this
1658proceeding is the change in Rule 31-16.001, Paragraphs 4 and 5, and in Rule 31-
167316.002(2)(e), from the term "watershed" to the term "basin." During the process
1685leading up to the drafting of the subject rules, the citizen advisory group
1698liked the term "watershed" and that term found its way into early drafts of the
1713rule. The use of the term "watershed" was intended to refer to the geographic
1727area over which Loxahatchee has jurisdiction. 3/ The change to the term
"1739basin" was made to clarify that intent, because the title to the Act creating
1753Loxahatchee describes its boundaries as "generally defined as the Loxahatchee
1763River basin."
176518. The second change to the subject rule which is being challenged in
1778this proceeding is the addition of the words "the ground and surface water" in
1792Rule 31-16.002(2)(e). The reason for this change in the rule was to make a more
1807specific statement of what Loxahatchee intended to monitor. Although the staff
1818of the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee had not specifically addressed
1828this portion of the rule, the Committee staff had suggested that other
1840provisions of the rule be made more specific. 19. The third change to the
1854subject rule which is being challenged in this proceeding is the addition of the
1868following underscored language in Rule 31-16.002(3)(a):
1874Where operation and maintenance are not being
1881performed in accordance with the Regulatory
1887Authority standards, education and assistance
1892will be made available to the owner and
1900operator in order for there to be better
1908operation and maintenance.
1911The change represented by the underscored language was made in response to a
1924proposed objection by the legal staff of the Joint Administrative Procedures
1935Committee. The objection was to the effect that the original language of the
1948rule paragraph in which the change was made failed to contain "factors governing
1961the district's decision of whether or not to render assistance," which failure,
1973in the opinion of the Committee legal staff, "renders the rule vague and accords
1987the district unbridled discretion in the matter."
199420. The fourth change to the subject rule which is being challenged in
2007this proceeding are the following changes in Rule 31- 16.003(5): 4/
2018* Where the District [[can assist]] assists with
2026the funding for operation and maintenance,
2032or where the District assumes the operation
2039and maintenance of a private system, the
2046District [[may[[
2053Maintenance Fee, in an amount to be mutually 2061agreed to by Interlocal [[Agreement/Contract]] 2066Contract with a private entity>>, or to be 2074established by subsequent amendment of 2079this Rule. 2081* Note: In the above quotation, language added to the proposed 2092rule text is within the <>2097>; deleted language is 2101within the [[]]. 2104The changes in the rule language quoted immediately above were made in response 2117to proposed objections by the legal staff of the Joint Administrative Procedures 2129Committee. 213021. The fifth change to the subject rule which is being challenged in this 2144proceeding is the change in the definition of "Exempt Property" contained in 2156Rule 31-16.003(1)(c). A portion of the definition was changed from "that 2167property which is determined by the Governing Board to be exempt from the 2180payment," to "that property not subject to the payment." Although the legal 2192staff of the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee did not comment on this 2204specific portion of the rule, the change in the language of Rule 31-16.003(1)(c) 2217was in response to proposed objections to other portions of the rule in which 2231the Committee legal staff had criticized language authorizing the Governing 2241Board or the District to take action without establishing criteria for the 2253authorized action. 225522. The sixth change to the subject rule which is being challenged in this 2269proceeding is the addition of a definition of the term "Regulatory Authority" at 2282Rule 16-31.003(1)(f). This change to the rule was made in response to a 2295proposed objection by the legal staff of the Joint Administrative Procedures 2306Committee. 2307CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 231023. The Division of Administrative Hearings has jurisdiction over the 2320subject matter of and the parties to this proceeding. See Sections 120.54 and 2333120.57(1), Florida Statutes, and Dept. of Health and Rehabilitative Services v. 2344Florida Medical Center, 578 So.2d 351 (Fla. 1st DCA 1991). 235424. To facilitate an understanding of the conclusions which follow, it 2365must be kept in mind that this is not an ordinary statutory rule challenge 2379proceeding under Section 120.54(4), Florida Statutes. Rather, this is an 2389extraordinary rule challenge proceeding based on a court-created narrow 2398opportunity to challenge changes to a proposed rule after the expiration of the 241121-day period during which challenges to proposed rules are permitted under the 2423language of Section 120.54. This narrow opportunity was first described in 2434Dept. of Health and Rehabilitative Services v. Florida Medical Center, 578 So.2d 2446351 (Fla. 1st DCA 1991). 5/ In the Florida Medical Center case ("F.M.C. case") 2462two rule challenge petitioners filed timely challenges to the proposed rules at 2474issue there. Following negotiations with those two petitioners, the agency 2484agreed to make substantive changes to the proposed rules and "[u]pon the changes 2497being made, the petitioners voluntarily dismissed their petitions." (F.M.C. at 2507353) Thereafter, more than 90 days after the original notice of intent to adopt 2521rules, the agency published notice of the changes in the Florida Administrative 2533Weekly. What happened next is described as follows at page 353 of F.M.C.: 2546Within 21 days following the notice of the 2554change in the proposed rule, the appellees 2561. . . petitioned, pursuant to Section 2568120.54(4), for an administrative 2572determination of invalidity of the proposed 2578rule as changed. Appellees contended that 2584the changes were an invalid exercise of 2591delegated legislative authority, because 2595they were in excess of the authority given 2603to agencies by Section 120.54(13)(b), Florida 2609Statutes, to change proposed rules. That 2615subsection authorizes agencies to make 2620changes during the course of the rulemaking 2627process without the necessity of beginning 2633the process anew, so long as the changes (1) 2642are supported by the record of public 2649hearings held on the rule, (2) are merely 2657technical and do not affect the substance of 2665the rule, (3) are in response to written 2673material contained in the record and 2679submitted to the agency within 21 days 2686following the first publication of notice of 2693the proposed rule, or (4) are in response to 2702a proposed objection by the Administrative 2708Procedures Committee. It was the appellees' 2714contention that none of the statutorily 2720enumerated bases for change had been present 2727when appellant decided to change the proposed 2734rule, and that, in order to lawfully adopt 2742the proposed rule as changed, the appellant 2749was obligated to begin a new rulemaking 2756process. Relying upon Section 120.54(4)(b), 2761Florida Statutes, appellant contended that 2766the appellees' petitions were untimely, 2771because they had not been filed within 21 2779days following the first notice of proposed 2786rulemaking. The Hearing Officer found, 2791however, that the appellant's changes to the 2798proposed rule had exceeded the authority 2804given by Section 120.54(13)(b), and thus 2810could not be made unless substantially 2816affected persons were given a point of entry 2824to challenge the proposed rule as changed. 2831Since the appellees had been deprived of a 2839point of entry, but had filed their petitions 2847within 21 days following their first notice 2854of the improper changes, the hearing officer 2861found their petitions to be timely under 2868Section 120.54(4). He therefore determined 2873that the rule, which had been filed by the 2882appellant on July 18, 1988, and which had 2890purportedly become effective on August 7, 28961988, was an invalid exercise of delegated 2903legislative authority. (Emphasis added) 290725. The F.M.C. court ultimately agreed with the hearing officer and 2918explained its holding as follows, at page 355: 2926Accordingly, we hold that a substantially 2932affected person is entitled to initiate a 2939Section 120.54(4) validity challenge within 294421 days following notice of a change in a 2953proposed rule. Such challenge must be 2959limited to an assertion that the agency has 2967acted in excess of its delegated legislative 2974authority to change a proposed rule. If the 2982petitioner prevails in his challenge, the 2988agency must either withdraw the change or 2995reinitiate the rulemaking process. Because 3000the appellees were substantially affected 3005persons who filed their Section 120.54(4) 3011petitions within 21 days following notice 3017of the changes, and because the basis for 3025their challenge was alleged noncompliance 3030by the appellant with Section 120.54(13)(b), 3036we hold that the appellees' petitions were 3043timely. (Emphasis added) 304626. All three of the rule challenge petitions in this proceeding were 3058filed beyond the 21-day period described in Section 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, 3069but all three appear to have been filed within the court-created 21-day period 3082described in the F.M.C. case. Such being the case, all three petitions appear to 3096be timely challenges of the type described in the F.M.C. case. At this point it 3111is important to reiterate, in the words of the F.M.C. court: "Such challenge 3124must be limited to an assertion that the agency has acted in excess of its 3139delegated legislative authority to change a proposed rule." (Emphasis added) 314927. Legislative authority for agencies to change proposed rules is found 3160at Section 120.54(13)(b), Florida Statutes, which authorizes changes to be made 3171for any of the following four reasons: 7/ 3179(1) "[Such changes in the rule as are 3187supported by the record of public hearings 3194held on the rule. . . ." 3201(2) "[T]echnical changes which do not 3207affect the substance of the rule. . . ." 3216(3) "[C]hanges in response to written 3222material relating to the rule received by 3229the agency within 21 days after the notice 3237and made a part of the record of the 3246proceeding. . . ." 3250(4) "[C]hanges in response to a proposed 3257objection by the committee." 326128. The evidence in this case is insufficient to establish that any of the 3275challenged changes to the proposed rule "are supported by the record of public 3288hearings held on the rule." The exhibits received in evidence are insufficient 3300to show that any specific change resulted from the proceedings at any public 3313hearing on the rule. 331729. Similarly, the evidence in this case is insufficient to establish that 3329any of the challenged changes to the proposed rule were "in response to written 3343material relating to the rule received by the agency within 21 days after the 3357notice and made a part of the record of the proceeding." The exhibits received 3371in evidence are insufficient to show that any specific change resulted from any 3384such written material. 338730. However, some of the challenged changes to the proposed rule are "3399technical changes which do not affect the substance of the rule." In this 3412category are the changes in Rule 31-16.001, Paragraphs 4 and 5, and in Rule 31- 342716.002(2)(e) described in Paragraph 17, above, regarding the change from "3437watershed" to "basin." The intent of both terms was to refer to the 3450geographical jurisdiction of Loxahatchee and the change makes that intent more 3461clear. Also in this category is the change in Rule 31-16.002(2)(e) described in 3474Paragraph 18, above, regarding the addition of the words "the ground and surface 3487water." The purpose and effect of this change was to clarify, rather than to 3501change, what Loxahatchee intended to do. 350731. As discussed in the foregoing Findings of Fact, all of the other four 3521challenged changes to the rule (the changes described in Paragraphs 19 through 353322, above) are "changes in response to a proposed objection by the committee." 354632. Inasmuch as all of the challenged changes to the subject rule come 3559within the scope of one of the four reasons for change authorized by Section 3573120.54(13)(b), Florida Statutes, the Petitioners have failed to demonstrate the 3583invalidity of any of the challenged changes. Accordingly, it is ORDERED: 3594That all of the petitions in these three consolidated cases are hereby 3606dismissed and all relief requested in those petitions is hereby denied. 3617DONE AND ORDERED this 31st day of August, 1994, at Tallahassee, Leon 3629County, Florida. 3631___________________________________ 3632MICHAEL M. PARRISH, Hearing Officer 3637Division of Administrative Hearings 3641The DeSoto Building 36441230 Apalachee Parkway 3647Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 3650904/488-9675 3651Filed with the Clerk of the 3657Division of Administrative Hearings 3661this 31st day of August, 1994. 3667ENDNOTES 36681/ By order dated March 16, 1994, the original petitions in all three of these 3683consolidated cases were dismissed with leave to amend. The original petitions 3694were dismissed because they attempted to raise issues beyond those permitted in 3706this type of unique proceeding and because they failed to comply with the "3719particularity" and the "sufficiency" requirements of Section 120.54(4)(b), 3727Florida Statutes. 37292/ The following exhibits offered by the Petitioners were received in evidence: 37411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9. An objection to Petitioners' Exhibit 6 was sustained. 3757Petitioners' Exhibit 8 was marked for identification, but was not offered. 37683/ As shown at the hearing, the term "watershed" can have other technical 3781meanings. Nevertheless, in its more general sense, the term "watershed" may 3792also be interpreted in the manner in which the citizen advisory group intended. 38054/ Struck-through text indicates deletions from original proposed rule text. 3815Underscored text indicates additions to original proposed rule text. * 3825* Note: In the ACCESS Document, language added to the text 3836is within the <>3839>; deleted language is within the [[]]. 38465/ The nature and effect of the Florida Medical Center case was discussed in 3860the recent Final Order in Northern Palm Beach County Water Control District v. 3873Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District, DOAH Case No. 94-0301RP (Final 3883Order issued February 2, 1994). Some of that discussion has been incorporated 3895into this order. The Final Order in Case No. 94-0301RP is presently pending 3908appellate review. 39106/ Section 120.54(13)(b), Florida Statutes, reads as follows, in pertinent 3920part: 3921(b) After the notice required in subsection 3928(1) and prior to adoption, the agency may 3936withdraw the rule in whole or in part or may 3946make such changes in the rule as are 3954supported by the record of public hearings 3961held on the rule, technical changes which 3968do not affect the substance of the rule, 3976changes in response to written material 3982relating to the rule received by the agency 3990within 21 days after the notice and made a 3999part of the record of the proceeding, or 4007changes in response to a proposed objection 4014by the committee. 4017APPENDIX 4018The following are the specific rulings on all proposed findings of fact 4030submitted by all parties. 4034Findings submitted by Northern District and Hobe-St. Lucie: 4042Paragraph 1: Accepted in substance. 4047Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4: Rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details 4058about matters that are not at issue here. 4066Paragraph 5: Accepted in substance. 4071Paragraph 6: Rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details about matters 4081that are not at issue here. 4087Paragraphs 7, 8, 9, and 10: Accepted in substance. 4096Findings submitted by South District: 4101(None submitted.) 4103Supplemental findings submitted by County: 4108Paragraph 1: Rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details about matters 4118that are not at issue here. 4124Paragraph 2: Accepted. 4127Paragraphs 3, 4, and 5: Rejected as summaries of testimony, rather than 4139proposed findings of fact based on evidence in the record. Further, Paragraph 3 4152is rejected as incorrect (because Petitioner's Exhibit 7 is a resume) and as 4165being too vague to serve any useful purpose. 4173Paragraph 6: Accepted. 4176Findings submitted by Loxahatchee: 4180Paragraph 1: First two sentences accepted. The remainder of this 4190paragraph is rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details. 4198Paragraph 2: First sentence accepted in substance. The remainder of this 4209paragraph is rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details. 4217Paragraphs 3, 4, and 5: Accepted in substance. 4225Paragraphs 6, 7, 8, and 9: Rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details 4237about matters that are not at issue here. 4245Paragraph 10: Accepted. 4248Paragraphs 11, 12, and 13: Rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details 4259about matters that are not at issue here. 4267Paragraph 14: Accepted. 4270Paragraph 15: Rejected as not supported by competent substantial evidence 4280and as contrary to the greater weight of the evidence. (Loxahatchee did not 4293continue to consider and discuss the proposed rule "over the next few months" 4306following December 3, 1993, because it revised the rule on January 3, 1994, and 4320adopted the rule on January 20, 1994.) 4327Paragraphs 16 and 17: Accepted in substance. 4334Paragraphs 18, 19, and 20: Rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details 4345and as irrelevant because the comment, input, discussion, and concerns mentioned 4356in these paragraphs are not "supported by the record of public hearings held on 4370the rule" and are not "written material . . . made a part of the record of the 4388[rulemaking] proceeding." 4390Paragraph 21: Accepted in substance with a number of subordinate and 4401unnecessary details omitted for the reasons discussed in the immediately 4411preceding paragraph of this appendix. 4416Paragraphs 22 and 23: Accepted. 4421Paragraph 24: Rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details. 4429Paragraph 25: Accepted. 4432COPIES FURNISHED: 4434Richard C. Dent, Executive Director 4439Loxahatchee River Environmental 4442Control District 44442500 Jupiter Park Drive 4448Jupiter, Florida 33458 4451Curtis L. Shenkman, Esquire 4455W. Jay Hunston, Esquire 4459DeSANTIS, GASKILL & HUNSTON, P.A. 446411891 US Highway One 4468North Palm Beach, FL 33408 4473Betsy S. Burden, Esquire 4477CALDWELL & PACETTI 4480324 Royal Palm Way 4484Palm Beach, Florida 33480 4488Heidi Juhl, Esquire 4491Assistant County Attorney 4494Palm Beach County 4497P. O. Box 1989 4501West Palm Beach, Florida 33402-1989 4506Jeanne O. Conway, Esquire 4510Charles Chillingworth, Esquire 4513KENNEDY & CHILLINGWORTH 45162090 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard 4521Suite 800 4523West Palm Beach, Florida 33409 4528Liz Cloud, Chief 4531Bureau of Administrative Code 4535Department of State 4538The Eliott Building 4541Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250 4544Carroll Webb, Executive Director 4548Administrative Procedures Committee 4551Holland Building, Room 120 4555Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300 4558NOTICE OF RIGHT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW 4564A party who is adversely affected by this Final Order is entitled to judicial 4578review pursuant to Section 120.68, Florida Statutes. Review proceedings are 4588governed by the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. Such proceedings are 4599commenced by filing one copy of a Notice of Appeal with the agency clerk of the 4615Division of Administrative Hearings and a second copy, accompanied by filing 4626fees prescribed by law, with the District Court of Appeal, First District, or 4639with the District Court of Appeal in the appellate district where the party 4652resides. The Notice of Appeal must be filed within 30 days of rendition of the 4667order to be reviewed.
- Date
- Proceedings
- Date: 07/25/1994
- Proceedings: (circuit court) Petitioner`s Notice of Voluntary Dismissal filed.
- Date: 07/20/1994
- Proceedings: (unsigned) Final Order filed. (From W. Jay Hunston)
- Date: 07/20/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Statement of No Objection filed.
- Date: 07/19/1994
- Proceedings: Statement of No Objection and Supplemental Proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommended Order filed.
- Date: 07/19/1994
- Proceedings: Proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommended Order filed. (From Betsy S. Burdon)
- Date: 07/01/1994
- Proceedings: Notice of Voluntary Dismissal filed.
- Date: 06/30/1994
- Proceedings: Notice of Appearance filed.
- Date: 06/29/1994
- Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
- Date: 06/29/1994
- Proceedings: BY ORDER of THE COURT filed.
- Date: 06/22/1994
- Proceedings: (Intervenors) Petition for Leave to Intervene filed.
- Date: 06/20/1994
- Proceedings: Response to Petition for Writ of Prohibition, Certiorari, and/or Review of Non Final Administrative Action sent out. (from James W. York)
- Date: 06/16/1994
- Proceedings: Order sent out. (Motion for Continuance denied)
- Date: 06/15/1994
- Proceedings: Respondent`s Objection to Motion for Continuance; Notice of Unavailablity filed.
- Date: 06/15/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Response to Respondent`s Objection to Motion for Continuance filed.
- Date: 06/14/1994
- Proceedings: (Respondent) Notice of Unavailability filed.
- Date: 06/14/1994
- Proceedings: Respondent`s Objection to Motion for Continuance filed.
- Date: 06/13/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Motion for Continuance filed.
- Date: 06/13/1994
- Proceedings: Petition for Writ of Prohibition, Certiorari, and/or Review of Non-Final Administrative Action filed.
- Date: 05/23/1994
- Proceedings: (Respondent) Memorandum of Law In Opposition to Motion to Abate, Stay or Continue Final Hearing filed.
- Date: 05/20/1994
- Proceedings: (Respondent) Memorandum of Law In Opposition to Motions to abate, Stay Or Continue Final Hearing filed.
- Date: 05/17/1994
- Proceedings: Notice of Hearing sent out. (hearing set for 6/29/94; 9:30am; West Palm Beach)
- Date: 05/17/1994
- Proceedings: Order sent out. (Motions to abate, stay, or continue are denied)
- Date: 05/16/1994
- Proceedings: (Respondent) Statement of Objection to Motions to Abate, Stay or Continue Final Hearing filed.
- Date: 05/13/1994
- Proceedings: Palm Beach County's Statement of No Objection to Motion to Abate, Stay, or Continue Final Hearing filed.
- Date: 05/13/1994
- Proceedings: (Respondent) Statement of Objection to Motions to Abate, Stay or Continue Final Hearing filed.
- Date: 05/11/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Motion to Abate, Stay, or Continue the Final Hearing filed.
- Date: 05/11/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Motion to Abate, Stay, or Continue Final Hearing filed.
- Date: 04/29/1994
- Proceedings: (Respondent) Answer and Affirmative Defenses to Amended Petition of South Indian River Water Control District; Answer and Affirmative Defenses to Amended Petition of Palm Beach County; Answer and Affirmative Defenses to Amend Petition of Northern Palm B
- Date: 04/26/1994
- Proceedings: (Respondent) Answer and Affirmative Defenses to Amended Petition of Northern Palm Beach County Water Control District filed.
- Date: 04/26/1994
- Proceedings: (Respondent) Answer and Affirmative Defenses to Amended Petition of Palm Beach County; Answer and affirmative Defenses to Amended Petition of South Indian River Water Control District; Answer and Affirmative Defenses to Amended Petition of Northern Palm
- Date: 04/04/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Amended Petition for Formal Administrative Determination of Invalidity of Changes to Proposed Rule Chapter 31-16 w/Exhibit-A filed.
- Date: 04/04/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Amended Petition for Formal Administrative Determination of Invalidity of Changes to Proposed Rule filed.
- Date: 04/04/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Amended Petition for Formal Administrative Determination of Invalidity of Changes to Proposed Rule w/Exhibit-A filed.
- Date: 03/28/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Notice of Intent to File Amended Petition w/cover letter filed.
- Date: 03/24/1994
- Proceedings: Notice of Intent to File Amended Petition filed. (From Jeanne O. Conway)
- Date: 03/24/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Notice of Intent to File Amended Petition filed.
- Date: 03/23/1994
- Proceedings: Notice of Intent to File Amended Petition w/cover letter filed. (From Betsy S. Burden)
- Date: 03/16/1994
- Proceedings: Order Granting Consolidation sent out. (Consolidated cases are: 94-718RP, 94-765RP & 94-766RP)
- Date: 03/16/1994
- Proceedings: Order Dismissing Petitions with Leave to Amend sent out.
- Date: 02/28/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Motion to Consolidate w/case #94-766RP; Notice of Unavailability filed.
- Date: 02/28/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Memorandum in Opposition to Motion to Dismiss and Quash w/Exhibits A-F filed.
- Date: 02/25/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Notice of Unavailablity; Memorandum in Opposition to Motion to Dismiss and Quash filed.
- Date: 02/25/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Motion to Consoidate w/94-766RP filed.
- Date: 02/18/1994
- Proceedings: (Petitioner) Notice of Related Cases (case #s 94-766RP & 94-765) filed.
- Date: 02/18/1994
- Proceedings: CC (Respondent) Motion to Dismiss and Quash; Memorandum of Law in Support of Respondent`s Motion to Dismiss and Quash filed.
- Date: 02/17/1994
- Proceedings: (Respondent) Motion to Diosmiss and Quash w/Exhibit-A; Memorandum of Law in Support of Respondent`s Motion to Dismiss and Quash w/Exhibit-A filed.
- Date: 02/10/1994
- Proceedings: Order of Assignment sent out.
- Date: 02/09/1994
- Proceedings: Petition for Formal Administrative Determination of Invalidity of Proposed Rule as Revised rec`d; Letter to Liz Cloud & Carroll Webb from Marguerite Lockard w/cc: Agency General Counsel sent out.
Case Information
- Judge:
- MICHAEL M. PARRISH
- Date Filed:
- 02/09/1994
- Date Assignment:
- 02/10/1994
- Last Docket Entry:
- 08/31/1994
- Location:
- West Palm Beach, Florida
- District:
- Southern
- Agency:
- Districts
- Suffix:
- RP