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.


View Dockets  
Summary: All changes to proposed rule were changes of type authorized by Section 120.54(13)(b), F.S.

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[[ 2048> collect an Operation and

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.

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PDF
Date
Proceedings
PDF:
Date: 08/31/1994
Proceedings: DOAH Final Order
PDF:
Date: 08/31/1994
Proceedings: CASE CLOSED. Final Order sent out. Hearing held 06/29/94.
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
 

Related DOAH Cases(s) (1):

Related Florida Statute(s) (4):

Related Florida Rule(s) (3):