20-002995
Brian Hacker vs.
Kelly Endres, Ifrain Lima, And Department Of Environmental Protection
Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.
Recommended Order on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.
1R ECOMMENDED O RDER
5Pursuant to notice, a final hearing was held before Francine M. Ffolkes,
17the assigned Administrative Law Judge of the Division of Administrative
27Hearings (DOAH), on September 17, 2020, in Tallahassee, Florida, via Zoom
38video conferenc e .
42A PPEARANCES
44Petitioners: Tracy L. Kochman n , P ro se
52249 Carolyn Drive
55Oviedo, Florida 32765
58Shelly M. Meier , P ro se
64208 Long Acres Lane
68Oviedo, Florida 32765
71Brain Hacker , P ro se
76170 Long Acres Lane
80Oviedo, Florida 32765
83For Respondent Department of Environmental Protection:
89Jay Patrick Reynolds, Esquire
93Department of Environmental Protection
97Mail Station 35
1003900 Commonwealth Boulevard
103Tallahassee, Florida 32399
106For Respondent s Kelly Endres and Ifrain Lima:
114Neysa Borkert, Esquire
117Garganese, Weiss, DAgresta and Salzman
1221 1 1 North Orange Avenue
128Post Office Box 398
132Orlando, Florida 32802
135S TATEMENT OF THE I SSUE
141The issue in this case is whether the Respondents, Kelly Endres and
153Ifrain Lima (Endres/Lima) , are entitled to an Environmental Resource
162Permit ( ERP ) that would allow use of 0.535 acres of previously impacted
176wetlands for the construction of a single - famil y residence and associated
189structures, a 30 ' x 30 ' private dock with a 4 ' access walkway, and a 12 ' wide
209boat ramp (Project) at 160 Long Acres Lane, Ov i edo, Florida (Pro perty ).
224P RELIMINARY S TATEMENT
228On August 22, 2019, Respondents Endres/Lima submitted an application
237for the ERP. On February 7, 20 20 , Respondent , Department of
248Environmental Protection (Department) , issued a notice of intent to issue
258the ERP (NOI) for the Project .
265On May 26, 2020, Petitioner , Shelley Meier (Meier) , timely filed a
276p etition for h earing with the Department. On June 11, 2020, Petitioner ,
289Brian Hacker (Hacker) , and Petitioner , Tracy Kochmann (Kochmann) ,
297separately , timely filed petitions for hearing with the Department. On
307July 1, 2020 , the Department referred the three petitions to DOAH . DOAH
320consolidated the petitions on July 7, 2020.
327The parties filed their Joint Pre - Hearing Stipulation on September 8,
3392020 , and an Amended Joint Pre - Hearing Stipulation on September 14,
3512020. Respondents Endres/Lim a filed a Motion to S trike Witness David
363Mahnken ( Mahnken ) and Petitioner Kochmann filed an objection to the
375motion on September 16, 2020. The Department filed a Motion in Limine also
388on September 16, 2020. On September 17, 2020 , the Departments motion
399was granted , in part , a s it related to matters concerning the City of Oviedo 's
415enforcement action ; and was denied as to the previous dredge and fill
427violation on the Property. Respondents Endres/Limas motion to strike was denied at the final hearing.
442At the final hearing, Joint Exhibits J - 1 through J - 6 were admitted
457into evidence. Respondents Endres/Lima presented the expert and fact
466testimonies of John Herbert ( Herbert ) , who was accepted as an expert in
480civil engineering; and Gary Exner (Exner) , who w as accepted as an expert in
494biology. Respondents Endres/Limas Exhibits R - 1 , R - 5 , and R - 6 were
509admitted into evidence.
512The Department presented the fact testimony of Megan Warr (Warr) ,
522Environmental Specialist III ; and Jason Seyfert, Environmental Manager .
531The Departments Exhibits D - 1 through D - 3 were admitted into evidence.
545Petitioners presented the fact testimony of Nicholas Lenssen and
554Mr. Hacker ; and the expert testimony of Mr. Mahnken, an environmental
565scientist. Petitioners Exhibits P - 1 , P - 8 , and P - 22 were admitted into
582evidence. The Petitioners proffered exhibits P - 2, P - 13, and P - 21, which
598were denied admission into evidence.
603The three - volume Transcript of the hearing was filed with DOAH on
616October 16, 2020. The parties timely filed their propos ed recommended
627orders on November 6, 2020.
632References to Florida Statutes are to the 2019 version, unless otherwise
643stated.
644F INDINGS OF F ACT
649The following Findings of Fact are based on the stipulations of the parties
662and the evidence adduced at the final hearing.
670The Parties
6721 . The Department is the administrative agency of the state statutorily
684charged with, among other things, protecting Florida's air and water
694resources. The Department administers and enforces certain provisions of
703chapter 373, part IV, Florida Statutes, and the rules promulgated ,
713thereunder , in the Florida Administrative Code. Under that authority, the
723Department determines whether to issue or deny applications for ERPs .
7342. Respondents Endres/Lima own the Property and are the a pplicants for
746the ERP at issue in this consolidated proceeding.
7543. Petitioner Meier is a neighboring property owner to the south of the
767Property. Petitioner Meier ' s property includes a single - family residence with
780accessory structures and is located on Long Lake. Petitioner Meier is
791concerned that the NOI provides inadequate environmental protections and
800that there will be flooding on adjacent properties from the Pr oject.
8124. Petitioner Hacker is the neighboring property owner adjacent to the
823south of the Property. Petitioner Hacker ' s property includes a single - family
837residence with accessory structures and is located on Long Lake. He is
849concerned with the completene ss of the application for the Project, the
861calculation of wetland impacts, that reasonable assurances were provided,
870and that the Department ' s NOI ignores willful negligence and allows
882d i sp a rate treatment of Respondents Endres/Lima.
8915. Petitioner Kochmann is a property owner with a single - family
903residence and accessory structures located on Long Lake. She is concerned that the NOI is based on a misleading application and provides no evidence
927that the Respondents Endres/Lima made reasonable efforts to elimi nate and
938reduce impacts detrimental to the environment.
944History of the Project and Application
9506. On April 12, 2018, Respondents Endres/Lima applied for an ERP for
962proposed wetland impacts associated with a planned single - family home on
974the Property. This was the first ERP application for the Property. The
986Department sent a Request for Additional Information (RAI) on April 24,
9972018, and a second RAI on November 2, 2018.
10067. Respondents Endres/Lima provided a Mitigation Service Area Rule
1015Analysis for " As If In - Basin " for the Lake X Mitigation Bank for the St. Johns
1032River Water Management District Basins to the Department via email on
1043May 10, 2018. Respondents Endres/Lima submitted revised plans to the
1053Department on September 19, a nd October 30, 2018.
10628. On January 7, 2019, the Department denied the ERP application. The
1074Department and Respondents Endres/Lima, on July 18, 2019, entered into a
1085Consent Order (CO) . The Department found , and Respondents Endres/Lima
1095admitted , that approximately 0.80 acres of juris dictional wetlands were
1105dredged and filled without a valid ERP from the Department ; and was done
1118with improperly installed erosion and sedimentation controls.
11259. On August 22, 2019, Respondents Endres/Lima submitted a second
1135ERP application. The Department sent an RAI on September 20, 2019, to
1147which Respondents Endres/Lima responded on December 19, 2019. In
1156addition, Respondents Endres/Lima reserved 0 .60 of forested U niform
1166Mitigation Assessment Method (U MAM ) wetland credits from the Lake X
1178Mitigation Bank and provided the Department with an updated site plan and
1190Lake X Mitigation Bank credit reservation letter.
119710. The Department issued a n NOI on February 7, 2020 , which was timely
1211published in the Sanford He rald on February 9, 2020. Respondents
1222Endres/Lima provided timely proof of publication to the Department on
1232February 13, 2020.
1235Consent Order and Compliance
123911. A w arning l etter was issued to Respondents Endres/Lima on
1251January 30, 20 19, for the dredging and filling of approximately 0.80 acres of
1265forested wetlands and improper installation of erosion and sedimentation control.
127512. The CO , executed on July 18, 2019, required Respondent s
1286Endres/Lima to cease any dredging, filling, or cons truction activities on the
1298Property, submit an application for an Individual ERP within 30 days , and
1310pay $5,599.00 in penalties and the Department 's costs and expenses.
1322After the issuance of an ERP, Respondent s Endres/Lima were also required
1334to implement the r estoration a ctions outlined in the CO.
134513. Respondents Endres/Limas application , dated August 19, 2020 , was
1355submitted to the Department on August 22, 2020. Respondents E ndres/Lima
1366paid the CO's penalties and costs , and had multiple me etings with the
1379Department to complete the requirements of the CO.
138714. Respondents Endres/Limas expert , Mr. Exner , testified that he began
1397working on a restoration plan for the Property , which will be provided to the
1411Department once an ERP is issue d.
1418P ermitting Criteria
142115. The Department reviewed the complete a pplication and determined
1431that it satisfied the conditions for issuance und er Florida Administrative
1442Code R ule 62 - 330.301, and the applicable sections of the E RP Applicant ' s
1459Handbook Volume I (AH Vol. I).
146516. The Department also considered the seven criteria in r ule 62 - 330.302
1479and section 373.414(1)(a), and determined that implementing the Project
1488would not be contrary to the public interest.
1496Water Quantity, Flooding, Surface Water Storage and Conveyance
150417. Respondents Endres/Lima' s civil engineering expert, Mr. Herbert ,
1514testified that a ccording to the drainage design, the Property would have
1526swales on either side of the proposed residence to slope water away from the
1540residence . There would also be a conveyance swale on the north property
1553boundary to convey water from the street area and front yard toward the
1566restoration and wetland areas with ultimate discharge to Long Lake.
157618. He stated that the elevation of the roa d at the front of the Property
1592would be at 47.4 feet , and the elevation at the terminus of the swale would be
1608at 45 feet . This would allow a 2.4 - f oo t vertical fall for the swales to convey
1628water to the lake. Th e design would preserve pre - development surface water
1642flow over the Property to Long Lake , which is the lowest elevation in the
1656area , and will ensure that storm water does not flood adjacent properties.
166819. M r. Herbert also testified that the Project design would maintain
1680pre - deve lopment water storage capacity. The impo rted fill that is currently
1694on the Property in the flood plain would be removed and reshaped so that the
1709lake elevation would be maintained and water can flow correctly.
1719Elimination or Reduction of Impacts and Mitigation
172620. Respondents Endres/Lima provid ed the Department with design
1735modifications to reduce impacts associated with the Project . These included a
174715 - foot restoration buffer along the lake front ' s northern shoreline, an
1761elevated access walkway five feet above the wetland restoration area to the
1773proposed dock, limiting the width of the access walk to four feet, and limiting
1787the boat ramp width to a single - lane.
179621. In June 2015 , an informal wetlands determination was conducted for
1807the Property. The informal determination concluded that the entir ety of the
1819Property w ere wetlands . H owever, this was an informal determination and
1832was not binding. In October 2016, before the first permit application was
1844submitted, Mr. Exner did a wetlands delineation flagging prior to the
1855Property being cleared or disturbed.
186022. Mr. Exner testified that , in his opinion , the Property was not all
1873wetlands because large pines near the road had no high water marks,
1885adventitious growth around the bases, or evidence of pine borer beetles along
1897with other indicators of up land habitat. This wetland delineation was p art of
1911the permit submittal, was shown o n the plans, was accepted by the
1924Department, and was used for the preparation of the UMAM scoring.
1935Mr. Exner ' s wetland delineation line was used by the Department to help
1949determine and map the wetland impacts identified in the CO.
195923. The direct impact area was assessed at 0.54 acres with a secondary
1972impact area of 0.02 acres for a total impact of 0.56 acres , and a functional loss
1988score of 0.364. Respondent s Endres/Lima reserved 0.6 forested UMAM
1998mitigation credits, almost double the amount of functional loss under the
2009UMAM assessment, agreed to purchase 0.46 credits. The excess mitigation
2019bank credits implement part of a plan that provide s regional ecologica l value
2033and greater long - term ecological value than the area of wetland adversely
2046a ffected.
2048Secondary and Cumulative Impacts
205224. The Project 's UMAM analysis assessed 0.02 acres , or 870 square feet ,
2065of secondary impacts . These impacts w ould be fully offset by the mitig ation
2080proposed for the Project.
208425. Petitioners ' expert, Mr. Mahnken, noted three areas where he thought
2096the application was incomplete. The first was that the site plan did not call
2110out the location of the secondary impacts. H owever, Part III: Plans of Section
2124B of the application , does not require that the site plan show the location of
2139the secondary impacts. T he application requirements for " plans " requires
2149only the boundaries and size of the wetlands on the Property and provide the
2163acreages of the upland areas, wetland impact areas , and the remaining
2174untouched area .
217726. Second, Mr. Mahnken questioned the calculation performed to
2186determine the secondary impact acreage . H owever, Mr. Mahnken read the
2198information incorrectly and stated that the secondary impact area was 0 .002
2210acres , or 87 square feet , when th e UMAM score sheet clearly showed that the
2225secondary impact area is 0 .02 acres , or 870 square feet.
223627. In addition, the Department ' s witness, Ms. Warr, testified that even if
2250the Department were to use Mr. Mahnken ' s analysis, the result would have
2264been the same, i.e., the requirement to purchase 0.46 mitigation credits.
2275Thus, Petitioners failed to support their claim t hat the Project would have
2288adverse secondary impacts.
229128. Third, Mr. M ahnken asserted that cumulative impacts were not
2302adequately addressed. He testified that the assessment for the Property
2312using spill over benefits, in his opinion, was not enough to ful ly offset the
2327impacts of the Project . Mr. Mahnken acknowledged, however, that his
2338opinion was open to debate , and that he had not con ducted any rigorous
2352hydrologic evaluation in reaching his opinion.
235829. Respondents Endres/Lima had submitted a report prepared by
2367Breedlove, Dennis & Associates (BDA Report) with their application in order
2378to demonstrate compliance with s ection 10.2.8, ERP AH Vol. I, regarding
2390cumulative impacts.
239230 . T he BDA Report utilized peer - reviewed hydrologic da ta that was
2407reviewed and approved by the South Florida Water Management District ,
2417and was accepted by the Department pursuant to section 373.4136(6)(c). This
2428was consistent with the Property's location within the mitigation service area for the Lake X Miti gation Bank.
24463 1 . The Project is located within the Econlockhatchee River drainage
2458basin, which is a nested basin within the larger St. Johns River [Canaveral Marshes to Wekiva] drainage basin. The Lake X Mitigation Bank is located
2483outside of the Econlockh atchee River drainage basin, but the Project is
2495located within the Lake X Mitigation Bank service area.
25043 2 . The BDA report determined that:
2512In summary, the Lake X Mitigation Bank is a
2521regionally significant mitigation bank site that has
2528direct hydrological and ecological connections to the
2535SJRWMD basins, to include the cumulative
2541impacts basin in which the subject property is located (i.e., SJRWMD Basin 19). The size,
2556biodiversity, and proximity of the mitigation bank
2563site to the SJRWMD basins, and the regionally
2571significant hydrological connection between the mitigation bank site and the contiguous SJRWMD mitigation basins, supports the use of this
2590mitigation bank site as if in basin mitigation for
2599the Lima/Endres Wetland Fill Project. Additio nally,
2606the evaluation of factors, to include connectivity of
2614waters, hydrology, habitat range of affected species, and water quality, demonstrates the spillover
2627benefits that the Lake X Mitigation Bank has on
2636the St. Johns River (Canaveral Marshes to Wekiv a)
2645mitigation basin, which includes the Econlockhatchee River Nested basin, and
2655demonstrated that the proposed mitigation will
2661fully offset the impacts proposed as part of the
2670Lima/Endres Wetland Fill Project as if in - basin
2679mitigation. The Lake X Mitigat ion Bank will
2687protect and maintain the headwaters of two
2694regionally significant drainage basins [i.e., the
2700Northern Everglades Kissimmee River Watershed and the Upper St. Johns River Watershed (to include the nested Econlockhatchee River basin)],
2719and will provide resource protection to both river
2727systems (SFWMD Technical Staff Report, November 29, 2016). Furthermore, the permanent protection and management of the Lake X Mitigation Bank will provide spillover benefits to
2752the SJRWMD basins located within th e permitted
2760MSA.
276133. Mr. Mahnken stated that his review of the Project did not include a
2775hydrologic study and only looked at basic flow patterns for Long Lake. By
2788contrast, the BDA Report included an extensive hydrologic study, looked at
2799all required factors in section 10.2.8(b), ERP AH, Vol. I, and determined that
2812the Project would be fully offse t with the proposed m itigation. Thus,
2825Respondents Endres/Lima provided reasonable assurance that the Project
2833will not cause unac ceptable cumulative impacts.
2840Water Quality
284234. Rule 62 - 330.302(1)(e) requires that Respondents Endres/Lima provide
2852reasonable assurance that the Project will not adversely affect the quality of
2864receiving waters such that the state water quality standards will be violated .
287735. The conditions of the ERP would require the use of best management
2890practices including a floating turbidity curtain/barrier, soil stabilization with
2899grass seed or sod, and a silt fence.
290736. Respondent Endres/Lima' s experts, Mr. Herbert and Mr. Exner,
2917testified that there is an existing turbidity barrier in the lake around the property and a silt fence around the east half of the Property. While these
2944items are not required by the Department until construction of the Project,
2956par t of the silt fence and the turbidity barrier are already installed on the
2971Property and will be required to be repaired and properly maintained in
2983accordance with the conditions of the ERP and Site Plan SP - 2.
299637. Mr. Herbert testified that the Property will be graded in a manner
3009that will result in a gentle sloping of the lake bank in the littoral zone , which
3025would allow revegetation of the lake bank. Outside of the restoration area
3037and the undisturbed wetlands, the backyard would be covered with grass to
3049prevent migration of sand and soil discharging into the lake.
305938. Mr. Ex ner testified that the grass swales proposed for the Project
3072would provide a considerable amount of nutrient uptake and filtration of
3083surface water on the Property. Also, in the restoration area next to the lake,
3097the restoration plan include s a dense planting plan with native species that
3110have good nutrient uptake capability .
3116Impacts to Fish and Wildlife
312139. Rule 62 - 330.301(1)(d) requires that Respondents Endres/Lima provide
3131reasonable assurance that the Project will not adversely impact the value of functions provided to fish and wildlife and listed species by wetlands and
3155other surface waters. Mr. Exner testified that , in his review of the Property,
3168he did not identify any c ritical wildlife habitat. He visited the Property
3181multiple times and he did not see any osprey nests, deer tracks, animal scat,
3195gopher tortoises , or sand hill cranes.
320140. The Department's Ms. W arr testified that the Florida Fish and
3213Wildlife Conservation Commission database was reviewed , a nd did not show
3224any listed species in the area.
3230Publication of N otice
323441. Petitioners argued that the notice published in the Sanford Herald on
3246February 9, 2020 , did not meet the requirements of section 373.413(4).
3257D esp ite the notice having no effect on their ability to timely challeng e the
3273proposed ERP, Petitioners argued that the published notice was insufficient
3283because the notice itself did not provide the name of the applicants or the
3297address of the Project, only a link to the Department ' s permit file.
331142. Unlike the notice required in section 373.413(3), where a person has
3323filed a written request for notification of any pending application affecting a
3335particular designated area, section 373.413(4) does not specify the contents of
3346the published notice. Section 373.413(4) does not require the published notice to include the name and address of the applicant; a brief description of the
3371proposed activity, including any mitigation; the location of the proposed
3381activity, including whether it is located within an Outstanding Florida Water
3392or aquatic preserve; a map identifying the location of the proposed activity
3404subject to the application; a depiction of the proposed activity subject to the
3417application; or a name or numbe r identifying the application and the office
3430where the application can be inspected.
343643. In response to the published notice, the Department received
3446approximately ten petitions challenging the NOI, including the petiti ons
3456timely filed by Petitioners. The refore, Petitioners were not harmed by any
3468information alleged to have been left out of the published notice.
3479Ultimate Findings
348144. Respondents Endres/Lima provide d reasonable assurance that the
3490Project will not cause adverse water quantity impacts to rec eiving waters and
3503adjacent lands; will not cause adverse flooding to on - site or off - site property;
3519and will not cause adverse impacts to existing surface water storage and
3531conveyance capabilities.
353345. Respondent s Endres/Lima provide d reasonable assurance that the
3543Project complie d with elimination and reduction of impacts , a nd proposed
3555more than adequate mitigation.
355946. Respondents Endres/Lima provided reasonable assurance that the
3567Proj e ct will not cause adverse secondary impacts to water resources ; and
3580unacceptable cumulative impacts to wetlands and other surface waters
3589within the same drainage basin.
359447. Respondents Endres/Lima provided reasonable assurance that the
3602Project will not cause adverse water quality impacts to receiving water
3613bodies.
361448 . Respondents Endres/Lima provided reasonable assurance that the
3623P roject will not adversely impact the value of functions provided to fish and
3637wildlife, and listed species by wetlands , or other surface waters.
364749. Petitioners failed to prove lack of reaso nable assurance by a
3659preponderance of the competent substantial evidence.
3665C ONCLUSIONS OF L AW
3670Nature of the Proceeding
367450. This is a de novo proceeding, designed to formulate final agency
3686action, and not to review action taken preliminarily. See Capeletti Bros. v.
3698Dep't of Gen. Servs. , 432 So. 2d 1359, 1363 (Fla. 1st DCA 1983).
371151. The standard of proof for this proceeding is a preponderance of the
3724evidence. See § 1 20.57(1)(j), Fla. Stat .
3732Burden of Proof
37355 2 . Petitioners ' challenge to the ERP is governed by section 120.569(2)(p) ,
3749Florida Statutes . This section requires that the applicant present a prima
3761facie case demonstrating entitlement to the permit. Thereafter, a third party challenging the issuance of the permit has the burden "of ultima te
3784persuasion" and the burden "of going forward to prove the case in opposition
3797to the . . . permit." If the third party fails to carry its burden, the applicant
3814prevails by virtue of its prima facie case. See § 120.569(2)(p), Fla. Stat.
382753. Section 120.569(2)(p) "clearly contemplates an abbreviated
3834presentation of the applicant's prima facie case." Last Stand, Inc., v. Fury
3846Mgmt., Inc. , Case No. 12 - 2574, RO ¶89 (Fla. DOAH Dec. 31, 2012; Fla. DEP
3862Feb. 7, 2013). The abbreviated presentation occurs beca use the statute
3873outlines the information that may constitute the applicant's prima facie case, which includes the application , and supporting materials , on which the
3894agency concluded that the applicant provided reasonable assurances of
3903compliance with app licable ERP criteria.
390954. Respondents E ndres/Lima established a prima facie case of
3919entitlement to the ERP by entering into evidence the complete application ,
3930supporting documentation and testimony, and the Department's NOI and
3939draft permit. Petitioners did not carry their burden of ultimate persuasion to
3951prove their case in opposition to the ERP by a preponderance of the
3964competent and substantial evidence. See Washington Cty. v. Bay C ty. & NW
3977Fla. Water Mgmt. Dist. , Case Nos. 10 - 2983, 10 - 2984, 10 - 10100 (Fla. DOAH
3994July 26, 2012; Fla. NWFWMD Sep. 27, 2012).
4002Permitting Standard
400455. Issuance of the ERP is dependent o n there being reasonable
4016assurances that the Project would meet applicable statutory and regulatory
4026standards. See §§ 373.413 , 373.4136, and 37 3.414, Fla. Stat. ; Fla. Admin.
4038Code R. 62 - 330; Sections 10.2 and 10.3 , ERP AH , Vol. I.
405156. "Reasonable assurance" means "a substantial likelihood that the
4060project will be successfully implemented." See Metro. Dade C ty. v. Coscan
4072Fl a. , Inc. , 609 So. 2d 644 , 648 (Fla. 3d DCA 1992). Reasonable assurance does
4087not require absolute guarantees that the applicable conditions for issuance of
4098a permit have been satisfied. Further, speculation or subjective beliefs are
4109not sufficient to carry the burden of presenting contrary evidence or proving a
4122lack of reasonable assurance necessary to demonstrate that a permit should
4133not be issued. See FINR II, Inc. v. CF Indus., Inc. , Case No. 11 - 6495 (Fla.
4150DOAH Apr. 30, 2012; Fla. DEP June 8, 2012) , aff'd 118 So. 3d 809 (Fla. 1st
4166DCA 2013).
4168Public Interest
417057. Section 373.414(1)(a) requires a determination that a proposed project
4180is not contrary to the public interest or is clearly in the public interest . The
4196Department "shall consider and balance" seven factors. All seven factors are
4207collectively considered to determine whether, on balance, a proposed project
4217satisfies the public interest test. See 1800 Atlantic Developers v. Dep't of
4229Envtl. Reg. , 552 So. 2d 946, 953, 957 (Fla. 1st DCA 1989), rev. den. , 5 62 So.
42462d 345 (Fla. 1990); Last Stand, Inc. v. Fury Mgmt., Inc ., Case No. 12 - 2574
4263(Fla. DOAH Dec. 31, 2012; Fla. DEP Feb. 7, 2013).
427358. Respondents Endres/Lima demonstrated that the Project is not
4282contrary to the public interest pursuant to s ection 373.41 4(1)(a) . They proved
4296that the Project will not adversely affect the public health, safety, and welfare; the conservation of fish or wildlife or their habitats; the navigation
4320or flow of water in Long Lake; fishing or recreational value of Long Lake; or
4335sig nificant historical resources. The current condition , and value of functions
4346being performed by areas affected by the Project , will not be adversely
4358affected . Mr. Exner persuasively testified that the quality of the wetlands on
4371the Property pre - clearing were of moderate condition and had been degraded
4384due to other developments along Long Lake resulting in a loss of continuity.
439759. Petitioners opposed the ERP , but did not show any contrary evidence
4409of equivalent quality to prove that the Project is contra ry to the public
4423interest. See Fla. Dep't of Transp. v. J.W.C. Co., Inc., 396 So. 2d 778, 789 (Fla.
44391st DCA 1981) .
4443R ECOMMENDATION
4445Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is
4458R ECOMMENDED that the Department enter a Final Order granting
4468Respondents Endres/Lima's ERP application .
4474D ONE A ND E NTERED this 1st day of December , 2020, in Tallahassee, Leon
4489County, Florida .
4492F RANCINE M. F FOLKES
4497Administrative Law Judge
4500Division of Administrative Hearings
4504The DeSoto Building
45071230 Apalachee Parkway
4510Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 3060
4515(850) 488 - 9675
4519Fax Filing (850) 921 - 6847
4525www.doah.state.fl.us
4526Filed with the Clerk of the
4532Division of Administrative Hearings
4536this 1st day of December , 2020.
4542C OPIES F URNISHED :
4547Jay Patrick Reynolds, Esquire
4551Department of Environmental Protection
45553900 Commonwealth Boulevard , Mail Station 35
4561Tallahassee, Florida 32399
4564(eServed)
4565Neysa Borkert, Esquire
4568Garganese, Weiss, D'Agresta and Salzman
4573111 North Orange Avenue
4577Post Office Box 398
4581Orlando, Florida 32802
4584(eServed)
4585Tracy L. Kochmann
4588249 Carolyn Drive
4591Oviedo, Florida 32765
4594(eServed)
4595Shelley M. Meier
4598208 Long Acres Lane
4602Oviedo, Florida 32765
4605(eServed)
4606Brian Hacker
4608170 Long Acres Lane
4612Oviedo, Florida 32765
4615(eServed)
4616Lea Crandall, Agency Clerk
4620Department of Environmental Protection
4624Douglas Building, Mail Station 35
46293900 Commonwealth Boulevard
4632Tallahassee, Florida 32399
4635(eServed)
4636Justin G. Wolfe, General Counsel
4641Department of Environmental Protection
4645Legal Department, Suite 1051 - J
4651Douglas Building, Mail Station 35
46563900 Commonwealth Boulevard
4659Tallahassee, Florida 32399
4662(eServed)
4663Noah Valenstein, Secretary
4666Department of Environmental Protection
4670Douglas Building
46723900 Commonwealth Boulevard
4675T allahassee, Florida 32399
4679(eServed)
4680N OTICE OF R IGHT TO S UBMIT E XCEPTIONS
4690All parties have the right to submit written exceptions within 15 days from
4703the date of this Recommended Order. Any exceptions to this Recommended Order should be filed with the agency that will issue the Final Order in this
4729case.
- Date
- Proceedings
- PDF:
- Date: 12/01/2020
- Proceedings: Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
- PDF:
- Date: 12/01/2020
- Proceedings: Recommended Order (hearing held September 17, 2020). CASE CLOSED.
- PDF:
- Date: 11/05/2020
- Proceedings: Department of Environmental Protection's Proposed Recommended Order filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 10/21/2020
- Proceedings: Petitioners Kochmann/Meier/Hacker Motion to Request Extension of Time to File Proposed Order (filed in Case No. 20-002994).
- Date: 10/16/2020
- Proceedings: Transcript (not available for viewing) filed.
- Date: 09/17/2020
- Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
- PDF:
- Date: 09/16/2020
- Proceedings: Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Motion in Limine filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 09/16/2020
- Proceedings: Petitioners Kochmann/Meier/Hacker Objection to Motion to Strike Petitioners' Witness David Mahnken filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 09/16/2020
- Proceedings: Respondents Endres/Lima's Motion to Strike Petitioners' Witness David Mahnken filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 09/15/2020
- Proceedings: Respondents Endres/Lima's Amended Exhibit List (and exhibits) filed.
- Date: 09/11/2020
- Proceedings: Petitioner's Proposed Exhibits filed (exhibits not available for viewing).
- PDF:
- Date: 09/11/2020
- Proceedings: Respondent State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Notice of Filing Proposed Exhibits filed.
- Date: 09/10/2020
- Proceedings: Respondent's Proposed Exhibits filed (exhibits not available for viewing).
- PDF:
- Date: 09/02/2020
- Proceedings: Combined Response to Interrogatories for Kochmann/Meier/Hacker filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/24/2020
- Proceedings: Petitioners Kochmann/Meier/Hacker's Revised Witness Disclosure List filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/19/2020
- Proceedings: Respondent Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Notice of Taking Depositions Duces Tecum filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/18/2020
- Proceedings: Petitioners Kochmann/Meier/Hacker's Revised Witness Disclosure List filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/10/2020
- Proceedings: Petitioners' Kochmann/Meier/Hacker's Witness Disclosure List filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/10/2020
- Proceedings: Respondent State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Witness Disclosure List filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/10/2020
- Proceedings: Respondent Department of Environmental Protection's First Request for Production of Documents to Petitioner Brian Hacker filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/10/2020
- Proceedings: Respondent Department of Environmental Protection's First Request for Production of Documents to Petitioner Shelley Meier filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/10/2020
- Proceedings: Respondent Department of Environmental Protection's First Request for Production of Documents to Petitioner Tracy Kochmann filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/10/2020
- Proceedings: Notice and Certificate of Service of Respondent Department of Environmental Protection's First Set of Interrogatories to Petitioner, Brian Hacker filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/10/2020
- Proceedings: Notice and Certificate of Service of Respondent Department of Environmental Protection's First Set of Interrogatories to Petitioner, Shelley Meier filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 08/10/2020
- Proceedings: Notice and Certificate of Service of Respondent Department of Environmental Protection's First Set of Interrogatories to Petitioner, Tracy Kochmann filed.
- PDF:
- Date: 07/15/2020
- Proceedings: Notice of Hearing by Zoom Conference (hearing set for September 17 and 18, 2020; 9:00 a.m.; Tallahassee).
Case Information
- Judge:
- FRANCINE M. FFOLKES
- Date Filed:
- 07/01/2020
- Date Assignment:
- 07/06/2020
- Last Docket Entry:
- 01/12/2021
- Location:
- Tallahassee, Florida
- District:
- Northern
- Agency:
- ADOPTED IN TOTO
Counsels
-
Neysa Borkert, Esquire
Address of Record -
Brian Hacker
Address of Record -
Jay Patrick Reynolds, Esquire
Address of Record