62-348.300. Application Requirements

Applicants using this rule shall submit Form 62-330.060(1), “Joint Application for Individual and Conceptual Environmental Resource Permit/Authorization to Use State-Owned Submerged Lands/Federal Dredge and Fill Permit,” for an environmental resource permit, which is incorporated by reference in subsection 62-330.060(1), F.A.C. (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-03189). A copy of Form 62-330.060(1) may be obtained from the Department’s internet site http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/erp/forms.htm or by contacting the appropriate office identified in Appendix A of the Environmental Resource Permit Applicant’s Handbook Volume 1 available at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/rulesprog.htm#erp. In addition, applicants shall submit the following plans and reports for the high-quality peat extraction area that will be subject to the wetland mitigation provisions of this chapter:

(1) Plans showing the depth to the clay, sand, or rock stratum under the area where peat is proposed for extraction, identified on a grid with a maximum horizontal interval no larger than 50 feet.

(2) Plans showing the proposed depth of excavation and extraction (below existing grade), identified on a grid with a maximum horizontal interval no larger than 50 feet.

(3) Plans and aerial photography showing the existing land use and land cover (acreage and percentages) mapped to at least Level III of the Florida Land Use, Cover and Classification System (Florida Department of Transportation, 1999), incorporated by reference herein. A copy of this document may be obtained from the Department in the manner described in Rule 62-348.900, F.A.C. Each mapped unit shall be sufficiently homogenous in character to be assessed as a single unit. No mapped unit shall be smaller than 0.1 of an acre.

(4) For historically herbaceous freshwater wetlands that will be subject to the wetland mitigation provisions of this chapter, the application shall include documentation of the historic land cover conditions. Such documentation shall include at least a chronological sequence of dated aerial photographs demonstrating the historical character of the wetland. The applicant may provide any additional information to supplement the aerial photography to demonstrate their claim that the wetland is a historically herbaceous freshwater wetland.

(5) A prospecting report describing the horizontal and vertical extent of the high-quality peat extraction area that will be subject to the wetland mitigation provisions of this chapter. The report shall be based on core samples from the proposed peat extraction area taken on a grid with a maximum horizontal sample spacing no larger than 100 feet. All core samples shall be included in the prospecting report. The report shall identify the location and relative depths where peat samples were collected and the results of the analysis, including for each core the classification and vertical extent of all layers that can be classified using the von Post Humification Scale. The analysis for any layer classified on the von Post Humification Scale as H1 to H4 shall also include the measurement of pH.

(6) Information required by Chapter 62-345, F.A.C., Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method, for all areas of wetlands proposed for extraction and for all wetland mitigation areas.

(7) Plans for all reclamation and wetland mitigation areas showing the proposed final grade elevations and water levels. Water levels shall include seasonal high and seasonal low water elevations.  Wetland mitigation shall meet the design standards of Rule 62-348.600, F.A.C.

(8) Plans for the proposed land use and land cover (acreage and percentages) for all reclamation and wetland mitigation areas mapped to at least Level III of the Florida Land Use, Cover and Classification System (Florida Department of Transportation, 1999). Each mapped unit shall be sufficiently homogenous in character to be assessed as a single unit. No mapped unit shall be smaller than 0.1 of an acre.

(9) Form 62-348.900(1), “Horticultural Use Certification for High-Quality Peat,” as incorporated by reference in subsection 62-348.100(2), F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 373.026(7), 373.043, 373.118, 373.4131, 373.414, 373.4145, 373.421, 403.0877 FS. Law Implemented 373.026(7), 373.109, 373.413, 373.4131, 373.414, 373.4141, 373.416, 373.426 FS. History–New 8-18-10, Amended 1-5-15.