The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice of its intent to grant a variance under Section 403.201, Florida Statutes, from the provisions of subparagraph 62-302.500(1)(a)4., paragraphs 62-4.241(2)(a), and 62-4.244(3)(a), Florida Administrative Code, to the Charlotte Harbor Water Association, Inc., Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility, 2515 Highlands Road, Punta Gorda, Florida, which would allow relief from the acute toxicity requirements for waters discharging from the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility Outfall D-001 to the San Marino Canal and then to the Peace River, located in Charlotte County, Florida. A variance constitutes a temporary change to water quality standards within the affected area.
The intent to grant and application file on this matter are available for public inspection during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, at the Departments Bureau of Water Facilities Regulation, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida, Telephone: (850)245-8419.
The Department will grant the variance with the attached conditions unless a timely petition for an administrative hearing is filed under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes, within 14 days of receipt of notice. The procedures for petitioning a hearing are set forth below.
A person whose substantial interests are affected by the Departments proposed variance decision may petition for an administrative proceeding (hearing) under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes. The petition must contain the information set forth below and must be filed (received by the clerk) in the Office of General Counsel of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station #35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000.
Under subsection 62-110.106(4), Florida Administrative Code, a person may request an extension of the time for filing a petition for an administrative hearing. The request must be filed (received by the Clerk) in the Office of General Counsel before the end of the time period for filing a petition for an administrative hearing.
Petitions filed by any persons other than those entitled to written notice under Section 120.60(3), Florida Statutes, must be filed within fourteen days of publication of the notice or within fourteen days of receipt of the written notice, whichever occurs first. Section 120.60(3), Florida Statutes, however, also allows that any person who has asked the Department for notice of agency action may file a petition within fourteen days of receipt of such notice, regardless of the date of publication.
The petitioner shall mail a copy of the petition to the applicant at the address indicated above at the time of filing. The failure of any person to file a petition or request for an extension of time within fourteen days of receipt of notice shall constitute a waiver of that persons right to request an administrative determination (hearing) under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes. Any subsequent intervention (in a proceeding initiated by another party) will be only at the discretion of the presiding officer upon filing of a motion in compliance with Rule 28-106.205, Florida Administrative Code.
A petition that disputes the material facts on which the Departments action is based must contain the following information, as indicated in Rule 28-106.201, Florida Administrative Code:
(a) The name and address of each agency affected and each agencys file or identification number, if known;
(b) The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner; the name, address, and telephone number of the petitioners representative, if any, which shall be the address for service purposes during the course of the proceeding; and an explanation of how the petitioners substantial interests are or will be affected by the agency determination;
(c) A statement of when and how the petitioner received notice of the agency decision;
(d) A statement of all disputed issues of material fact. If there are none, the petition must so indicate;
(e) A concise statement of the ultimate facts alleged, including the specific facts that the petitioner contends warrant reversal or modification of the Departments proposed action;
(f) A statement of the specific rules or statutes the petitioner contends require reversal or modification of the Departments proposed action, including an explanation of how the alleged facts relate to the specific rules or statutes; and
(g) A statement of the relief sought by the petitioner, stating precisely the action that the petitioner wishes the Department to take with respect to the Departments proposed action.
Because the administrative hearing process is designed to formulate final agency action, the filing of a petition means that the Departments final action may be different from the position taken by it in this notice. Persons whose substantial interests will be affected by any such final decision of the Department have the right to petition to become a party to the proceeding, in accordance with the requirements set forth above.
Mediation under Section 120.573, Florida Statutes, is not available for this proceeding.
