The objective of the proposed revisions is to reduce the regulatory burden for sand and limestone mines from industrial wastewater permitting requirements as a result of having duplicative permitting requirements enforced under the Environmental ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

62-660.804General Permit for Sand and Limestone Mines

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The objective of the proposed revisions is to reduce the regulatory burden for sand and limestone mines from industrial wastewater permitting requirements as a result of having duplicative permitting requirements enforced under the Environmental Resource Program (ERP).

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The Division is proposing to revise the general permit used by the Industrial Wastewater Program, which was adopted in 1991, authorizing construction and operation of sand and limestone mines that include a processing facility, water control system and settling pond. At the time of its adoption in 1991, it was the only Department general permit specifically developed for mining activities, and has changed very little since its adoption. Since 1995, the Department (through the Mining and Mitigation Program) has issued Environmental Resource Permits (ERP) covering a variety of mining activities including those activities covered by the general permit for sand and limestone mines. The ERP permit includes the review of the stormwater containment system for the mining and processing facilities. It also requires the facilities to meet surface and ground water quality standards. Given this, for those mines which have ERPs, the industrial wastewater general permit is redundant and does not provide additional water quality protection. Since October 1, 2007, all new mines will obtain coverage under the ERP. However, there are several existing mines that will need to continue to operate under this general permit until they expand and an ERP is required, or close. In short, as long as a facility holds a current ERP they will not be required to obtain the General Permit for Sand and Limestone Mines issued under Rule 62-660.804, F.A.C. At this time, there are approximately 110 mines which are currently covered under a general permit for sand and limestone mines. However, approximately 70 of the mines are also covered under a current ERP permit. This leaves approximately 40 mines which would require continued coverage under this general permit.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 403.051, 403.061, 403.814 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 120.55, 403.051, 403.061, 403.087, 403.814 FS.

A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: March 5, 2014, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

PLACE: DEP Tallahassee, Bob Martinez Center, 6th Floor, Room 609, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. This workshop will be broadcast via webinar. Parties can register to attend the webinar via their personal computers with audio by telephone (regular long distance telephone charges will apply) or by speakers connected to their computer (no telephone charges will apply). Webinar registration is available via https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/762288938. Alternatively, persons may attend the workshop and view the webinar at the referenced location where staff will be present to accept comments.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Shirley Shields, Department of Environmental Protection at MS 3545, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, 32399-2400, [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Marc Harris, P.E., Department of Environmental Protection at MS 3545, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, 32399-2400, [phone], [e-mail], or obtain copies by going to http://dep.state.fl.us/water/rules_dr.htm

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE FROM THE CONTACT PERSON LISTED ABOVE.