To develop amendments to improve clarity and ensure consistent application of the rule and forms for public and staff.

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:
62-345.100Intent and Scope
62-345.200Definitions
62-345.300Assessment Method Overview and Guidance
62-345.400Qualitative Characterization - Part I
62-345.500Assessment and Scoring - Part II
62-345.600Time Lag, Risk, and Mitigation Determination
62-345.900Forms
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To develop amendments to improve clarity and ensure consistent application of the rule and forms for public and staff.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Although revisions to enhance clarification and consistency will be undertaken throughout the rule and on required forms, specific examples of subjects to be addressed include application of the method to wetland and upland assessment areas where preservation as mitigation is proposed, providing a revised method for ensuring that equal weighting and evaluation is used when calculating the preservation adjustment factor, and clarifying application of the method for assessment areas that have been artificially created or significantly altered from the historic or natural condition. Guidance will also be provided to elucidate time-lag and risk factor determination and to assist in the designation and classification of Florida’s native community types.
In addition, clarification and guidance will be provided in application of the method to quantitative assessment of Location and Landscape Support values, assessment of wetland functions as provided by surrounding upland communities, and in the evaluation of contributions of the assessment area to receiving waterbodies and wetlands. Application of the method to benthic communities will also be clarified to provide specific guidance and criteria for assessment of seagrass, hardbottom, and other submerged communities.
Furthermore, Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method forms will be improved to better track steps and processes outlined by rule language and to facilitate long-term tracking of wetland functional losses and gains.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 373.026(7), 373.043, 373.414(9), 373.414(18) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 373.414(18) FS.
A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: June 26, 2013, 1:00 p.m. (EST)
PLACE: 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 via https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/452942786.
Alternatively, persons may view the webinar at the following location where staff will be present to accept comments: Department of Environmental Protection, Bob Martinez Bldg., Room 609, 2600 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399.
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: Mary VanTassel at [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: John Humphreys, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Submerged Lands and Environmental Resources Coordination Program, 2600 Blair Stone Rd., MS 2500, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400, [phone]; [e-mail]. Further information and updates on this rule also may be obtained from the Department’s Web Site at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/rules_dr.htm#erp. (OGC No. 13-0913)
THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE.