The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is leading a statewide effort (referred to as CUPCon) to improve consistency in the consumptive use permitting programs implemented by the water management districts (WMDs). The CUPCon goals ...

 

WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS

South Florida Water Management District

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

40E-3.011Policy and Purpose

40E-3.021Definitions

40E-3.040Scope of Part I

40E-3.051Exemptions

40E-3.301Conditions for Issuance of Permits

40E-3.451Emergency Authorization

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is leading a statewide effort (referred to as CUPCon) to improve consistency in the consumptive use permitting programs implemented by the water management districts (WMDs). The CUPCon goals include: 1) making the consumptive use permitting program less confusing for applicants; 2) treating applicants equitably statewide; 3) providing consistent protection of the environment; 4) streamlining the process; and 5) incentivizing behavior that protect water resources.

SUMMARY: The proposed amendments delete references to repealed Chapter 40E-30, F.A.C., and Chapter 40E-20, F.A.C., which is proposed for repeal.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:  The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.

The proposed amendments are non-substantive and have no impact on small business.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The proposed amendments are non-substantive and do not meet the threshold.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 373.044, 373.113, 373.119, 373.171 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 373.019, 373.103(1), 373.106, 373.303, 373.306, 373.308, 373.309, 373.313, 373.314, 373.316, 373.319, 373.323(2), 373.326, 373.329, 373.333, 373.342 FS.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: January 9, 2014, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: South Florida Water Management District, B-1 Auditorium, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

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: South Florida Water Management District Clerk's Office, 1(800)432-2045, ext. 2087 or [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 IS: Steven Memberg, Water Use Policy Principal Scientist, South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406, 1(800)432-2045, ext. 2133 or [phone], email: [e-mail] or Jennifer Bokankowitz, Esq., South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406, 1(800)432-2045, ext. 2258 or [phone], email: [e-mail]. For procedural questions, contact Jan Sluth, CP, FRP, South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406, 1(800)432-2045, ext. 6299 or [phone], email: [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

40E-3.011 Policy and Purpose.

(1) The purpose of Chapter 40E-3, F.A.C., is to implement the duties and responsibilities of the South Florida Water Management District (District) under Part III, Chapter 373, F.S., and those responsibilities and duties delegated to the District by the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) to regulate the location, construction, repair, or abandonment of water wells and the licensing of water well contractors. It is the policy of the Governing Board that these rules are reasonably necessary to insure the protection and management of water resources and the health, safety, and general welfare of the people of this District.

(2) Additional District rules relating to water wells are found in Chapters 40E-5, (Artificial Recharge), and 40E-2, (Consumptive Use), and 40E-30, F.A.C. (General Permits for Wells).

Rulemaking Specific Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.171 FS. Law Implemented 373.103(1), 373.306, 373.308, 373.309, 373.313, 373.314, 373.316, 373.319, 373.323(2), 373.326, 373.329, 373.333, 373.342 FS. History–New 1-1-85, Amended 12-19-89, 3-16-05,_________.

 

40E-3.021 Definitions.

When used in this chapter:

(1) through (3) No change.

(4) “Consumptive Use Permit” or “Water Use Permit” means a Water Use Permit issued under Chapter 40E-2 or 40E-20, F.A.C.

(5) through (19) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.171 FS. Law Implemented 373.019, 373.106, 373.303, 373.306 FS. History–New 1-1-85, Amended 12-19-89, 3-16-05, 9-26-12,_________.

 

40E-3.040 Scope of Part I.

The rules in this part relate to the permitting requirements applicable to the construction, repair or abandonment of wells. Unless expressly exempt by statute or this rule, all wells must be permitted prior to construction, repair or abandonment and must be constructed, repaired or abandoned by a licensed water well contractor. This exemption does not relieve the applicant from obtaining permits which may be required under Chapter 40E-2 (Consumptive Use), Chapter 40E-4 (Surface Water Management), Chapter 40E-20 (General Water Use Permits) or Chapter 40E-40 (General Surface Water Management Permits).

Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.171 FS. Law Implemented 373.303, 373.308, 373.309, 373.316, 373.326, 373.342 FS. History–New 1-1-85, Amended_________.

 

40E-3.051 Exemptions.

(1) The following wells are exempt from Rule 40E-3.041, F.A.C.:

(a) through (d) No change.

(e) In addition, a well which satisfies the requirements of Chapter 40E-30, F.A.C., is exempt from the provisions of Rules 40E-3.301, 40E-3.321, 40E-3.411, 40E-3.501, 40E-3.512, and 40E-3.351, F.A.C.

(2) These exemptions do not relieve the applicant from obtaining permits which may be required under Chapter 40E-2 (Consumptive Use), Chapter 40E-4 (Environmental Resource Permits), Chapter 40E-20 (General Water Use Permits) or Chapter 40E-40 (Environmental Resource Standard General Permits), F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.171 FS. Law Implemented 373.303, 373.308, 373.309, 373.313, 373.316, 373.326 FS. History–New 1-1-85, Amended 3-16-05,_________.

 

40E-3.301 Conditions for Issuance of Permits.

(1) No change.

(2) A water use permit, if applicable, under Chapter 40E-2 or 40E-20, F.A.C., must have already been obtained. If a water use permit has not been obtained, an application for a consumptive use permit must be submitted concurrently with the well construction application and must also be approved by the District prior to issuance of the well construction permit.

(3) through (5) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.171 FS. Law Implemented 373.103, 373.306, 373.308, 373.309, 373.313, 373.342 FS. History–New 1-1-85, Amended 3-16-05,_________.

 

40E-3.451 Emergency Authorization.

(1) No change.

(2) Emergency permits may be applied for and issued orally. Mere carelessness or lack of planning on the part of the applicant, contractor or driller will not constitute sufficient cause for the issuance of an emergency permit. If Chapter 40E-2 or 40E-20, F.A.C., also applies to the well, an emergency permit may be issued only if, in addition to qualifying under subsection (1) above, an application for a consumptive use permit has been filed with the District. Issuance of an emergency permit will not be evidence of any entitlement to the consumptive use permit.

(3) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.119, 373.171 FS. Law Implemented 373.308, 373.309, 373.313, 373.326, 373.342 FS. History–New 1-1-85, Amended 7-2-98, 3-16-05,_________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Maria C. Clemente, P.E., Water Use Bureau Chief, Regulation Division

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: South Florida Water Management District Governing Board

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: November 14, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: July 20, 2012 and Notice of Additional Workshops on April 30, 2013