Purpose


The purpose of this proposed rule is to establish an Environmental Resource General Permit to authorize the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) to dredge channels and canals within certain trafficsheds and secondary channel systems, located in Charlotte County, that have been determined to make a significant contribution to public boating traffic. The effect of this proposed rule would be to further implement WCIND’s “Regional Waterway Management System” (RWMS) within Southwest Florida, and thereby promote safer and more environmentally-friendly boating practices within the area. Qualifying projects would benefit from streamlined permitting reviews and a more certain regulatory outcome, and would receive a Letter of Consent for the use of state-owned submerged lands, if applicable. Similar general permits have been adopted for WCIND activities covered under the RWMS, within Lee (62-330.412, F.A.C.) and Manatee and Sarasota (62-330.410, F.A.C.) Counties.