The alternative wetland mitigation requirements will be available for qualifying mines extracting high quality peat, based on the Von Post Humification Scale and the pH scale, from freshwater herbaceous wetlands or historically freshwater herbaceous wetlands. In accordance with the statutory provisions, the rule will not apply where excavation would occur in the sand or rock underlying the peat, where mining is part of a larger plan of development, or if any portion of the proposed mining involves an Outstanding Florida Water. The alternative requirements will allow a percentage of the excavated wetlands to be replaced with open water under certain conditions. The proposed rules will not require design modifications to reduce or eliminate adverse impacts to herbaceous wetlands having a current condition score of less than 0.80, as verified by the Department in accordance with the Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method of Chapter 62-345, F.A.C. The proposed rules will require that the project be designed to avoid adverse impacts to water quality, offsite flooding, significant historic or archeological resources, and listed species or their habitats.