As required by Section 373.414(6)(e) of the Florida Statutes, the Department proposes to adopt a new Chapter 62-348 of the Florida Administrative Code. The proposed rule will apply to mining of predominantly high-quality peat that is being used by Florida’s horticultural industry in products that incorporate other renewable or recyclable materials to replace or reduce the use of natural peat. The proposed rules are intended to provide alternative permitting and mitigation requirements when such mining is proposed in herbaceous and historically herbaceous wetlands.