Purpose


The purpose and effect of this rulemaking is to amend rules of the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) consistent with section 373.4131, F.S., which requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in coordination with the five water management districts (WMDs) to develop statewide environmental resource permit (ERP) rules. These rules are to rely primarily upon existing rules of DEP and the WMDs, but may be revised as necessary to achieve a more consistent, effective, and streamlined approach in the state’s ERP program. To implement section 373.4131, F.S., DEP has initiated rulemaking to revise Chapter 62-330, F.A.C. DEP also intends to incorporate by reference documents that will be known as an Applicant’s Handbook (AH). Two volumes of the AH will apply in each WMD: (1) one volume that will include general and environmental criteria and procedures and forms, which volume will apply statewide (AH Volume I); and (2) a second volume, specific to, and adopted by, the WMD that will set forth design and performance standards for stormwater quality and quantity, and include drainage basin designations and basin-specific rules within the WMD. DEP’s proposed rulemaking for Chapter 62-330, F.A.C., will necessitate changes to the District’s Chapter 40B-1, F.A.C.