Purpose


The Department proposes to amend an existing noticed general environmental resource permit under Part IV of Chapter 373, F.S., for boat ramps and accessory docks. The amendments will conform the general permit with the requirements of Section 373.118(5), F.S. (as amended by Chapter 2005-158, Laws of Florida), including authorizing certain upland improvements associated with a boat ramp facility that is constructed, operated, and maintained by a governmental entity, provided the ramp and associated facilities remain open to the general public for the life of the facility. The amendments also will make the general permit more useable by expanding the geographical area where boat ramps can be constructed, altered, operated, and maintained. A Notice of Development of Rulemaking was originally published on August 5, 2005, in the Department’s Internet noticing site at www.dep.state.fl.us/. Nine public workshops were noticed and held in 2006 through 2007. Because the last workshop notice was published over one year ago, the Department is re-noticing this Notice of Rule Development to provide notice to the public that the Department is moving forward with this rulemaking.