18-24.003. Application Procedures and Requirements

(1) Applications must be submitted in writing to:

Florida Forever Program

Office of Environmental Services

Mail Station 140

Department of Environmental Protection

3900 Commonwealth Boulevard

Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000

(2) When prepared, the Department shall accept electronic versions of required application information in a format designated by the Department. Information regarding electronic applications can be obtained by writing to the address above.

(3) All acquisition project applications shall include the following:

(a) One original and seventeen legible copies (or originals) of United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic quadrangle maps, on which the boundaries of the project are clearly delineated.

(b) One original and three legible copies of tax maps, overlain on aerials if available, with the boundaries of the project clearly delineated. If tax aerial overlays are not available, the sponsor of an application shall submit aerials and tax maps separately.

(c) Eighteen legible copies of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) county general highway maps on which the boundaries of the proposed acquisition are clearly delineated.

(d) One legible or electronic copy of the property appraiser’s tax identification card(s) with the tax assessed value and acreage of each parcel, description and value of improvements, ad valorem taxes assessed, and the names and addresses of each owner identified.

(e) A written statement from the applicant asserting that each owner has been contacted in compliance with Section 259.105(7)(b)2., F.S.

(f) Eighteen copies of a written description of the lands being proposed for acquisition, including all of the following:

1. A descriptive location of the project and the total amount of acreage being proposed for inclusion.

2. The general physical, natural resource, biological, hydrological, archaeological and historical characteristics of the project.

3. Any potential recreational activities or other public uses that can be accommodated by the project.

4. Any known threats or development plans that could harm or diminish the values of the project.

5. Local resolutions, if any, concerning the potential public acquisition of the project.

6. A clear statement detailing how the project meets criteria and furthers the goals and objectives outlined in Rules 18-24.0021 and 18-24.0022, F.A.C. For projects that are presumed to meet one or more of the following criteria, the applicant shall also provide, as appropriate, additional written information as follows:

a. For criterion in subsection 18-24.0021(2), F.A.C., the applicant shall clearly describe the ongoing governmental effort, including a description of the resources that the effort is attempting to restore, protect or develop. The applicant shall also describe the governmental entity or entities involved in the effort and their current and proposed levels of financial support to complete the effort.

b. For criterion in subsection 18-24.0021(3), F.A.C., the applicant shall identify the property under public ownership whose management will be enhanced or facilitated, and shall describe specifically how the acquisition project will enhance or facilitate the identified property’s management.

c. For criterion in subsection 18-24.0021(7), F.A.C., the applicant shall describe the imminent threats to significant natural attributes or recreational open space, and explain how existing, applicable environmental policies and regulations at the local, regional or state level cannot provide for the protection of these resources and related environmental services.

d. For criterion in subsection 18-24.0021(10), F.A.C., the applicant shall provide a written statement, signed by the landowner, indicating the landowner’s willingness to sell their property at 80 percent or less of the state’s appraised value.

e. For criterion in subsection 18-24.0021(11), F.A.C., the applicant shall provide a description of the specific alternatives to fee simple that are applicable to each ownership within the project and a brief description of any known activities or property rights proposed to be acquired by the state and those proposed to be retained by the property owner.

f. For criterion in subsection18-24.0021(12), F.A.C., the applicant shall provide written evidence of the specific agencies, organizations or private entities that will contribute to joint acquisition of the project and the commitments made by each agency, organization or private entity to participate in the partnership.

(g) The applicant must provide thirteen copies of any oversized or color documents presented as part of the application for consideration by the Council.

(4) Each acquisition project application shall, within 30 days of receipt, be reviewed by staff to verify sufficiency of information in accordance with this section. Incomplete applications shall be returned to the applicant, with a letter stating every deficiency, for completion and resubmission within 30 days of the date of the deficiency letter. If the information is not received by the deadline, the entire file will be returned to the applicant.

Rulemaking Authority 259.035(1), (4), 259.105(9), (18) FS. Law Implemented 259.035, 259.04, 259.041, 259.045, 259.07, 259.105 FS. History–New 7-17-01, Amended 5-1-10.