28-27.008. General Minimum Standards

All development within the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern shall meet the following standards and criteria:

(1) The developer shall provide for the release of surface water runoff, collected or uncollected, in a manner approximating the natural, surface water flow regime of the area.

(2) The first floor or basement floor of all structures shall be constructed at least one (1) foot above the Regulatory Flood Level for the particular area.

(3) Treatment of storm-water runoff shall be provided by settling ponds, soil fixatives, control of non-point chemical pollutants, or the performance equivalent structures or systems when such runoff may contaminate surface or ground water resources.

(4) Except for roads, any nonpermeable surface greater than 20,000 square feet shall provide for release of surface runoff, collected or uncollected, in a manner approximating the natural surface water flow regime of the area.

(5) Soils exposed during site alteration shall be stabilized and retention ponds or performance equivalent structures or systems maintained in order to retain runoff and siltation on the construction site.

(6) Any altered site shall be revegetated and such revegetation shall be subsequently completed within 180 days following completion of a development. Revegetation shall be accomplished with pre-existing species or other suitable species except that undesirable exotic species shall not be replanted or propagated.

(7) Fill areas and related dredge or borrow ponds shall be aligned substantially in the direction of local surface water flows and shall be separated from other fill areas and ponds by areas of vegetation of comparable size. Dredge or borrow ponds shall provide for the release of storm waters as sheet flow from their downstream end and into areas of vegetation. Access roads to and between fill areas shall provide for the passage of water in a manner approximating the natural flow regime and designed to accommodate the 50 year storm. Fill areas and related ponds shall not substantially retain or divert the total flow.

(8) Man-made lakes, ponds, or other containment works shall be constructed with a maximum slope of 30 degrees to a depth of six feet of water. Whenever mineral extraction is completed in new quarries, shoreline sloping, revegetation, and contouring of soils or tailings shall be completed before abandonment. Existing quarry lakes shall be exempt from this provision, except that whenever any person carries out any activity defined as development or applies for a development permit, as defined herein, to develop any existing quarry lake area, these regulations shall apply.

(9) Development shall not detrimentally change the quantity of ground and surface water available for recharge to the Floridan Aquifer. A developer shall not cause storm water from the site to discharge or runoff into an existing sinkhole.

(10) The development shall not impair the water retention and filtering capacity of wetlands soils or vegetation.

(11) New drainage facilities shall release water in a manner approximating the natural local surface flow regime, through a spreader pond or performance equivalent structure or system, either on site or to a natural retention or natural filtration and flow area. New drainage facilities shall also maintain a ground water level sufficient to protect wetland vegetation through the use of weirs or performance equivalent structures or systems. Said facilities shall not retain, divert, or otherwise block or channel the naturally occurring flows in a strand or slough.

(12) Solid waste disposal sites shall meet all the requirements of this code.

(13) Site alteration shall be permitted only when such alteration will not cause siltation of wetlands or reduce the natural retention and filtering capabilities of wetlands.

(14) Ground water withdrawal shall comply with the standards and regulations of the Southwest Florida Water Management District or its successor agency.

(15) Placement of structures shall be consistent with sound floodplain management practices such as compliance with Flood District Disaster Protection Act of 1973.

Rulemaking Authority 380.05 FS. Law Implemented 380.05(8) FS. History–New 7-20-75, Formerly 22F-6.08, 27F-6.08, 27F-6.008, Amended 1-15-14.