62-330.310. Operation and Maintenance

(1) The permit authorizing construction or alteration must be converted to the operation and maintenance phase once the construction or alteration has been completed. The construction or alteration authorized under an individual permit must be certified to be in compliance with the permit before conversion of the permit to the operation and maintenance phase. Procedures for converting the permit to the operation and maintenance phase, and transferring the permit to the perpetual operation and maintenance entity are described in sections 12 of Volume I.

(2) If the permittee is also the operation and maintenance entity or if a separate entity is to operate and maintain the project, the entity must demonstrate that it will have the financial, legal, and administrative capability to perform operation and maintenance, as described in sections 12.1 through 12.3.5 of Volume I. Transfer of the permit to the operation and maintenance entity that was approved as part of the permit does not require a permit modification.

(3) If the permittee desires to change or add operation and maintenance entities after the permit is issued, or to allow for multiple entities to operate portions of the project, a permit modification under Rule 62-330.315, F.A.C., must be requested and approved before transfer of the permit to the new entity or entities. Such permit modification request must include a demonstration that the new entity or entities meet the requirements of subsection (2), above. If an interdependent system will have multiple operation and maintenance entities, that modification request must also demonstrate that each entity that will operate and maintain an interdependent part of the system has the capability to operate and maintain all parts of the system necessary to remain in compliance with all conditions of the permit.

(4)(a) For individual permits NOT associated with an individual, private single-family dwelling unit, duplex, triplex, or quadruplex:

1. Upon completion of construction, and following the general conditions in paragraphs 62-330.350(1)(f) and (g), F.A.C., the permittee shall submit both of the following to the permitting Agency:

a. Form 62-330.310(1), “As-Built Certification and Request for Conversion to Operation Phase,” which is incorporated by reference herein (June 1, 2018) (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09384); and

b. Form 62-330.310(2), “Request for Transfer of Environmental Resource Permit to the Perpetual Operation and Maintenance Entity,” which is incorporated by reference herein (June 28, 2024) (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-15357).

2. The permit will be converted to the operation and maintenance phase upon a certification by the permittee and concurrence by the Agency that the entire project, or an independent portion of the project, has been constructed in compliance with the permit.

3. The permit will be transferred to the operation and maintenance entity once the Agency has verified that the entity meets the requirements of section 12.3 of Volume I, all applicable operation and maintenance documents have been recorded in accordance with sections 12.3.4 and 12.3.5 of Volume I, and the entity has accepted responsibility for operation and maintenance of the project or independent portion of the project. The entity is required to sign Form 62-330.310(2), except when the operation and maintenance entity has been accepted at the time of issuance of the permit for the construction phase, or as part of a permit modification.

(b) For individual permits for an individual, private single family dwelling unit, duplex, triplex, or quadruplex, the permit will automatically convert to the operation and maintenance phase upon completion of construction and the Agency’s receipt from the permittee, in accordance with the general conditions in paragraph 62-330.350(1)(f), F.A.C., of a completed Form 62-330.310(3), “Construction Completion and Inspection Certification for Activities Associated with a Private Single-Family Dwelling Unit,” (June 1, 2018) (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09386), which is incorporated by reference herein, certifying that the project was constructed in accordance with the permit.

(c) Copies of the above forms may be obtained from the Agency, as described in subsection 62-330.010(5), F.A.C.

(5) Projects authorized under a general permit shall, upon completion, be operated and maintained in perpetuity by the permittee and subsequent owners of the land on which the project is located.

(6) The operation and maintenance entity or entities shall remain liable for compliance with the terms of the permit in perpetuity, unless the permit is transferred in accordance with Rule 62-330.340, F.A.C., or the permit is modified in accordance with subsection (3), above.

(7)(a) The operation phase of mining activities subject to the land reclamation requirements of Chapter 378, F.S., shall terminate, without the need to apply for abandonment of the permit, after the mine, or its subunits as applicable:

1. Has been successfully reclaimed in accordance with Chapter 378, F.S., other than lands disturbed by mining operations that are not subject to the requirements of Chapter 378, F.S.;

2. Has met all success requirements of the individual permit issued under Part IV of Chapter 373, F.S.; when the construction phase of the permit includes all phases of construction, abandonment, reclamation, and final success determination over reclaimed lands; and

3. Does not contain components that require long-term operation or maintenance, such as: stormwater management systems; achievement of mitigation success criteria; work in conservation easements requiring a permit under this chapter; state-owned submerged lands authorizations; dams; above-grade impoundments; works; water control structures; erosion and sedimentation controls; or dewatering pits.

(b) If a mine is already operating under an operation and maintenance phase of an individual permit, such operation and maintenance phase shall be allowed to terminate upon successful completion of all phases of reclamation and receipt of final success determinations by the Agency over lands reclaimed in accordance with the rules adopted pursuant to Chapter 378, F.S.

Rulemaking Authority 373.026(7), 373.043, 373.118, 373.4131, 373.4145, 373.416, 373.418, 403.805(1) FS. Law Implemented 373.026, 373.118, 373.4131, 373.4141, 373.416, 373.419, 373.426, 373.429, 403.031(14)-(18), 403.031(21), 668.003, 668.004, 668.50 FS. History—New 10-1-13, Amended 6-1-18, 6-28-24.