62-331.216. General Permit for Bank Stabilization

(1) This general permit authorizes the following activities:

(a) Bank stabilization activities necessary for erosion control or prevention, such as vegetative stabilization, bioengineering, sills, rip rap, revetment, gabion baskets, stream barbs, and bulkheads, or combinations of bank stabilization techniques, provided the activity meets all of the following criteria:

1. No material is placed in excess of the minimum needed for erosion protection;

2. The activity is no more than 500 feet in length along the bank, unless the Agency waives this criterion by making a written determination concluding that the activity will result in no more than minimal adverse environmental effects (an exception is for bulkheads ‒ the Agency cannot issue a waiver for a bulkhead that is greater than 1,000 feet in length along the bank);

3. The activity will not exceed an average of one cubic yard per running foot, as measured along the length of the treated bank, below the plane of the mean or ordinary high water line, unless the Agency waives this criterion by making a written determination concluding that the activity will result in no more than minimal adverse environmental effects;

4. The activity does not involve dredging or filling into special aquatic sites, unless the Agency waives this criterion by making a written determination concluding that the activity will result in no more than minimal adverse environmental effects;

5. No material is of a type, or is placed in any location, or in any manner, that will impair surface water flow into or out of any state-assumed water;

6. No material is placed in a manner that will be eroded by normal or expected high flows (properly anchored native trees and treetops may be used in low energy areas);

7. Native plants appropriate for current site conditions, including salinity, must be used for bioengineering or vegetative bank stabilization;

8. The activity is not a stream channelization activity; and

9. The activity must be properly maintained, which may require repairing it after severe storms or erosion events.

(b) Maintenance and repair of the bank stabilization activities if they require authorization.

(c) Temporary structures, fills, and work, including the use of temporary mats, necessary to construct the bank stabilization activity.

1. Appropriate measures must be taken to maintain normal downstream flows and minimize flooding to the maximum extent practicable, when temporary structures, work, and fill [including cofferdams] are necessary for construction activities, access fills, or dewatering of construction sites.

2. Temporary fills must consist of materials, and be placed in a manner, that will not be eroded by expected high flows or stormwater.

3. After construction, temporary fills must be removed in their entirety and the affected areas returned to pre-construction elevations.

4. The areas affected by temporary fills must be revegetated.

(2) The permittee must submit a notice of intent to use this general permit to the Agency prior to commencing the activity if the bank stabilization activity:

(a) Involves dredging or filling into special aquatic sites;

(b) Is in excess of 500 feet in length;

(c) Will involve filling greater than an average of one cubic yard per running foot as measured along the length of the treated bank, below the plane of the mean or ordinary high water line;

or

(d) The project is in the following rivers, creeks, and their tributaries:

1. Escambia River

2. Yellow River

3. Shoal River

4. Choctawhatchee River

5. Chipola River

6. Apalachicola River

7. Ochlockonee River

8. Santa Fe River

9. New River (Bradford and Union County line)

10. Econfina Creek.

Editor notes: The effective date of the rule will be the effective date of assumption, which is the date identified by EPA as published in the Federal Register §373.4146, F.S.

Rulemaking Authority 373.026(7), 373.043, 373.118(1), 373.4131, 373.414(9), 373.4145, 373.4146(2), 403.805(1) FS. Law Implemented 373.118, 373.129, 373.136, 373.413, 373.4131, 373.414, 373.4145, 373.4146, 373.416, 373.422, 373.423, 373.429 FS. History–New 12-22-20.