Florida Administrative Code › 62 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 62 - Departmental › Chapter 62-672 - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR EARTHEN DAMS USED IN PHOSPHATE MINING AND BENEFICIATION OPERATIONS AND FOR DIKES USED IN PHOSPHOGYPSUM STACK SYSTEM IMPOUNDMENTS › Section 62-672.670 - Inspection and Maintenance Requirements for Perimeter Earthen Dikes

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) Personnel or agents of the department may
				accompany inspectors on any inspection required by this rule, or inspect
				perimeter earthen dikes at any other time which is reasonable under the
				circumstances involved. They may also examine any inspection reports and be
				furnished copies thereof upon request.
(2) A completed new perimeter earthen dike
				shall be thoroughly inspected prior to the placement of process water behind
				it. Spillways and water level control structures shall be certified by the
				design third-party engineer as meeting all specifications of the design, and
				degree of compaction of the fill shall also be certified. Legible photographs,
				either aerial or ground, may be used to document this initial inspection, but
				shall not in themselves constitute certification. A complete file describing
				the items inspected and their condition shall be maintained by the owner, and a
				copy shall be furnished to the department for approval prior to the deposition
				of process water behind the dike.
(3) All perimeter earthen dikes and water
				control structures shall be inspected weekly unless a critical condition listed
				in subsection  62-672.670(6),
				F.A.C., has been disclosed, in which event the defective area of the dike shall
				be inspected daily until corrective maintenance has cured such defect. Water
				level elevations and freeboard compliance shall be determined at least every
				twelve (12) hours. Piezometric water levels within the dike shall be measured
				quarterly if piezometers have been installed. The inspections shall be made by
				a qualified company employee or contractor employed or retained by the owner of
				the dike which employee or contractor has been trained in accordance with Rule
				 62-672.800, F.A.C. The findings
				of each inspection shall be recorded in a log which log shall be made available
				to the department upon request.
(4)
				When a critical condition listed in subsection
				 62-672.670(6),
				F.A.C., is suspected during an inspection, the inspector shall ensure that a
				technical representative of the dike owner is made aware of the condition
				immediately. If the existence of the critical condition is confirmed, the
				department shall be notified immediately. A written report of the condition and
				the actions proposed for its correction shall be made to the department within
				seven (7) days from the time existence of the critical condition is
				confirmed.
(5) Each perimeter
				earthen dike shall be inspected annually by a third-party engineer with
				experience in the field of construction and operation of perimeter earthen
				dikes. One copy of the report pertaining to such an inspection shall be
				furnished to the department, and the original report shall be retained by the
				owner. These inspections shall include:
(a)
				Analyses of seepage or other significant items shown on all aerial photographs
				of the dike which have been taken for any reason since the date of the last
				annual inspection.
(b) Condition of
				soil surfaces and top and slopes of the dike and in areas for fifty (50') feet
				downstream from the outside toe.
(c) Review of all periodic inspection reports
				to evaluate the effectiveness of maintenance which was done to the dike during
				the period since the last annual inspection.
(d) Examination and interpretation of data
				obtained from any instrumentation installed in the mass of the dike.
(e) Condition of spillway and water level
				control structures, including all conduits exiting the dike.
The annual inspection report shall include recommendations
				  and corrective measures taken. If corrective measures are not completed by the
				  time of annual submittal, then follow up inspection shall be conducted by the
				  third-party engineer with quarterly project reports submitted until completion
				  of all corrective measures.