Florida Administrative Code › 62 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 62 - Departmental › Chapter 62-345 - UNIFORM MITIGATION ASSESSMENT METHOD › Section 62-345.400 - Qualitative Characterization - Part I

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
An impact or mitigation assessment area must be described
				  with sufficient detail to provide a frame of reference for the type of
				  community being evaluated and to identify the functions that will be evaluated.
				  When an assessment area is an upland proposed as mitigation, functions must be
				  related to the benefits provided by that upland to fish and wildlife of
				  associated wetlands or other surface waters. Information for each assessment
				  area must be sufficient to identify the functions beneficial to fish and
				  wildlife and their habitat that are characteristic of the assessment area's
				  native community type, based on currently available information, such as aerial
				  photographs, topographic maps, geographic information system data and maps,
				  site visits, scientific articles, journals, other professional reports, field
				  verification when needed, and reasonable scientific judgment. For artificial
				  systems, such as borrow pits, ditches and canals, and for altered systems,
				  refer to the native community type it most closely resembles. The information
				  provided by the applicant for each assessment area must address the following,
				  as applicable:
(1) Special water
				classifications, such as whether the area is in an Outstanding Florida Water,
				an Aquatic Preserve, a Class II water approved, restricted, conditionally
				approved, conditionally restricted for shellfish harvesting, or an Area of
				Critical State Concern;
(2)
				Significant nearby features that might affect the values of the functions
				provided by the assessment area, such as areas with regionally significant
				ecological resources or habitats (national or state parks, forests, or
				reserves; Outstanding National Resource Waters and associated watershed;
				Outstanding Florida Waters and associated watershed; other conservation areas),
				major industry, or commercial airport;
(3) Assessment area size;
(4) Geographic relationship and hydrologic
				connection between the assessment area and any contiguous wetland or other
				surface waters, or uplands, as applicable;
(5) Classification of the assessment area's
				native community type, considering past alterations that affect the
				classification. Classification shall be based on Florida Land Use, Cover and
				Form Classification System (1999) (FLUCC) codes, which is incorporated by
				reference herein. In addition, the applicant may further classify the
				assessment area using the 26 Communities of Florida, Soils Conservation Service
				(February 1981), which is incorporated by reference herein; A Hydrogeomorphic
				Classification for Wetlands, Wetland Research Program Technical Report
				WRP-DE-4, Mark M. Brinson (August 1993), which is incorporated by reference
				herein; or other sources that, based on reasonable scientific judgment,
				describe the natural communities in Florida;
(6) Uniqueness when considering the relative
				rarity of the wetland or other surface water and floral and faunal components,
				including listed species, on the assessment area in relation to the surrounding
				regional landscape;
(7) Functions
				performed by the assessment area's native community type. Functions to be
				considered are: providing cover, substrate, and refuge; breeding, nesting,
				denning, and nursery areas; corridors for wildlife movement; food chain
				support; and natural water storage, natural flow attenuation, and water quality
				improvement, which enhances fish, wildlife, and listed species
				utilization;
(8) Anticipated
				wildlife utilization and type of use (feeding, breeding, nesting, resting, or
				denning), and applicable listing classifications (threatened, endangered, or
				species of special concern as defined by Rules
				 68A-27.003,
				 68A-27.004 and
				 68A-27.005, F.A.C.). The list
				developed for the assessment area need not include all species which use the
				area, but must include all listed species in addition to those species that are
				characteristic of the native community type, considering the size and
				geographic location of the assessment area. Generally, wildlife surveys will
				not be required. The need for a wildlife survey will be determined by the
				likelihood that the site is used by listed species, considering site
				characteristics and the range and habitat needs of such species, and whether
				the proposed system will impact that use;
(9) Whether any portion of the assessment
				area has been previously used as mitigation for a prior issued permit; and,
(10) Any additional information
				that is needed to accurately characterize the ecological values of the
				assessment area and functions provided.
Rulemaking Authority
					 373.026(7),
					 373.043,
					 373.414(9),
					 (18) FS. Law Implemented
					 373.414(18)
					 FS.
New 2-2-04, Amended
					 9-12-07.