Florida Administrative Code › 62 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 62 - Departmental › Chapter 62-330 - ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PERMITTING › Section 62-330.631 - General Permit to Governmental Entities for Limited Environmental Restoration or Enhancement Activities

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) A
				general permit is granted to governmental entities to construct, operate,
				alter, or maintain projects for environmental restoration or enhancement,
				subject to the limitations and conditions of this section. For purposes of this
				rule, "environmental restoration and enhancement" means activities conducted to
				improve the habitat value of wetlands or surface waters for fish and wildlife
				by eliminating harmful drainage, improving water quality, preventing erosion,
				stabilizing eroding shorelines, planting wetland vegetation, removing spoil,
				removing exotic and nuisance vegetation, providing structural habitat, and
				restoring dredged holes to elevations before they were dredged. The following
				activities are authorized:
(a) Restoration of
				an eroding shoreline or the enhancement of a disturbed or altered shoreline by
				planting appropriate native vegetation in accordance with the following:
1. Preparing grades and contours for planting
				with no net addition or removal of material.
2. Plantings shall consist of native wetland
				plant species obtained from commercially-grown stock that is native to the
				geographic area of the project.
3.
				All invasive and exotic plant species that occur along the shoreline within the
				project area are removed in conjunction with the planting.
4. If temporary wave attenuation is needed to
				protect and ensure survivability of the plantings, turbidity curtains shall be
				installed and maintained immediately waterward of, and parallel to, the
				planting area, but must be removed within three months after completion of
				planting.
5. If permanent wave
				attenuation is required to maintain shoreline vegetation, an oyster reef or
				riprap breakwater is authorized to be constructed within tidal waters
				concurrent with the planting, provided that:
a. The breakwater shall not impede navigation
				or create a navigational hazard. The outer edge of the breakwater shall be
				located no more than 15 feet waterward of the mean high water line and have a
				top height of one foot or less above the mean high water elevation.
b. The breakwater shall be composed of riprap
				or natural oyster shell cultch such as clean oyster shell and fossilized oyster
				shell, or combination thereof. Oyster shell shall be packaged within
				biodegradable bags (e.g., coir fiber) or mesh bags, or securely attached to
				matting prior to placement in the water to prevent movement of shell out of the
				project area.
c. The breakwater
				shall be placed in units so that there is at least one opening measuring at
				least five feet in width located every 75 linear feet along the breakwater,
				with a minimum of one opening to allow the flow of water, and the passage of
				fish and aquatic wildlife.
d. If
				the breakwater and plantings are located in front of an existing seawall or
				bulkhead, placement of clean fill for the sole purpose of planting wetland
				vegetation is authorized, provided that stabilizing riprap or an oyster reef
				breakwater supports the fill at no more than a two horizontal to one vertical
				slope and the total area of fill is less than one
				acre.