Florida Administrative Code › 62 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 62B - Beaches and Coastal Systems › Chapter 62B-33 - RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR COASTAL CONSTRUCTION AND EXCAVATION (PERMITS FOR CONSTRUCTION SEAWARD OF THE COASTAL CONSTRUCTION CONTROL LINE AND FIFTY-FOOT SETBACK) › Section 62B-33.0051 - Coastal Armoring and Related Structures

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) General Armoring Criteria. In determining
				the appropriate means to protect existing private structures and public
				infrastructure from damage from frequent coastal storms, applicants should be
				aware that armoring may not be the only option for providing protection.
				Applicants are encouraged to evaluate other protection methods such as
				foundation modification, structure relocation, and dune restoration. If
				armoring (other than through the use of geotextile containers as the core of a
				reconstructed dune, which are governed exclusively by Chapter 62B-56, F.A.C.),
				is the selected option, the following siting, design, and construction criteria
				shall apply in order to minimize potential adverse impacts to the beach and
				dune system:
(a) Construction of armoring
				shall be authorized under the following conditions:
1. The proposed armoring is for the
				protection of an eligible structure; and,
2. The structure to be protected is
				vulnerable. The determination of vulnerability will be made utilizing the dune
				erosion model contained in the report entitled "Erosion due to High Frequency
				Storm Events, " by the University of Florida, dated November 22, 1995, which is
				incorporated herein by reference. Where direct application of the model shows
				that the structure to be protected is not vulnerable, but the construction
				otherwise meets the requirements of this rule chapter, an applicant may further
				demonstrate vulnerability by taking into account the effects of shoreline
				change rates, natural physical features, and existing manmade structures in
				accordance with the following circumstances:
a. If it is projected that the eligible
				structure will become vulnerable at some future date which falls within the
				authorized time limit of a permit, then the permit shall authorize the
				construction of armoring once the anticipated site condition changes occur and
				the structure becomes vulnerable. The permit shall allow additional time to
				allow for construction operations and appropriate timing to avoid construction
				during the marine turtle nesting season.
b. Where there are multiple eligible
				structures in close proximity to one another, but not all of the structures are
				vulnerable and shoreline trends indicate continued erosion stress on the
				shoreline, and the Department determines through the use of numerical modeling
				and engineering analysis that the construction of armoring for only the
				vulnerable structures would cause the adjacent structures to become vulnerable
				following installation of the armoring, then all the eligible structures are
				considered vulnerable.
c. Where an
				eligible structure is located on a dune or escarpment and the dune erosion
				model predicts that the erosion from a 15-year return interval storm would fall
				landward of the existing dune crest or escarpment and seaward of the eligible
				structure, and where the applicant has provided the Department appropriate
				geotechnical analysis by a qualified professional engineer specialized in
				geotechnical or foundation engineering which demonstrates that the structure
				would be in danger of imminent collapse following the occurrence of erosion
				from a 15-year return interval storm. Imminent collapse means the structure's
				foundation will fail due to its own weight under normal conditions, resulting
				in structural damage to the supported structure.
d. Where an applicant demonstrates to the
				Department that another site specific circumstance exists other than listed in
				sub-subparagraphs  62B-33.0051(1)(a) 
				2.a. through c., F.A.C., such that the eligible structure is vulnerable;
				or
3. A gap exists, that
				does not exceed 250 feet, between a line of rigid coastal armoring that is
				continuous on both sides of the unarmored property. Such adjacent armoring
				shall not be deteriorated, dilapidated, or damaged to such a degree that it no
				longer provides adequate protection to the upland property. The top of the
				adjacent armoring must be at or above the still water level, including setup,
				for the design storm of a 15-year return interval storm plus the breaking wave
				calculated at its highest achievable level based on the maximum eroded beach
				profile and highest surge level combination. The adjacent armoring must be
				stable under the design storm of 15-year return interval storm, including
				maximum localized scour with adequate penetration, and must have sufficient
				continuity or return walls to prevent upland erosion and flooding under the
				design storm of 15-year return interval storm. Such installation shall:
a. Be sited no farther seaward than the
				adjacent armoring;
b. Close the gap
				between the adjacent armoring;
c.
				Avoid significant adverse impacts to marine turtles;
d. Not exceed the highest level of protection
				provided by the adjoining walls; and,
e. Comply with the requirements of Section
				 161.053,
				F.S.
4. The armoring
				shall not result in a loss of public access along the beach without providing
				alternative public access;
5. The
				construction will not result in a significant adverse
				impact.