Opinion ID: 1728529
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern. [7]

Text: The Administration Commission adopted Chapter 22F-5, Florida Administrative Code, on July 16, 1974, which rule designated the Green Swamp area of critical state concern [8] and adopted principles for guiding development related thereto. After hearings on proposed land development regulations for the area, the Administration Commission on June 17, 1975, adopted amended land development regulations. Subsequent to that date a challenge to the land development regulations was filed but was denied by a hearing officer on June 27, 1975. On June 30, 1975, the land development regulations were filed with the Secretary of State as Chapters 22F-6 and 22F-7, Florida Administrative Code. However, it was brought to the attention of the Administration Commission that Section 120.54(11), Florida Statutes (1975), which provides that regulations are effective twenty days after they are filed, might preclude the land development regulations from becoming effective within twelve months of adoption of the rule designating the area of critical state concern as mandated by Section 380.05(12), Florida Statutes (1975). Apprehensive concerning the effect of Section 120.54(11) upon the efficacy of the regulations, the Administration Commission met on July 15, 1975, declared an emergency pursuant to Section 120.54(8)(a), Florida Statutes (1975), and approved land development regulations identical to Chapters 22F-6 and 22F-7. These regulations were filed as emergency rule Chapters 22 FER-75-1 through 30, Florida Administrative Code. Individual and corporate parties to the rulemaking proceedings petitioned the district court for review of the described final agency rulemaking action. Although the petitioners attacked the land development regulations on constitutional and several statutory grounds, the district court disposed of the case on a single statutory issue and expressly reached none other. The court held that the emergency rules adopting the land development regulations were not effective because there was no demonstrated immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare as required by Section 120.54(8)(a). It concluded further that the land development regulations adopted as Chapters 22F-6 and 22F-7 did not become effective within the time imposed by Section 380.05(12) and, therefore, the designation made by Chapter 22F-5 terminated. On petition for rehearing the Administration Commission raised for the first time the issue of the intervening rule challenge under Section 120.54(3). However, the court declined to consider the issue because of Florida Appellate Rule 3.14(b) and because of its decision in Cross Key Waterways, Inc. v. Askew, supra, holding unconstitutional the provision by Section 380.05(1) for designation of areas of critical state concern through use of the criteria stated in Section 380.05(2)(a) and (b). Thus, the fundamental constitutional ground avoided in the principal opinion was the basis for disposition of the case on rehearing.