FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2005
CONTACT: Cragin Mosteller, (850) 245-2112

DEP Amends Emergency Order for Hurricane Dennis

--Authorization covers six counties to continue expedited recovery--

TALLAHASSEE – Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Colleen M. Castille yesterday amended an Emergency Final Order for six of the counties impacted by Hurricane Dennis during the landfall of the storm along the Florida panhandle. The Order provides relief from some of the Department’s regulatory requirements to protect public health, minimize environmental hazards and accelerate restoration in areas damaged by the category three hurricane.

“Counties need relief so that communities can quickly repair damage and restore affected areas,” said DEP Secretary Castille. “By reducing regulatory process and increasing flexibility, affected communities will be able to recover from damages and restore critical services quickly.”

The 30-day emergency authorization applies to governments, businesses and property owners across Franklin, Wakulla, Bay, Gulf, Walton and Okaloosa counties. The Order allows immediate rebuilding of damaged structures without prior Department notification, expediting the repair of any damage to drinking water and wastewater facilities, along with cleanup of hurricane-generated debris and the restoration of natural areas such as dune systems, waterways and wetlands.

The amended emergency authorization will expire on October 7, 2005 unless modified or extended by further order. For a copy of the amended Emergency Final Order, visit http://www.floridadep.org/ .

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