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JACKSONVILLE — The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP)
Northeast District Office today hosted the third workshop in a new series designed to provide
environmental compliance assistance to Florida's marine construction industry. The workshops, which
are free and open to the public, provide an accessible forum in which attendees can easily obtain
helpful information about Department rules, project requirements and expectations, as well as the
permitting process associated with the DEP's Submerged Lands and Environmental Resource Permitting
(SLERP) program.
The two workshops were created to help marine contractors and consultants more easily navigate
the permitting process. A primary goal of the first workshop was to reduce the processing time for
applications by identifying information needs upfront, which minimizes the need for additional
information and reduces unnecessary time delays. This makes the permitting process faster, more
effective and efficient and ultimately saves the property owner time and money. The second workshop
focused specifically on the requirements that apply to dredging projects. The workshop held today
focused on rules and regulations that apply to dock construction and permitting a topic of
particular interest for the Florida Marine Contractors Association (FMCA) and local environmental
consultants.
DEP had specialists on hand at the meeting to cover a wide range of topics from how to properly
complete permit applications, to preferred evaluation methodologies within environmentally sensitive
areas and what studies may be needed (such as grain size analysis, chemistry, flushing, submerged
aquatic vegetation, etc.) for a variety of circumstances.
"These workshops have proven to be very helpful as they provide an additional opportunity for our
team to work directly with consultants and dock builders, answer questions and offer assistance,"
said DEP Northeast District Director Greg Strong. "Together we can achieve a higher rate of
compliance and move projects through our review process in a much more efficient manner."
By educating and assisting the industry about the SLERP program through these workshops, DEP
hopes to increase environmental compliance and protection. It is essential that all applicants
understand what rules apply to their particular projects. For example, if an activity is located
within an Aquatic Preserve, areas that have been afforded special protections because of their
unique ecological value, specific rules and regulations exist to maintain the natural or existing
conditions within these environmentally sensitive systems.
The SLERP program regulates activities in wetlands and surface waters, such as construction
dredging and filling. The program also regulates stormwater and surface water management systems in
uplands which can prevent flooding and provide other environmental benefits. Among other activities,
this covers the construction of seawalls, the installation of riprap and other shoreline
stabilization structures to protect Florida's fragile waterways, the beach and dune system and
upland property along shorelines. Additionally, the state owns the submerged lands on which many of
these structures are built. Therefore, prior to the commencement of any dredge activity or
construction of structures, such as docks, over surface waters, regulatory permits from DEP to
dredge, as well as authorization from DEP to use the state's submerged lands, may be necessary.
Workshops are planned on an ongoing basis. Objectives of the initiative include:
- Providing updates on rules and regulations and other useful information;
- Improving the level of understanding regarding various environmental issues;
- Enhancing communications between our office and the industry; and
- Developing a partnership with the FMCA.
For more information about DEP's Compliance Assistance Program, and the dates, locations and
registration information for the workshops, please visit:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/northeast.
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2012 State of Florida