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JACKSONVILLE - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP)
Northeast District Office today hosted a workshop for members of the Florida
Marine Contractors Association (FMCA) and local environmental consultants. The
workshop is the first in a series of workshops to marine contractors. The
workshop, which is offered at no-cost, provides an accessible forum in which
attendees can easily obtain 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 SLERP program regulates activities in wetlands, 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 functions. Among other activities, this covers the construction of
seawalls, installation of riprap and other shoreline stabilization structures to
protect Florida’s fragile waterways, the beach and dune system, and upland
property along the shoreline. Additionally, the state owns the submerged lands
on which many of these structures are built. Therefore, prior to construction,
permits from DEP to build a seawall or install riprap, as well as authorization
from DEP to use the state’s submerged lands may be necessary.
“We are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and saving
taxpayer money – the workshop is an example of that commitment,” said DEP
Northeast District Director Greg Strong. “Quite simply, our goal with this is to
continue to assist the contractors in finding innovative and environmentally
beneficial solutions, such as natural shorelines, for their projects.”
The Department believes that educating and assisting the industry about the
SLERP program will increase environmental compliance and protection in this
important area. This workshop will help marine contractors and consultants who
assist property owners through the permitting process. This will reduce
processing time by minimizing the need for additional information, thus making
the permitting process quicker, more effective and efficient, ultimately saving
the property owner time and money.
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, visit:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/northeast/. | 
