TALLAHASSEE – To protect public health and safety, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Deputy Secretary of Regulatory Programs Mimi Drew today signed an Emergency Final Order in response to Tropical Storm Fay. The Order provides relief from some of the Department’s regulatory requirements to minimize environmental hazards and accelerate restoration in areas damaged by the storm.

“The emergency authorization allows repair and restoration to begin immediately in the affected areas, bringing faster relief to the communities and residents affected by Tropical Storm Fay,” said DEP Deputy Secretary Drew. “By issuing the Order, DEP is reducing regulatory process and providing flexibility for restoring services quickly in this time of critical need.”

The 60-day emergency authorization applies to governments, businesses and property owners across affected counties, allowing immediate rebuilding of damaged structures without prior Department notification. The Order will expedite the repair of damage to drinking water and wastewater facilities, along with cleanup of tropical storm-generated debris and the restoration of natural areas such as dune systems, waterways and wetlands.

The emergency authorization currently covers hurricane recovery activities for:

• Environmental Resource Permitting (wetlands) in Brevard, Volusia, Glades, Duval, Nassau, Flagler and St. Johns counties;
• Beaches and Coastal Systems in St. Johns County from R-87 (South Ponte Vedra) to R-117 (Vilano) and from R-200 (Summer Haven) to R-209 (Flagler/St. Johns County Line);
• Water and Wastewater Plants and Collection and Distribution Systems in St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Okeechobee, Volusia, Brevard, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns Counties; and
• Waste Management (debris staging areas) in all counties.

Other areas may be added to the Order as the storm progresses westward across the state. The order will expire on October 15, 2008. Extensions may be granted if contractors or supplies are not available.

Field authorizations will be provided to replace destroyed structures; alter mangroves; restore uplands, wetlands and submerged lands and for other DEP-authorized activities not specified in the Order.

Visit www.dep.state.fl.us to view the Emergency Final Order [PDF - 732 KB] and for more information on Tropical Storm Fay.

TALLAHASSEE – As part of an ongoing commitment to improve services to the public and reduce burdensome paperwork and wait time, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has expanded the existing online self-certification process for certain small, private single-family docks. Now in addition to the state authorization, the public can receive authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the form of a Self-Certification State Programmatic General Permit (SPGP) or receive immediate confirmation that a qualifying proposed single-family structure is exempt from permit requirements.

“The Department has expanded the online single- family dock self-certification process to enable the public to obtain both federal and state authorizations electronically at one time,” said DEP Deputy Secretary Mimi Drew. “Having applications available electronically is one way the agency is furthering our commitment to improving customer service and expanding online access to information.”

The application can be used only one time per parcel of land and cannot be used in environmentally sensitive areas such as manatee protection zones, some aquatic preserves, and the Florida Keys. The application must receive a state self-certification authorization to be eligible for the federal authorization.

To receive an exemption letter through self-certification, users log into the system, type in their address and identify the location of the proposed dock using provided GIS mapping software and aerial photography. Once the location is identified, the system presents the user with the appropriate state building criteria. When the user agrees to build in accordance with the dock criteria, a certification is emailed to the user, which must be printed out and displayed on the dock during construction. Then, if available in the indicated location, the user can proceed to the federal section, review and agree to follow the appropriate federal criteria, and receive a SPGP certification by email as well. DEP will continue to inspect single-family docks statewide for compliance.

To report illegal dock construction contact the appropriate DEP District Regulatory Office as shown at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/dist/default.htm.

For more information on environmental resource permitting, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/erp/index.htm. To log into the self-certification Web site, visit http://appprod.dep.state.fl.us/erppa/.

PONCE INLET – The Department, together with the Clean Boating Partnership, recognized the Harbour Village Marina in Volusia County, as the 169th member of the Florida Clean Marina Program on Monday. With the addition of Harbour Village Marina, the state has now designated a total of 172 Clean Marinas, 29 Clean Boatyards and four Clean Marine Retailers.

“DEP is excited to welcome Harbour Village to the Florida Clean Marina Program,” said DEP Central District Director Vivian Garfein. “Florida’s Clean Marinas play an important part in preserving our waterways by taking steps to reduce waste, prevent pollution and protect the marine resources that play such a large role in Florida’s economy.”

Florida Clean Marina Program facilities are required to meet a variety of best management practices to receive designation. These practices include, but are not limited to, properly storing and disposing of used oil, using fertilizers and pesticides according to directions, and using cleaning methods that prevent the release of pollutants.

“Harbour Village Marina is proud to become a designated member of the Florida Clean Marina Program,” said Robert Garris, Harbormaster. “We are also proud of our community of Ponce Inlet and being able to help keep it green.”

The Clean Boating Partnership is a consortium of industry leaders who contribute time and input to the Clean Marina, Clean Boatyard, Clean Marine Retailer and Clean Boater programs which DEP administers to protect Florida’s waterways. The partnership includes DEP, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida Sea Grant Program, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary.

“The Clean Boating Partnership congratulates the Harbour Village Marina for its commitment to Florida’s environment,” said the Partnership’s Chair John Naybor. “The dedication and hard work in becoming a Clean Marina is an accomplishment this facility can be proud of and we welcome it to our growing Clean Marina family.”

With more than one million registered motorized vessels in Florida, environmental education within marine industries is the first step toward safeguarding the state’s natural resources. By providing “green” education and alternatives the Florida Clean Marina Program helps ensure a sustainable future for the environment and a billion dollar marine industry. For more information about the Florida Clean Marina Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina.

DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary, non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/green/.