FL H7003

Department of Environmental Protection must adopt statewide environmental resource permitting rules by October 1, 2012, in coordination with water management districts, governing construction, alteration, operation, maintenance, repair, abandonment, and removal of stormwater management systems, dams, impoundments, and reservoirs.

Rules must include permit criteria and thresholds, permit types, application review procedures, exemptions and general permits, issuance conditions, monitoring requirements, standardized fee categories, application forms, and an applicant handbook with environmental evaluation criteria.

Counties, municipalities, and delegated local programs must amend ordinances to incorporate the adopted rules by reference within 12 months of the rules' effective date; stricter local regulations remain permitted.

Stormwater management systems designed and constructed in accordance with department or water management district standards are presumed not to cause violations of state water quality standards.

Act takes effect July 1, 2012; existing rules remain in effect until new rules become effective, and water management districts may implement new rules without additional rulemaking procedures.