The Issue The issue for consideration is whether the City of Sarasota should be issued a permit by the Department of Environmental Regulation for the construction of a dry line sewer system through the Petitioner's neighborhood.
Findings Of Fact At all times pertinent to the matters in issue herein the Petitioners, Becky Close, et al., were residents of the area in issue which is located both within and outside the boundaries of the City of Sarasota and in portions of Sarasota County contiguous thereto. The City of Sarasota, (City), is a municipality in Sarasota County which has applied to the Department of Environmental Regulation, (Department), for a permit to construct a sewage collection/transmission system in Sarasota County which Petitioners fear will adversely impact the safe, quiet enjoyment of their property. The Department is the state agency responsible for the permitting of sewage transmission, collection, treatment and disposal in this state. The City currently owns and operates a domestic wastewater collection, transmission, treatment and disposal system, including a wastewater treatment plant, which serves approximately 96% of the City's residents and which is authorized by a Construction Permit and Amended Consent Order issued by the Department. On or about November 30, 1990 the City applied to the Department for a permit to construct an additional collection and transmission system for wastewater. This permit, if issued, would provide for the City to construct several system extensions at various locations throughout the city and includes the construction of seven lift/pump stations and fourteen "tie-in" locations at which the existing system will be extended to the unserved areas. Upon completion, the system will serve approximately 99% of the City's residents. Accompanying the application was a set of engineering plans and specifications for the proposed project which had been signed and sealed by the City's engineers. Sometime after the application was filed, the Department requested additional information relating, inter alia, to the design of the lift stations in regard to flood conditions. On January 8, 1991, the City provided the requested information which was based in part on a flood insurance map prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA). Thereafter, by Notice dated March 26, 1991, the Department indicated its intention to grant the permit application. The proposed permit specifically notes that it is for the construction of the line only and before it can be placed in service, the City must secure separate approval. Specifically, the permit conditions state: 2. This permit does not authorize the connection of these collection systems to the City of Sarasota WWTP [Wastewater Treatment Plant]. The permit shall not be construed to infer any assurance that the necessary authorization for connection shall be granted. Any such authorization shall be granted only when adequate treatment in accordance with rules, regulation, and issued permits of the Department is available for any flows transported by the systems. * * * 5. Upon completion of the system and prior to use, the permittee ... shall submit to this Department a written request ... to obtain Department approval to place the system into service, .... In addition to the terms of those specific conditions relating to the limited approval effect of this permit, the General Conditions provide: 3. ... This permit is not a waiver of or approval of any other Department permit that may be required for other aspects of the total project which are not addressed in this permit. It is clear from the language of the permit that as proposed, it does not include authorization to place the covered work into service or, for that matter, to even connect it to the existing plant. The Petitioners live within an eight block area through which one of the proposed extensions, with its lift stations, will run. Many have lived in the area for decades and have experienced periodic flooding which, for the most part, results from the inability of the drainage flow to adequately handle the large amounts of rainwater which come with storms that routinely hit the area. In addition, increased paving as a part of commercial and residential development in the area has resulted in a reduction of absorption which has contributed to the flooding. The flooding which occurs usually recedes within a couple of hours and leaves a residue. Many of the residents oppose the projected permit because they fear that if the system fails during a flood period, sewage would be ejected from the system, would mix with the flood waters, and spread across the area. When the waters receded, the residue would include waste as well. William Hartman, a resident of the areas for 35 years, who is not an expert in any pertinent field, prepared a map of the area and the watershed which drains it. In doing so, he didn't consult with anyone nor can he state the total acreage or the number of impervious or pervious areas. He does not know how much rainfall there is in either a 100 year or a 25 year storm and he cannot say if any of the photographs of flooding introduced by the Petitioners depicted a 100 year storm, the last of which occurred in 1968. Nonetheless, he is still concerned. Mr. Hartman tried to make this information available to City officials before the design of the system was started but they did not seem to be much interested in it. He also tried to present the information to the City Commission before the project was voted on, but, again, it was rejected. Another resident, Mr. Williams, built a home in the area several years ago, but before he could do so, he was required to bring in fill to build up an area on which to build. Whenever it rains, the water runs off his land and onto his neighbors' and floods their houses. Since his house is built up, he does not suffer water damage, but when it floods, he has trouble getting into and out of his property. Ms. Hartman, another neighbor, was caught outdoors in the 1971 flood which brought water up to her chest. In her opinion, if sewage were released into this kind of water, it would be revolting. The evidence of periodic flooding is also supported by Mr. Lawson, the mail carrier in the area for 10 years, whose vehicle has stalled in the high water, and Mr. Riddlemoser, a resident, who has, on occasion, been unable to drive into the area due to high water. The manager of the County's Stormwater Management Division confirms there is a flooding problem in the area. Several alternatives have been proposed to deal with it. One is emergency evacuation of the residents and another is channel modification to drain the water away. Additional development in the area can be expected and any such development is required to be designed to minimize impact downstream. Nonetheless, some additional problems might be expected. The County plans to study all the reports and come up with proposed solutions to the flooding problem. Though he cannot judge whether the Corps of Engineers' report or the FEMA report has the better flood information, he would use the Corps' figures. The County's utilities plans examiner, Mr. Cole, has visited the area and attended a residents' meeting about the flooding problem. His study of the problem generates two questions. The first is what caused the flooding, and the second is that given the existence of flooding, why allow the system to be built there? He determined that the problem is caused by the fact that the City's ditches are not cleaned out and the County's are. The solution to that is to clean the ditches. Mr. Cole reviewed the application and consulted with the Department about it. Based on the information he received, he recommended the permit be issued since the plans for the design of the system are within the guidelines established by the County Code. Therefore, the County has no objection to the line being constructed. Turning to the project proposed, those portions of the system extension which will relate to the eight block area inhabited by the Petitioners are identified in the permit application as tie in extension areas C and D, and include lift stations 75 and 76, neither of which will serve any residents outside the eight block area in question. Station 75 is to be placed to the east of Central Avenue near 42nd Street and Station 76 is to be placed east of Central Avenue near 38th Street. Petitioners are concerned that in the event of flooding as a result of heavy rains or for some other reason, the sewage line as designed is incapable of protecting them against a back-up of sewage and escape of that sewage into the flood waters in the area. Evidence presented by the City indicates that at the present time, the City's existing system wastewater treatment and disposal plant capacity is 13 million gallons per day, (MGD), and average existing wastewater flow received there is only 6.467 mgd. Even with the increase in flow created by the extension of the system to existing homes, the plant is well equipped to handle the additional flow as well as that additional flow anticipated as a result of future wastewater flow when the areas to be served by the extension are fully built up. It is clear then, that the available capacity of the plant is more than sufficient to properly treat and dispose of any additional waste water flows created when and if the proposed sewer extension is approved and placed into service even after accounting for increased residential building in the area. From a technical standpoint, the proposed system must be designed and constructed according to the technical standards contained in Water Pollution Control Federation's Manual of Practice No. 9, Design and Construction of Sanitary and Storm Sewers. The evidence of record clearly indicates that the proposal here, as evidenced by the plans and specifications drawn therefor, is in compliance with those technical standards and criteria. Further, the technical standards and criteria established by the Great Lakes/Upper Mississippi River Board of State Sanitary Engineers' 1987 edition of Recommended Standard Sewage Works, also applies. The evidence of record indicates that the proposed system is in compliance with those standards as well. There is some concern as to whether privately owned property will be used for the construction of this project and the evidence indicates that this project extension for the eight block area in question will be located only on public rights of way, land owned by the City, or easements granted to the City. The evidence also demonstrates that the extension here is designed to insure the safety of the surrounding area as it pertains to runoff and other possible pollutants. In fact, the system is designed to preclude the deliberate introduction of stormwater runoff or certain other pollution such as condensate from air conditioning systems, closed system cooling water, and other sources of waste water. Specifically, both lift stations are designed to be equipped with standard receptacles for connecting portable power generating equipment to provide lift pumping capability in the event that commercial power to the area is interrupted. Both stations are also designed to discharge through the smallest possible pipes, (less than 6" in diameter), and both are designed to be equipped with risers and appropriate coupling devices at the discharge pipe so that portable pumps may be connected in the event that becomes necessary. The stations in question are designed so as to be protected from lightning and abnormal voltage surges through the affixation of lightning arresters and surge capacitors. They are designed to be equipped with phase protection and will incorporate a stand-by pumping capability to be utilized with off line power generation so that they will continue to operate even in the event of a shutdown of commercial power. The stations are equipped with locking components and barriers designed to discourage the intrusion into the station by unauthorized people or by animals, and are enclosed and designed so as to eliminate, as much as possible, any odor which might be offensive or harmful to the residents in the area. In addition, the stations are designed so as to minimize noise through the incorporation of submersible pumps. What is more, recognizing the fact that the locations of the stations have a high water table, the stations were designed so as to remain in place even when empty. In that regard, the bottom slab is designed to be broader than the overlying body of the station so that the weight of the dirt above the slab will hold the station in place. Taken together, then, the evidence indicates, and it is so found, that the proposed system extension has been designed consistent with sound engineering practices so that it will accomplish its purpose in an environmentally sound manner. A primary concern of the residents is that the City has failed to account for flooding conditions which occur in the eight block area. In support of their concerns, Petitioners introduced several photographs purporting to show flooding into evidence, yet the photographs were not specifically identified as to which flood and under what conditions the scenes represented thereon took place. The City presented expert testimony based on varying sources of information including FEMA and the Corps of Engineers. Both are sources that engineers would rely upon to determine flood elevations in the course of designing a sewer system. This evidence indicates that both lift stations would not be located in those areas depicted in the flooding photographs presented by the Petitioners. By way of background, floods are categorized in year configurations. For example, a "25 year flood", is one in which the water level is likely to occur at least once over a 25 year period. By the same token, a "100 year flood" is one in which the water level is likely to occur at least once over a 100 year period. A 25 year or 100 year flood incorporates conditions caused by "flash flooding", a term used to depict a very rapidly occurring flood which arises without warning. Use of the two flood elevation maps, that by FEMA and that by the Corps of Engineers, creates a discrepancy, however. The FEMA map indicates the stations are not located within either the 25 or 100 year flood zones. On the other hand, the Corps of Engineers reconnaissance report indicates they are. The Corps of Engineers report indicates that the 25 year flood elevation at station 75 is approximately 15.2 feet above sea level, and the 100 year elevation at that site is approximately 15.9 feet above sea level. The Mobilife engineering report, which describes actual water levels at particular locations in the eight block area during the 1962 flood, recognized as a 100 year flood, (and which considers stations 75 and 76 to be within the 100 year flood zone), shows the 100 year flood water at station 75 reached approximately 16.2 feet, the same as at station 76. Regardless of which flood level is considered accurate, however, the City's evidence shows that the electrical components in both stations, those components sensitive to water, are contained within a control panel which is sealed for protection from the weather. Further, it must be noted that the bottom of the electrical control panel is at an elevation of 18.3 feet at station 75 and at 17.7 feet at station 76. Consequently, whether one uses the FEMA/COE figures for water level or the Mobilife figures for a 100 year flood, the fact remains that the sensitive electrical components would be well above high water in either case. It is clear, then, that the design of both lift stations sufficiently addresses the potential for damage or interruption of operation because of flooding. The system is designed so that those components sensitive to flooding will be placed above the expected high water marks, and the mechanical components are designed for submerged use and are not generally affected by flood conditions. The lift stations are designed so that they will be protected from damage by wind or water and should remain fully accessible and operational during either a 25 or a 100 year flood. This evidence presented by the City was neither contradicted or rebutted by any evidence submitted by Petitioners. Even if, however, there should be a flood elevation higher than those predicted by either FEMA or the Corps or Engineers, it would be relatively easy and inexpensive, to raise the control panels even higher at those lift stations to correct any problem that might arise. There are, in addition, safeguards designed into the system which will alert the population to problems occurring in the pump function. Visual alarms are installed which will alert passersby or staff from the utility to the fact that the pumps are not operating properly. In addition, the design of both stations incorporates a reserve capacity which is sufficient to provide the City with sufficient time to correct any failures, electrical or mechanical, which might occur before damage can take place. Specifically, the design at station 75 will provide additional capacity of approximately 24 hours at maximum build-out before a back-up can be expected to occur. At station 76, this reserve capacity will permit 2.26 days of additional operation before a problem takes place and this also assumes maximum build-out. Under those circumstances, if a failure should occur at either station, there would be ample time for the City to utilize temporary electrical or pumping activities to prevent a back-up from occurring. The City contends that if flood conditions were to occur at either station that were not corrected and which resulted in the unlikely backup of sewage, the impact of such backup on residents in the area would be minimal. Its rationalization is based on the supposition that if flood conditions causing such a back-up were to occur, they would result in the Petitioners evacuating the area, and therefore, they would not be impacted. This would relate, of course, only to the impact on personal safety, but not to potential impacts such as loss of property or secondary safety consideration. This argument, which is not significant, is not considered pertinent and is rejected. Were a failure to occur at lift station 75 that resulted in sewage back-up, that back-up would occur at the lowest point in the system, the manhole at 40th Street. If a similar failure resulted in a backup in system 76, the back-up would be at 39th Street. In either case, the City claims, the back-up would not reach customers' homes. This argument, too, though not rebutted by the Petitioners, appears not to consider all the potential impacts such as odor, appearance, and the like which, while not necessarily accompanied by sewage entering the home, is, nonetheless, adverse in impact if located in the immediate area of those homes. Other factors are also pertinent to a study of the safety and propriety of the project include the fact that the system extension is designed in such a fashion as to adequately address the forces of water movement. It is also noted that the system does not include any intersection with force mains; it does not include any stub-outs on existing force mains since it is designed to accommodate the service area at full build-out. The City does not anticipate that the system will involve any sewage pipes intersections with water mains, but if such mains are encountered, the project plans contain instructions to the contractor to afford appropriate protection. The program does not envision any intersection between sewer lines, storm mains or water mains, and the project has been designed so that manhole settling and pipe settling should be minimized. In the event there is settling, however, the project proposes the use of flexible pipe and pipe connectors to minimize any damage that might result therefrom. In that regard, the project calls for the use of flexible, water-tight, wall-to-pipe joints which would compensate for any remaining differential or stress. Normal operation and maintenance will be enhanced by the use of standard size manholes in the system. Since the proposed system is not designed to cross any waterways or canals subject to maintenance dredging, there should be no damage by virtue of those activities. In addition, there is little likelihood that any part of the system could be damaged by boat anchors or by interface with underwater sewage lines. Taken together, the system appears to be well designed and compatible with accepted engineering standards. All foreseeable contingencies appear to have been provided for and the risk of back-up and resultant damage to the property or safety of residents in the area has been minimized.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is, therefore: RECOMMENDED that a Final Order be entered issuing Permit No. CS 58-189732, for the dry line construction of an expansion to the City's existing domestic wastewater collection/transmission system, as outlined in the Department's Notice of Intent dated March 27, 1991. RECOMMENDED in Tallahassee, Florida this 26th day of September, 1991. ARNOLD H. POLLOCK Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 26th day of September, 1991. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER IN CASE NO. 91-2470 The following constitutes my specific rulings pursuant to Section 120.59(2), Florida Statutes, on all of the Proposed Findings of Fact submitted by the parties to this case. FOR THE PETITIONERS: None submitted FOR THE CITY: 1.- 3. Accepted and incorporated herein. 4.- 10. Accepted and incorporated herein. 11. Not a proper Finding of Fact. 12.- 14. Accepted and incorporated herein. 15.- 16. Accepted and incorporated herein. 17.- 20. Accepted and incorporated herein. 21.- 28. Accepted and incorporated herein. 29.- 34. Accepted and incorporated herein. 35.- 37. Accepted and incorporated herein. 38.- 43. Accepted and incorporated herein. 44. Accepted and incorporated herein. 45.- 50. Accepted and incorporated herein. 51.- 55. Accepted and incorporated herein. 56. Accepted and incorporated herein. 57. Accepted and incorporated herein. 58. Not a Finding of Fact but a comment on the evidence. 59.- 65. Accepted and incorporated herein. 66.- 69. Accepted and incorporated herein. 70.- 73. Accepted and incorporated herein. 74.- 79. Accepted and incorporated herein. 80.- 87. Accepted and incorporated herein. 88.- 89. Accepted and incorporated herein. 90.- 95. Accepted and incorporated herein. 96. Rejected as not a appropriate Finding of Fact. 97.- 99. Accepted and incorporated herein. 100.-114. Accepted and incorporated herein. 115.-118. Accepted. 119. Not a Finding of Fact but a comment on the evidence. 120.-123. Accepted. 124. Just a comment on the evidence. 125. Accepted. 126.-128. Merely a comment on the evidence. 129. Accepted. 130 -131. Merely a comment on the evidence. 132.-133. Accepted and incorporated herein. 134.-136. Accepted. FOR THE DEPARTMENT: 1.- 6. Accepted and incorporated herein. 7.- 11. Accepted and incorporated herein. 12.- 19. Accepted and incorporated herein. 20.- 25. Accepted and incorporated herein. 26.- 36. Accepted and incorporated herein. 37. Accepted and incorporated herein. 38.- 42. Accepted and incorporated herein. 43.- 49. Accepted and incorporated herein. 50.- 54. Accepted and incorporated herein. COPIES FURNISHED: Becky Close 1380 42nd Street Sarasota, Florida 34234 William Hartman 1325 41st Street Sarasota, Florida 34234 Robert Rhoades 1335 40th Street Sarasota, Florida 34234 David M. Caldevilla, Esquire de la Parte & Gilbert, P.A. P.O. Box 172537 Tampa, Florida 33672-0537 W. Douglas Beason, Esquire Department of Environmental Regulation 2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 Daniel H. Thompson General Counsel DER 2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 Carol Browner Secretary Department of Environmental Regulation 2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
The Issue Whether or not Petitioners' application for an on-site sewage disposal system (OSDS) permit should be granted.
Findings Of Fact Petitioners, Paula and David Caywood, are the owners of Lot 54, Timber Pines Subdivision, Unit 1, in Madison County, Florida. The subject lot is situated within the ten year flood plain of the Suwannee River Basin. On August 13, 1990, Petitioners filed an application with Respondent to install an OSDS to service a two-bedroom home which they desired to place on the subject lot. As an attachment to their OSDS application, Petitioners introduced a copy of a survey of their lot which was prepared by Walton F. Poppell, a Florida registered land surveyor who holds registration number 2940. The ground elevation for the ten year flood plain for the subject area where Petitioners propose to install their OSDS is 68.0 ft. A review of the land survey presented by Petitioners indicate that the proposed OSDS would be at a ground elevation of 63.8 ft. and when completed would be placed at a ground level of 65.64 ft. or 2.36 ft. below the elevation of the ten year flood plain. Although the Petitioners lot is not subject to frequent flooding, since the surface grade is beneath the ten year flood elevation, the bottom of the drain field trenches absorption bed to be installed would also be beneath the ten year flood elevation. Petitioners have not applied for a variance to install their OSDS within the ten year flood plain of the Suwannee River Basin.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that: Respondent enter a Final Order denying Petitioners application to install an OSDS to service a two-bedroom home on Lot 54, Timber Pines Subdivision, Unit 1, in Madison County, Florida. DONE and ENTERED this 28th day of February, 1991, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. JAMES E. BRADWELL Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904)488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 28th day of February, 1991. COPIES FURNISHED: David and Paula Caywood 9320 Horizon Drive Springhill, Florida 34608 John L. Pearce, Esquire HRS District II Legal Office 2639 N. Monroe Street, Suite 200-A Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2949 R. S. Power, Agency Clerk Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 Linda K. Harris, Esquire Acting General Counsel Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700
Findings Of Fact Charlotte Highlands is an approximately 97-acre mobile home subdivision in Charlotte County, Florida. The roads in the subdivision are unpaved. The stormwater sheet flow in the area is from west to east. To the east of Charlotte Highlands is a 21-acre hardwood swamp, the wetlands in question in this proceeding. Stormwater from the 97-acre subdivision west of the wetlands and from the 250 acres west of the subdivision flows to the east into the wetlands. Water flows out of the wetlands to the east, from the 21-acre wetlands through a stream into Myrtle Slough. Myrtle Slough is part of the waters of the State. The County wishes to create a stormwater drainage system for Charlotte Highlands. Under the County's plan, stormwater from the 97-acre subdivision would be discharged into the wetlands owned by Desrosiers Brothers. Although the County and the Department view this project as involving only the discharge of stormwater from the 97-acre subdivision into the wetlands, the stormwater discharged would include the stormwater flowing into the 97-acre subdivision from the 250 acres located directly west of the subdivision. The County met with individuals from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and that agency questioned the method of calculations used by the County in determining the amount of runoff into the proposed drainage system. Although new calculations of stormwater runoff volume were performed by the County, those new calculations were not provided to the Department in the County's permit application. The wetlands in question contain cypress, maples, laurel oak, bay trees, percia, dahoon holly, buttonbush, ferns, palmetto, and wet pine. Some of these species, especially the maples, cannot withstand much flooding. The outflow from the wetland into Myrtle Slough is via a natural stream. Although there are some indications that some excavation may have taken place in the stream, such as the spoil located near the cattle watering pond near the mouth of the wetlands, water flows from the wetlands to Myrtle Slough through a natural watercourse with no man-made connections. The hydroperiod is the length of time water stays in a wetlands before it drains out of the wetlands. This determines the water level, the critical factor affecting a wetland's ability to perform its vital functions. If the rate or volume of either the inflow or outflow of a wetlands is altered enough, the water level changes, usually with adverse environmental consequences. Certain species of flora will die off if the water level rises too much. Others require high water levels for their survival. In order to assess the effects of a proposed alteration to such a system, one must determine the existing high pool and low pool. Donald H. Ross established the high and low pools for the County. He went to the wetlands and observed the stain, rack, and lichen lines on tree trunks. He also observed the cypress buttress. Ross also determined the invert of the stream, the elevation at which water first starts to run in it. Based solely on this site visit, the County determined the high pool in the wetlands to be at 14.8 NGVD and the low pool to be at 14.1 NGVD. No rainfall data was collected and analyzed; no hydrological studies were performed; no observations were made over a period of time. There are two aspects of this project which can alter the hydroperiod of the wetlands. The first involves the amount of water entering the wetlands, and the second involves the amount of water leaving the wetlands. Currently, runoff from the 97-acre subdivision as well as the 250-acre area west of the subdivision drains toward the wetlands. The County intends to pave the roads in the subdivision and construct a system of swales. Although the paving will increase the impervious surface by an insignificant amount, the runoff will be delivered to the wetlands faster. Accordingly, peaks in water level will occur more suddenly with increased water arriving more quickly. Stormwatr is discharged into wetlands to take advantage of the pollutant-filtering functions of wetlands vegetation. To realize this function, the water must be held in the wetlands for a certain amount of time. The County intends to accomplish this by the installation of a control structure, known as a weir, which will regulate the amount of water leaving the wetlands. The County proposes to construct a weir on the stream between the wetlands and Myrtle Slough approximately 100 feet from the mouth of the wetlands. The top of the weir for this system will be set at 14.8 NGVD, the high pool established by Ross for the County. The weir will also have an orifice set at 14.1 NGVD, the low pool established by Ross and the County, which will allow a constant flow of water out of the wetlands at that elevation. The control structure will cause water to remain in the wetlands for a longer period of time, which will raise the water level in the wetlands by some amount. In order to accurately predict this amount, it is necessary to determine the storage capacity of the wetlands. The County calculated that a storage capacity of 177,761 cubic feet would be required for the wetlands to contain the first one-half inch of rainfall from the 97-acre subdivision. No calculations have been made as to the storage capacity required for the wetlands to contain the first one inch of rainfall from the 97-acre subdivision as well as the 250-acre area that drains into the subdivision which then drains toward the wetlands. The County has failed to establish the hydroperiod of the wetlands. Having failed to establish the hydroperiod of the wetlands, the impact of its project on the wetlands cannot be determined. As an alternative to this project the County considered rerouting the stormwater away from the wetlands. Diverting necessary water from the wetlands would result in the desiccation of the wetlands. However, an increased water flow if not properly discharged would likely result in an over impoundment of the wetlands. Either approach would have an adverse impact on a productive wetland system, such as the wetlands involved here, and a change in the vegetation would adversely impact the wetland's ability to treat the discharge. The treatment of stormwater in wetlands is a relatively new technique. Although some projects have been approved in other parts of the State, projects such as that proposed by the County have not been used yet in southwest Florida.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is, RECOMMENDED that a Final Order be entered denying Charlotte County's application for a wetlands stormwater discharge facility permit. DONE and RECOMMENDED this 8th day of October, 1987, at Tallahassee, Florida. LINDA M. RIGOT, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 8th day of October, 1987. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER, CASE NO. 87-0243 Although Charlotte County filed a document called Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions on the Evidence, rather than setting forth any findings of fact the County simply makes what it calls a Comparison of Evidence on Issue 1 and a Comparison of Evidence on Issue 2, listing under each heading excerpts from the testimony of each of the witnesses in this proceeding. Accordingly, no rulings are made herein on Charlotte County's proposed findings of fact since it is determined that there are none. Desrosiers Brothers' proposed findings of fact numbered 1-9, 15, 17, 24, 26, 27, and 38 have been adopted either verbatim or in substance in this Recommended Order. Desrosiers Brothers' proposed findings of fact numbered 10-12, 19-21, 23, 25, 29-37, 40, and 41 have been rejected as not constituting findings of fact but rather as constituting argument of counsel or recitations of the testimony. Desrosiers Brothers' proposed findings of fact numbered 13, 14, 16, 18, 22, 28, and 39 have been rejected as being unnecessary or subordinate to the issues under consideration herein. The Department's proposed findings of fact numbered 1, 2, 14 in part, 15, 16 in part, 17 in part, 18-22, 27, and 28 in part have been adopted either verbatim or in substance in this Recommended Order. The Department's proposed findings of fact numbered 5 and 6 have been rejected as not constituting findings of fact but rather as constituting argument of counsel or recitations of the testimony. The Department's proposed findings of fact numbered 16 in part, and 17 in part have been rejected as being unnecessary or subordinate to the issues under consideration herein. The Department's proposed findings of fact numbered 3, 4, and 7-13 have been rejected as being contrary to the weight of the evidence in this cause. The Department's proposed findings of fact numbered 14 in part, 23-26, and 28 in part have been rejected as not being supported by the evidence in this cause. COPIES FURNISHED: Dale Twachtmann, Secretary Department of Environmental Regulation 2600 Blairstone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 Philip J. Jones, Esquire 201 West Marion Avenue Suite 301 Punta Gorda, Florida 33950 Matthew G. Minter, Esquire 18500 Murdock Circle Port Charlotte, Florida 33948-1094 Richard Grosso, Esquire Department of Environmental Regulation 2600 Blairstone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 =================================================================
Findings Of Fact On August 12, 1982, the partnership made application for a fill permit to fill approximately .67 acres and to create approximately .45 acres of wetlands in St. Johns County, Florida. A copy of this permit application may be found as DER Exhibit No. 1 admitted into evidence. At the same time, the partnership requested permission from Department of Environmental Regulation to construct a roadway associated with the residential project mentioned in permit application Number 1. This road construction contemplated filling approximately .06 acres associated with a 20 foot roadway with swale drainage in an area the applicant identified as a transitional wetland. A copy of the second permit application may be found as DER Exhibit No. 2 admitted into evidence. Those permit applications were received by DER on August 18, 1982. The applications for permit were reviewed by the Northeast District Office, State of Florida, Department of Environmental Regulation. Tim Deuerling, a member of that district staff, was the individual primarily responsible for the permit review. His position with the staff is that of Environmental Specialist and his duties include dredge and fill permit review. In the course of the hearing, Deuerling was qualified as an expert in the evaluation of dredge and fill projects on the subject of water quality impacts associated with the activity. The permit applications have been considered separately based upon several on-site inspections made by Deuerling. Having concluded the inspections, Deuerling made a written permit application appraisal for each permit request. These activities took into account the biophysical features of the project area, with emphasis on the possible impact of the project related to ecology of the water body. DER Exhibit No. 17 admitted into evidence, is a copy of the appraisal report related to the dredge and fill activities in the wetlands of approximately .67 acres fill and the creation of .45 acres marsh. DER Exhibit No. 18 admitted into evidence, is a copy of the permit application appraisal by Deuerling related to the fill activities associated with the construction of the road. In summary, these appraisals recommended the denial of the permit applications, based upon the concern that the projects would damage the existing biological resources and have the effect of degradation of the local water quality. In the face of the Department's initial statement of intent to deny the permit, revisions were made to the permit applications. In particular, the revisions contemplated the filling of approximately 10,000 square feet of transitional zone vegetation, as defined in Rule 17-4.02(17), Florida Administrative Code, while creating approximately 56,000 square feet of marshland vegetated with low marsh submerged species. The newly created marsh area would be protected by a coquina rock revetment. The destruction of the transitional vegetation in the project is not a violation of Department of Environmental Regulation regulatory standards, per se. Moreover, the substituted submerged vegetation which is sought is of a higher quality in performing the function of enhancing water quality, when contrasted with the transitional-type vegetation. DER Exhibit No. 5 admitted into evidence is a diagram which points out the associated fill in the revised permit application, with the fill areas over which the Department of Environmental Regulation has jurisdiction being delineated in red. The green line depicts the demarcation of the landward extent of the Department's permitting jurisdiction. DER Exhibits 6, 7, and 8, copies of which have been admitted into evidence, are information and synopsis of meetings related to the revisions. In commenting on the topic of an on-site meeting, which was conducted on November 19, 1982, an official with the United States Corps of Engineers expressed concern that the mitigation plan for protecting the environment should require a minimum of one-to-one marsh creation for marsh destroyed. The project, as contemplated, allows for roughly five times the area to be created in contrast to area destroyed. A copy of the letter from the employee of the United States Army Corps of Engineers may be found as DER Exhibit No. 9 admitted into evidence. Comments from other regulatory agencies were received by the Department of Environmental Regulation. These comments were from the United States Environmental Protection Agency; State of Florida, Department of Natural Resources; United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and the Building and Zoning Department, St. Johns County, Florida. Copies of these comment letters were received as DER Exhibit Nos. 10, 11, 12, and 13 respectively. The concerns expressed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and United States Fish and Wildlife Service have been addressed in the subsequent conditions set forth in the Notice of Intent to Issue Permits by Department of Environmental Regulation. That comment in DER Exhibit No. 13 made by officials with the Building and Zoning Department of St. Johns County on the subject of their reluctance to accept the fact that there is a trade off of wetlands for wetlands as opposed to the substitution of uplands for wetlands to-be filled, is satisfactorily addressed in the revised proposal. The uplands that are being graded will become a marsh area and will not remain uplands. Comments in opposition to the project were received from members of the public. Copies of these letters in opposition may be found as DER Exhibits Nos. 14, 15, and 16. Those items respectively are from John W. Morris, Esquire, DER Exhibit No. 14; Elouise Kora and Yolande Truett, DER Exhibit No. 15; and Rod and Jacqueline Landt, DER Exhibt No. 16. Having reviewed the original project, the revisions to the permit applications, and the comments by various private individuals and public agencies, the Department of Environmental Regulation noticed all interested parties of the Department's intent to issue permits for the benefit of the Partnership. Copies of those notices may be found as DER Exhibit Nos. 19 and 20 pertaining to the substituted marshland permit and road permit respectively. Those letters of intent establish the particular conditions that the Department would impose on the grant of the permit. In the instance of the substituted wetlands area, it would include turbidity controls during the placement of the fill, the stabilization of fill to prevent erosion into state waters, the placement of coquina rip-rap along open waters of the Tolomato River prior to the excavation of upland areas to the intertidal elevation that is referred to as one of the other conditions, the excavation of the project area to allow the growth of Spartina alterniflora to be planted on three foot centers, and the assurance that the new wetlands vegetation shall have a 70 percent survival rate following planting as measured at the conclusion of the first year or that replanting of that species shall occur until a 70 percent survival rate is achieved. DER Exhibit No. 20 related to the construction of the roadway sets forth conditions related to the fact that the road should be constructed at a time when the area is not inundated with water, turbidity control at the time of construction, and the stabilization of the road and swales to prevent erosion leading to the introduction of materials into the waters of the state. Each Notice of Intent to Grant also sets out opportunity for parties in opposition to request a hearing to consider the propriety of the grant of permit. At the time that the Notices of Intent were sent, permits were also drafted pertaining to the marsh area and roadway. Copies of those permits may be found as DER Exhibit Nos. 21 and 22 respectively. Those permits are considered to be proposed agency action, pending the outcome of the hearing conducted March 30, 1982, to address the question of the grant of permits. The permits contain the conditions above. A protest was received leading to the current hearing, following the Department's request for the assignment of a Hearing Officer and such assignment. In addition to the review of the project made by Deuerling, Jeremy Tyler, an employee in the Northeast Florida District, Department of Environmental Regulation, considered the original project and its revisions. Tyler was accepted as an expert in the assessment of impact of dredge and fill projects on water quality. In view of the revisions to the project, and keeping in mind that the work to be done pursuant to the revisions would be landward of the line of mean high water, Tyler correctly asserts that standards or criteria related to water quality in the State of Florida will not be violated by project activities, i.e., reasonable assurances have been given by the applicant. This pertains to standards established pursuant to Chapter 403, Florida Statutes, as carried forward in Chapter 17, Florida Administrative Code. Based upon the revisions, Deuerling correctly concurred in Tyler's impression that water quality standards or criteria would not be violated, i.e., that reasonable assurances had been given by the applicant. Deuerling was particularly impressed with the design of the revised project, the stormwater control methods to be implemented at the project site, and the decrease in the amount of filling to be done within areas of. the Department' s jurisdiction. The jurisdictional boundaries are determined by reference to transitional vegetation which is dominant, specifically, the first fifty feet of that area. Steve Beamon, marine biologist and consultant hired by the Partnership to plant the marine vegetation in the new marsh area, is convincing when he, by expertise, vouches for the reliability of the 70 percent survival rate for that vegetation. In fact, his experience has been that 97 percent of the vegetation planted survives. Here, the survival rate is premised upon the placement of the rip-rap coquina rock to protect that vegetation. The Department of Environmental Regulation, through Jeremy Tyler, concurs in the necessity for the placement of the revetment. The Partnership had applied for a permit for stormwater discharge. See DER Exhibit No. 3 admitted into evidence, a copy of that application. The Department, in responding to that application, a copy of which response may be found as DER Exhibit No. 4 admitted, declined jurisdiction in the face of a purported exemption available to the Partnership. This action, on the part of the agency, is premised upon its reading of Rule 17-25.03(2)(c), Florida Administrative Code. Petitioner did not present expert testimony to refute the evidence related to reasonable assurances of compliance with applicable standards of the Florida Statutes and associated rules within the Florida Administrative Code. Their concerns pertain to the removal of beach area that would occur in association with the project build-out, especially as it relates to the placement of the coquina rock, which would make the beach area available only at low tide. The witness, Elouise Kora, also established that sand which has been placed in anticipation of the possible permitting of the project has washed into the current marsh areas Other witnesses for Petitioner identified the effects of placement of fill in certain areas as covering food sources for fish and denying opportunity to fish from the shoreline. At present, flounder, drum, whiting, bluefish, and catfish are caught in the area of the project site. Swimming and wading are done in the area of the project site and would be inhibited if the project were granted. Harry Waldron, a member of the St. Johns County Commission, expressed concern that access to the beach area would be denied by the contemplated project. He also indicated that the placement of revetment material was not before the County Commission when it-considered the propriety of this project from the point of view of local government. In Waldron's opinion, although the public can get to beach areas in that basic location, other than the project site, the build-out would cause the loss of a "prime fishing hole", which is not in the public interest, according to Waldron.
Findings Of Fact The Petitioner is a political subdivision of the State of Florida. Respondent, State of Florida, Department of Environmental Regulation, is an agency of the State of Florida charged with carrying out the mandates of Chapter 403, Florida Statutes, and the rules contained in the Florida Administrative Code promulgated thereunder. Respondent, MRT, is a real estate investment trust organized under the laws of the State of Maryland and authorized to do business in Florida. Royal Oaks Development Corporation is a Florida corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maryland Realty Trust. MRT is developing a parcel of land in Sections 33 and 34, T-2-N, R-1-E, Leon County, Florida, and Section 4, T-1-N, R-1-E, Leon County, Florida, of which approximately 60 acres has already been developed as Royal Oaks Unit No. 1, a recorded subdivision pursuant to Chapter 177, Florida Statutes. The balance of the 120 acres is yet to be developed, and is the subject of this proceeding. The specific activity for which the application for dredge and fill permit was submitted consists of improvements to a drainage-way running from the south boundary of the MRT property to a pond designated in the application as "Pond II", together with a drawndown structure, referred to as "S-15". Following submittal of the permit application, DER notified MRT of the receipt of the application and advised that both a permit under Chapter 403, Florida Statutes and a license for stormwater discharge under Rule 17-4.248, Florida Administrative Code, would be required. Following review by the Department, during which MRT was notified that the application in its original form would not be received favorably, MRT, on August 21, 1980, revised its application and based on such revisions, the Department, on October 10, 1980, notified MRT of its intent to issue the permit and license sought. As indicated in the Intent to Issue, DER has asserted jurisdiction over the dredge and fill activities in question contending that they are contemplated to either be in or connected to "waters of the State". Specifically, the Department's Intent to Issue states as follows: The Department has permitting jurisdiction under Chapter 403, Florida Statutes, Section 17-4.28, Florida Administrative Code, and Public Law 92-500 over dredge and fill activities conducted in or connected to certain waters of the State. The specific pond in question and the pond to which it is connected constitute waters of the State over which the Department has dredge and fill permitting jurisdiction as defined in Section 17-4.28, Florida Administrative Code. The project is not exempt from permitting procedures. Pond II is approximately four acres in size and consists of a western lobe of approximately one acre. Pond II is connected to the north to a waterbody known as Pond III/Foxcroft Lake". The vegetation in the south portion of Pond III is typical of fresh water vegetation that grows in submerged or wet areas. The vegetation in an existing well-defined channel between Pond II and the proposed location of structure S-15 is also comprised of water-tolerant species. Sagittaria subulata was observed in the channel in the area proposed for location of S-15. This plant species cannot tolerate dry conditions, indicating that water is present in the channel under most conditions. Further, no upland or pioneer species were observed in the channel, which also is indicative of the fact that the channel usually contains water. Water flows from Pond II to Pond III approximately 90 percent of the time. The base flow in the channel is approximately 2 cubic feet per second. Based on the storage capacity of Pond II, it is probable that flow occurs out of Pond II into Pond III under most conditions. Although 88.0 feet mean seal level is the design normal pond elevation expected after construction of S-15, the present observable elevation of Pond II appears to be between 89.94 and 90.09 mean sea level. Observations of the types of vegetation surrounding Pond II supports the conclusion that the existing normal level of Pond II is approximately 90.0 mean sea level. Pond III is a waterbody of approximately four acres in size and is a portion of the continuation of a larger 10 acre body of water referred to in this proceeding as "Foxcroft Lake". Pond III was the subject of a prior Department dredge and fill permit in which it was determined that Pond III constituted waters of the State subject to the dredge and fill jurisdiction of the Department. Pond III/Foxcroft Lake is a lake owned by more than one person, of approximately 14 acres of surface area and a maximum average depth of approximately 3 feet. Pond III/Foxcroft Lake discharges to and is connected directly to a waterbody known as Long Pond. Long Pond in turn is eventually connected to and discharges into Lake Lafayette. Without any mechanisms designed to treat the pollutants expected to be generated by the proposed project, the development by MRT of its 120 acres of property could reasonably be expected to have a significant adverse impact on the waters of Pond II, Pond III and Foxcroft Lake. Scientific studies demonstrate that potential pollutants generated from developments - single family, multi-family and commercial - have a significant impact on receiving waters if not treated before discharged. The project as presently designed will correct an existing source of pollution by removing sediment which is entering Pond II from the south from Shannon Forest Subdivision. This sediment has been deposited in the drainage- way between Shannon Forest and Pond II and is damaging and severely stressing biota in the drainage-way. This sediment has filled a portion of Pond II and could be expected to eventually discharge into Pond III/Foxcroft Lake. The pre-development rate of flow off the project site as it presently exists is approximately 600 cubic ft. per second. The project as proposed will reduce the rate of flow by 50 percent, to approximately 300 cfs. The project incorporates five mechanisms or abatement controls to treat contaminants customarily contained in stormwater: a grassed conveyance system; retention of natural vegetated areas; energy dissipators; sediment traps; and added storage. Grassed conveyance systems treat stormwater by the assimulation by plant communities of dissolved pollutants, such as nutrients, and the deposition of suspended pollutants that have absorbed to the sediment particles. Approximately 50 percent of the conveyance system in the Phase II development will be grassed swales and re-vegetated ditches. As many swales as possible will be used to convey the stormwater from the discharge at the street outfalls to the ponds. The main drainage ditch through the property will also be grassed. Natural vegetated areas to be left around the existing ponds will treat stormwater by assimilation and filtration in the same manner as the grassed swales and ditches. A one-acre parcel of wetlands is to be left between the southern most portion of the drainage-way and Pond II as described in MRT Exhibit No. 8 and in the revised permit application of August 21, 1980. The vegetation downstream of Pond II between the pond and control structure S-15 will also be left intact. Virtually all the vegetation bordering Pond II and Pond III will be left in place. Five energy dissipaters are to be constructed upstream of Pond II. These structures are designed to reduce the existing sedimentation and erosion problems by reducing the energy gradient and allowing the deposition of sediment, upon which absorbed pollutants have attached, into the accompanying sediment traps. Sediment traps are also to be constructed upstream of Pond II. Sediment traps treat stormwater by reducing the velocity gradient. Sediment and the pollutants absorbed to the sediment will drop out due to insufficient velocity. Storage will be increased in Pond II by the construction of control structure S-15 and by the planned excavation of Pond II. Added storage has a beneficial effect on water quality in that it allows additional sediment particles to settle out, allows additional time for the vegetation on the edge of the ponds to assimilate dissolved pollutants such as nutrients, and reduces the peak discharge velocity. The project is in the public interest in that it will alleviate an existing stormwater problem. In terms of probable efficiency, physical needs and costs, the project represents the best available treatment alternative. Based on existing technology, the system designed for this project is the most effective system within reasonable costs. The effectiveness of the stormwater treatment system depends on the presence of vegetation and will require less maintenance and attendant costs. There does not presently appear to be any local government effort to implement stormwater controls to address this problem or source. Petitioner submitted no evidence of such local government efforts. The system proposed by MRT will mitigate not only the effects of the discharge generated by the proposed development of the 120 acres of property owned by MRT, but will also mitigate the effects of an existing source of stormwater pollution. The system, as designed, is sufficient to afford the Department reasonable assurance that stormwater quality standards will not be violated. The parties stipulated that, should the requested permit and license be issued, they should incorporate the following additional condition: Roads and drainage facilities are to be owned and maintained by Leon County. All paving and drainage shall be done in accordance with the County's standards, details and specifications. In addition, MRT has instituted civil litigation against Leon County concerning the property involved in this proceeding. One of the allegations of MRT's complaint is that Leon County has, through the action amounting to inverse condemnation, acquired a drainage easement over the property for which MRT is now seeking the dredge and fill and stormwater permits. The plans submitted to DER by MRT with its application contain the following: When the construction plans for Phase III of the Royal Oaks development are prepared, these plans shall be submitted to the Department for evaluation for compliance with the original stormwater review.
Findings Of Fact Upon consideration of the oral and documentary evidence adduced at the hearing, the following relevant facts are found: By a Form of Agreement dated August 20, 1974, between petitioner as the contractor and respondent as the owner, petitioner agreed to perform all work required by the Contract Documents for the construction of the R.A. Gray Archives, Library and Museum in Tallahassee, Florida. The Contract Documents consisted of the Form of Agreement, Conditions of the Contract, Drawings, Specifications and all Addenda and Modifications thereof. These were the documents upon which petitioner's bid was based. A portion of the Specifications and Drawings were received into evidence as petitioner's exhibits 1 and 2. Section 15C of the Specifications, Volume 2, Set No. 41, contains the provisions relating to plumbing. Paragraph 3 of Section 15C pertains to soil, waste and vent piping. Paragraph 5 concerns rain water leaders and states "Insulate as specified." Paragraph 19(d) states that: Rain water leaders interior to building construction shall be isolated with 1" thick glass fiber sectional rigid pipe covering with integral vapor barrier (Exhibit No. 2, page 15C-6) The specifications do not appear to call for any particular type of insulation for soil or waste pipes. The legend for the plumbing drawings is contained on drawing P-1 of Exhibit No. 1. This legend illustrates that rain leaders are indicated by a symbol showing straight lines with the initials R.L. in between the lines. Soil or waste pipes are symbolized by a solid straight line. The drawing relevant to the issue in this case is drawing P-17. That drawing utilizes uninitialed, solid straight lines to indicate the type of piping required. No piping is denoted, according to the legend, as rain leader piping. Smith Insulation Company was petitioner's sub-subcontractor to perform the thermal insulation for the project's heating, ventilating and plumbing system. The bid price submitted by Smith was based upon the plans, specifications and drawings supplied by respondent. Frank D. Smith, president of Smith Insulation Company, testified that in interpreting the drawings concerning the plumbing for the project, he relied upon the plumbing legend contained on drawing P-1 of Exhibit 1. Inasmuch as drawing P-17 had no denotation for rain leader piping, Smith interpreted the drawing to require soil and waste pipes for which no insulation was specified. Smith testified that had the items on drawing P-17 been labeled rain leader, his initial bid would have been higher. If he had included the insulation required for rain water leaders, his actual costs would have amounted to an additional $5,000.00 and, with overhead and profit, the amount due petitioner from respondent would be $6,199.68. As a result of the mistake of Smith's superintendent, the piping in dispute on drawing P-17 was in fact initially insulated with "flexible blanket." On October 15, 1975, a site visit of the project was made and among the conditions noted on the respondent's project evaluation report was The contractor has insulated the storm water with flexible blanket. The specs called for rigid pipe covering. (Exhibit A) On October 22, 1975, Mr. Terry N. Thompson conducted a job site visit and reported in part as follows: 3. Insulation on the rain water leaders is not in accordance with the specifications and is not acceptable. Mechanical Contractor has been advised to have the insulation removed and the specified insulation installed. (Exhibit B) Smith Insulation Company removed the flexible insulation from the pipes in questions and replaced it with he specified insulation. Petitioner thereafter requested an increase in the contract price for the insulation by its sub-subcontractor in the amount of $6,199.68. The supervising architects for the project denied this request. Among those who prepared the specifications and the drawings were Fletcher and Valenti, architects and Healy, Hargan, and Matten, consulting engineers. Mr. Terry Thompson with the Healy firm was the project coordinator. He admitted that a difference in interpretation of drawing P-17 was a possibility. Mr. Charles Robert Scott with the Fletcher and Valenti firm admitted that the failure to denote certain piping on P-17 as rain water leaders could have been an error. It was Mr. Scott's opinion, however, that it was obvious from the drawings in question that the function of the pipes in question was to receive rain water. Mr. Nathan Nadler in respondent's Bureau of Construction agreed with Mr. Scott. He felt that the obvious function of the piping system in question was to drain rain water from the plaza decks. Regardless of the "obvious function" of the piping in question, the piping denoted in the drawing were soil and waste pipes. If respondent intended said piping to act as a rain water drain, drawing P-17, when interpreted in conjunction with the plumbing legend contained on P-1, is clearly erroneous.
Recommendation Based upon the findings of fact and conclusions of law recited above, it is recommended that petitioner's request for reimbursement in the amount of $6,199.68 be GRANTED. DONE AND ORDERED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 12th day of August, 1977. DIANE D. TREMOR Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530 Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: William L. Gary Pennington, Wilkinson and Sauls Post Office Box 3985 Tallahassee, Florida 32303 Kenneth F. Hoffman Rogers, Towers, Bailey, Jones and Gay Post Office Box 1872 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 John Barley General Counsel Department of General Services Room 113, Larson Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304
The Issue The central issue in this case is whether the application for a surface water management permit (permit no. 4-009-0077AM) filed by the Respondent, David A. Smith (Applicant), should be approved.
Findings Of Fact Based upon the prehearing stipulations of the parties, the testimony of the witnesses, and the documentary evidence received at the hearing, the following findings of fact are made: The Applicant is the owner of the subject property. The Applicant filed an application for a permit to construct a stormwater management system which was proposed to serve a residential and golf course development to be known as Sabal Hammocks. The site of the proposed project is approximately 720 acres in size and is located in township 24 south, sections 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, and 34, range 35 east, Brevard County, Florida. The entire project site for the Sabal Hammocks development is located within the boundaries of the St. Johns River Water Management District. To the west of the project site is an 140 acre public park that treats its own stormwater and releases pre-treated stormwater during some storm events into the canals on the Sabal Hammocks site. The Applicant's site is located adjacent to Lake Poinsett and prior uses of the land have included cattle grazing and the cultivation of rye and oats. The Applicant filed his application for the stormwater management permit (permit NO. 4-009-0077AM) on December 22, 1989. That application was deemed complete by the District on June 19, 1990. The District issued a notice of its intended action to approve the permit application on June 28, 1990. Save timely filed a petition challenging the proposed action. By law the District is the appropriate agency charged with the responsibility of reviewing applications for stormwater management permits within the subject area. Save is an association of individual persons and representatives from groups who utilize the waters of Lake Poinsett and its surrounding areas for recreational and business purposes. The receiving waters for stormwater discharge from the proposed Sabal Hammocks development will be Lake Poinsett. That water body is classified as Class III waters. Currently, a dike system exists along the southern boundary of the subject property. That dike system separates the internal grazing lands of the parcel from the lower marsh and flooded areas external to the dike. A series of ditches cross the parcel to drain the interior areas. Two agricultural discharge pumps are currently in use at the site. The operation of those pumps has been authorized pursuant to a consent order approved by the District's governing board on December 13, 1990. The dike system on the subject site has been in place since the 1970s. The original construction specifications of the dike are unknown. Sometime in the 1980s, several openings or breaches were cut in the dike system. Those breaches were opened pursuant to permits issued by the District and the Department of Environmental Regulation (DER) . The breaches were cut to a sufficient width and depth to allow boats to navigate through to interior areas of the subject property during those times when the water levels outside the dike would allow such entrance. The breaches were not cut to ground level and the original dike remained intact and uncompromised by the breaches. That is, the dike has not failed to impede water movement and the integrity of the dike was not weakened by the breaches. The original outline, dimension of the dike, remained visible despite the breaches. In 1986, the Applicant requested permission from the District staff in order to close or restore the dike breaches. At that time, the District staff advised David Smith that a permit would not be required to restore the dike since such improvements would be considered a maintenance exemption. Subsequently, and in reliance upon the representations made by the District's director,, the Applicant closed the breaches and restored the continuity of the dike system of the subject property. The Applicant's work to close the breaches was performed in an open manner, would have been visible to persons using the adjacent marsh or water areas for recreational purposes, and was completed at least one year prior to the application being filed in this case. Neither the District nor DER has asserted that the work to complete the original dike in the 1970s, nor the breaches completed in the 1980s, nor the restoration of the breaches in 1986 was performed in violation of law. Further, the District had knowledge of the subject activities. Save contends that the restoration of the dike system was contrary to law and that it was not afforded a point of entry to contest the closure of the breaches. Additionally, Save infers that the original construction of the dike system in the early 1970s was without authorization from authorities. Save's contention is that the prior condition of the property, ie. the parcel with breached openings, must be considered the correct pre- development condition of the land. The District, however, considered the pre- development condition of the parcel to be that of a diked impoundment separated from Lake Poinsett. The same assumption was made regarding the pumping of water from the area enclosed by the dike via an existing 36 inch pump which discharges to Bass Lake (and then to Lake Poinsett) and an existing 12 inch pump that discharges into the marsh areas adjacent to the property (between it and Lake Poinsett). The District's consideration of the site and the application at issue was based upon the actual condition of the land as it existed at the time this application was filed. The pre-development peak rate and volume of discharge from the site was calculated based upon the maximum discharge capacity of the two existing pumps (described above). Accordingly, the maximum pre-development rate of discharge from the two existing pumps is in the range of 90-107 cubic feet per second. The pre-development volume of discharge, based upon actual pump records, was calculated as 710 acre-feet for a 25 year, 96 hour storm event. The total areas encompassed by the Applicant's proposal are the 720 acre site where the golf course and residential homes will be located together with 140 acres from an adjacent public park. The runoff entering the stormwater system from that public park will have already been treated in its own stormwater management system. The Applicant's proposed stormwater system will consist of a series of lakes and interconnected swales. This wet detention system will capture the runoff and direct its flow through the series of swales and lakes via culverts. The waters will move laterally from the northwestern portion of the parcel to she southeastern end of the site. From the final collecting pond, she waters will be pumped to Bass Lake and ultimately flow to Lake Poinsett. Wet detention systems generally provide greater pollutant treatment efficiencies than other types of stormwater treatment systems. The maintenance associated with these systems is also considered less intensive than other types of treatment systems. The wet detention system proposed for Sabal Hammocks accomplishes three objectives related to the flow of stormwater. The first objective, the collection of the. stormwater, requires the creation of several lakes or pools into which water is directed and accumulates. The size and dimension of the lakes will allow the volume of accumulated water to be sufficient to allow stormwater treatment. The capacity of the lakes will also provide for a sufficient volume to give adequate flood protection during rainfall events and storms. The second objective, the treatment of the stormwater, requires the creation of a littoral zone within the system. The littoral zone, an area of rooted aquatic plants within the lakes or ponds, provide for the natural removal of nutrients flowing into the system. The plants serve as a filtering system whereby some nutrients are processed. The proposed littoral zone in this project constitutes approximately 37 percent of the detention system surface area and therefore exceeds District size requirements. The depth of the treatment volume for the proposed system will not exceed 18 inches. A third objective accomplished by the creation of the series of lakes is the provision for an area where pollutants flowing into the detention system may settle and through sedimentation be removed from the water moving through the system. The average residence time estimated for runoff entering the Sabal Hammocks detention system is 48 days. The permanent pool volume will, therefore, be sufficient to assure the proposed project exceeds the District's requirements related to residence time. The design and volume of the Sabal Hammocks system will also exceed the District's requirements related to the dynamic pool volumes. In this case the Sabal Hammocks system will provide for approximately 65 acre-feet of runoff. Thus, the proposed system will adequately control and detain the first 1 inch of runoff from the site. The length to width ratio for the proposed lakes, 18:1, exceeds the District's minimum criteria (2:1). The final lake or pond into which the stormwater will flow will be 17 acres and will have 15 acres of planted wetland vegetation. Before waters will be released into Bass Lake, the site's runoff will pass through 3100 linear feet of this final lake before being discharged. The proposed project will eliminate the two agricultural pumps and replace them with one pump station. That station will contain four pumps with a total pumping capacity of 96 cubic feet per second. Under anticipated peak times, the rate of discharge from the proposed single station is estimated to be less than the calculated peak pre-development rate of discharge (90-107 c.f.s.). The estimated peak volume of discharge will also be lower than the pre-development discharge volumes for the comparable storm events. The proposed pump station is designed to be operated on electrical power but will have a backup diesel generator to serve in the event of the interruption of electrical service. Additionally, the pumps within the station will be controlled by a switching device that will activate the pump(s) only at designated times. It is unlikely that all four pumps will activate during normal rainfall events. The Applicant intends to relinquish maintenance responsibilities for the stormwater system including the pump station to Brevard County, Florida. Finished floor elevations for all residential structures to be built within the Sabal Hammocks development will be at a minimum of 18.2 mean sea level. This level is above that for a 100 year flood. The floor elevations will be at least one foot above the 100 year flood elevation even in the event of the dike or pump failure or both. Finished road elevations for the project will be set at 17.5 feet mean sea level. This elevation meets or exceeds the County's requirements regarding the construction of roadways. It is estimated that the Sabal Hammocks system will retain at least 26 percent of all storm events on site. If the lake system is utilized to irrigate the golf course the proposed system could retain 45 percent of all storm events on site. Of the 31.27 acres of wetlands within the proposed site, only 4.73 acres of wetlands will be disturbed by the construction of this project. Some of the wetlands are isolated and presently provide minimal benefits to off-site aquatic and wetland dependent species. No threatened or endangered species are currently utilizing the isolated wetlands. The areas of wetlands which are productive and which will be disturbed by the development will be replaced by new wetlands to be created adjacent to their current location at a lower elevation. The new wetlands should provide improved wetland function since those areas will be planted with a greater diversity of wetland plant species. Additionally, other wetland areas will be enhanced by the removal of invader species and increased hydroperiod in the area. The integrated pesticide management plan for the proposed project will be sufficient with the additional condition chat use of Orthene, Subdue, and Tersan LSR will be authorized when approved insecticides or fungicides have not been effective. In this case, the estimates regarding the water quality for the proposed project were based upon data from studies of multifamily residential projects. Data from single family/ golf course developments was not available. Therefore, based upon the data used, the projected runoff concentrations for this project should over estimate pollutants and are more challenging to the treatment system than what is reasonably expected to occur. In this regard, the overall treatment efficiencies are estimated to be good for all of the parameters of concern with the exception of nitrogen. The projected increase in nitrogen, however, will not adversely impact the receiving water body. The projected average concentration for each constituent which may be discharged is less than the state standard with the exceptions of cadmium and zinc. In this regard, the District's proposed conditions (set forth in the District's exhibits 4 and 9) adequately offset the potential for a violation of state water quality standards. More specifically, the use of copper-based algaecides in the stormwater management system should be prohibited; the use of galvanized metal culverts in the stormwater management system, or as driveway culverts, should be prohibited; and the use of organic fertilizers or soil amendments derived from municipal sludge on the golf course should be prohibited. Additionally, a water quality monitoring plan should be implemented by the Applicant. The monitoring plan mandates the collection of water samples from areas in order to adequately monitor the overall effectiveness of the treatment facility. The source of cadmium is not be expected to be as great as projected since the most common source for such discharge is automobiles. It is unlikely that the golf course use will generate the volume of discharge associated with automobile use that the multifamily data presumed. The projected quality of the discharges from this project should be similar to the ambient water quality in Lake Poinsett. In fact, the post- development pollutant loading rates should be better than the pre-development pollutant loading rates. The discharge from the proposed Sabal Hammocks project will not cause or contribute to a violation of state water quality standards in Lake Poinsett nor will the groundwater discharges violate applicable state groundwater quality standards. The floodways and floodplains, and the levels of flood flows or velocities of adjacent water courses will not be altered by the proposed project so as to adversely impact the off- site storage and conveyance capabilities of the water resource. The proposed project will not result in the flow of adjacent water courses to be decreased to cause adverse impacts. The proposed project will not cause hydrologically-related environmental functions to be adversely impacted The proposed project will not endanger life, health, or property. The proposed project will not adversely affect natural resources, fish and wildlife. The proposed project is consistent with the overall objectives of the District.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED: That the governing board of the St. Johns River Water Management District enter a final order approving the application for permit number 4-009-0077AM with the conditions outlined within the District's exhibits numbered 4, 8, and 9 and as previously stated in the notice of intent. DONE and ENTERED this 2 day of July, 1991, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. Joyous D. Parrish Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904)488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 2 day of July, 1991. APPENDIX TO CASE NO. 90-5247 RULINGS ON THE PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT: Paragraphs 1 through 3 are accepted. Paragraph 4 is rejected as irrelevant. Paragraphs 5 and 6 are accepted. The first sentence of paragraph 7 is accepted the remainder is rejected as irrelevant. Paragraph 8 is accepted. Paragraphs 9 through 11 are accepted. Paragraph 12 is rejected as irrelevant. 8 Paragraphs 13 through 21 are accepted. Paragraph 22 is rejected as irrelevant. Paragraphs 23 through 25 are accepted. The last two sentences of paragraph 26 are accepted, the remainder is rejected as irrelevant. Paragraph 27 is accepted. Paragraph 28 is rejected as comment, irrelevant, or unnecessary to the resolution of the issues of this case. Paragraph 29 is accepted. Paragraph 30 is rejected as irrelevant. Paragraph 31 is rejected as argumentative. Paragraphs 32 and 33 are accepted. With regard to paragraph 34 it is accepted that compensating storage was not required. Otherwise, unnecessary, irrelevant, or comment. With regard to paragraph 35, it is accepted the proposed system meets the first 1 inch of runoff requirement otherwise, unnecessary or irrelevant or comment. Paragraph 36 is accepted. Paragraphs 37 through 41 are rejected as irrelevant, argumentative or comment. Paragraphs 42 and 43 are accepted. With the deletion of the last sentence which is irrelevant, paragraph 44 is accepted. Paragraphs 44 through 49 are accepted. The second sentence of paragraph 50 is accepted, the remainder of the paragraph is rejected as irrelevant or contrary to the weight of the evidence. The first sentence of paragraph 51 is accepted, the remainder is rejected as irrelevant or contrary to the weight of the evidence. Paragraphs 52 through 56 are rejected as irrelevant, comment, or recitation of testimony. Paragraph 57 is accepted. Paragraph 58 is accepted. Paragraphs 59 and 60 are rejected as irrelevant, comment, or argumentative. Paragraphs 61 and 62 are accepted. The first sentence of Paragraph 63 is accepted. The remainder of the Paragraph is rejected as contrary to the weight of the evidence. The proposed project will benefit the wetland areas in an unquanitifiable measure due to the enhancements to prior wetlands and the creation of new wetlands. The first sentence of paragraph 64 is accepted. The remainder is rejected as contrary to the weight of the evidence. Paragraph 65 is accepted. Paragraph 66 is rejected as argument or irrelevant. Paragraph 67 is accepted. Paragraphs 68 and 69 are accepted. Paragraph 70 is rejected as irrelevant or contrary to the weight of the evidence. Paragraphs 71 through 73 are accepted. Paragraph 74 is rejected as irrelevant or unnecessary. Paragraphs 75 through 78 are rejected as argument, irrelevant, or unnecessary to the resolution of the issues of this case. Paragraphs 79 through 82 are accepted. Paragraph 83 is rejected as irrelevant. Paragraphs 84 and 85 are rejected as argument or comment. It is accepted that the Corp and DER are aware of the restoration of the dike and that neither has asserted such work was performed contrary to law. Paragraph 86 is rejected as comment on the evidence or irrelevant. It is accepted that the District advised Applicant that he could restore the dike system and that the District was apprised of the completion of that work. With regard to paragraph 87, it is accepted that the restoration of the dike entailed filling the breaches to conform to the dike's original design; otherwise, rejected as irrelevant. Paragraphs 88 and 89 and the first sentence of Paragraph 90 are accepted. The remainder of paragraph 90 and Paragraphs 91 through 93 are rejected as irrelevant, argument, or comment. Paragraph 94 is accepted. RULINGS ON THE PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT SUBMITTED BY THE DISTRICT: Paragraphs 1 through 78 is accepted. Paragraph 79 is rejected as argumentative. Paragraph 80 is accepted. RULINGS ON THE PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT SUBMITTED BY SAVE: None submitted. COPIES FURNISHED: Mary D. Hansen 1600 S. Clyde Morris Boulevard Suite 300 Daytona Beach, Florida 32119 Brain D.E. Canter HABEN, CULPEPPER, DUNBAR & FRENCH, P.A. 306 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Wayne Flowers Jennifer Burdick St. Johns River Water Management District Post Office Box 1429 Palatka, Florida 32178
The Issue The issue presented here concerns the entitlement of the Petitioner, Turtle Lake Land Trust, to be permitted by the Respondent, State of Florida, Department of Environmental Regulation, to dredge approximately 600,000 cubic yards of material in the area known as Turtle Lake, which is located near Jackson street and Fairfield Drive, Pensacola, Florida. The purpose of this project is to create a manmade lake. The dredged material world be placed on the lake shore.
Findings Of Fact On May 9, 1979, the Respondent, State of Florida, Department of Environmental Regulation, received an environmental permit application from the Petitioner, Turtle Lake Land Trust. The details of that permit application were contained in a form provided by the Department together with attachments to that form. A copy of this permit application may be found as the Respondent's Exhibit No. 2 admitted into evidence. By this application, Turtle Lake requested that it be allowed to dredge approximately 600,000 cubic yards of material in an area known as Turtle Lake, which is located near Jackson Street and Fairfield Drive, Pensacola, Florida. The purpose of the excavation was to establish a manmade lake approximately twelve (12) feet in depth in an area which is a cypress swamp and subject to periodic inundation by water. The materials removed from the dredging would be deposited on the shores of the lake, effectively raising the ground elevation at lakeside. The dredging would intersect the groundwater on the project site. The project is part of an overall development which would involve construction of residential housing and commercial facilities in the vicinity of the lake, with the lake to be used for fishing, sailing and other water recreation. The proposal of the Petitioner was reviewed by the Department and certain timely additional requests were made from the Department to the applicant to provide information necessary to evaluate the request for permit. The exhibits dealing with the request for additional information and responses to those requests may be found as Respondent's Exhibits 3, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11 admitted into evidence. The Department solicited comments from the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission on this subject and the comments were provided by correspondence from the Executive Director of the Commission. These comments may be found in Respondent's Exhibit No. 6 admitted into evidence, which is a copy of those remarks. The Department of Environmental Regulation, in keeping with the provision Subsection 253.124(3), Florida Statutes, performed a biological survey of the project site and submitted it to the Board of County Commissioners of Escambia County, Florida, for the Board's action. A copy of the survey may be found as Respondent's Exhibit No. 7 admitted into evidence. The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, by Resolution dated October 11, 1979, approved the project subject to action by the Respondent and the United States Corps of Engineers. A copy of this Resolution may be found as the Respondent's Exhibit No. 12 admitted into evidence. Upon consideration of the permit request, the Department of Environmental Regulation notified the applicant of its intent to deny the permit request. This Letter of Intent to Deny was issued on January 31, 1980, and a copy of it may be found as Respondent's Exhibit No. 13 admitted into evidence. This matter has been presented for consideration before the State of Florida, Division of Administrative Hearings, upon referral by the Respondent of the original Petition and has been heard after opportunity for and amendment to that Petition. The hearing was conducted on September 23, 1980, as scheduled, in keeping with the provisions of Subsection 120.57(1), Florida Statutes. The project site is located in a cypress swamp which has also been referred to as a cypress head. The southern boundary of the project site east of Fairfield Drive has an impoundment area which is fringed by pine trees and other upland species, to include gallberry, southern brackin, blackberry and oak. There is within this area aquatic vegetation dominated by Eleocharis sp. and fragrant waterlily (nymphaea odorata). The cypress head itself, which is bounded on the west by Fairfield Drive, consists of cypress, blackgum, sweetbay and cinnamon fern, fragrant waterlily and pickerel weed (pontederia lanceolata). Within the zone of the cypress head standing water may be found, the dimensions and depths of which were not established at the hearing in sufficient detail to allow further comment in these findings. Fairfield Drive serves to contain the water found in the Turtle Lake swamp on the eastern side of that roadway; however, there is an exit from the cypress head under Fairfield Drive by a series of three 24-inch culverts which connect the manmade ditches. These ditches flow into Bayou Marcus and Bayou Marcus Creek and eventually into Perdido Bay. This water connection is a direct connection and Bayou Marcus, Bayou Marcus Creek and Perdido Bay are waters of the State. Immediately adjacent to Fairfield Drive east of that roadway in the vicinity the culverts water may be found standing and could be navigated and this may be seen by Respondent's Composite Exhibit No. 14. This water which although subject to navigation wad not identified sufficiently at the hearing to establish its length and breadth. The depth was two to three feet. This water adjacent to Fairfield Drive is not within that area of the proposed excavation. At present, the storm water runoff from the Forte subdivision located to the north and east of the project site, enters the cypress head swamp and at times of periodic inundation, this storm water runoff arrives at the area of the culverts into the ditch system and into Bayou Marcus, Bayou Marcus Creek and Perdido Bay. The oils and greases, fertilizers, pesticides, nutrients and other forms of pollutants which make up the storm water constituents are somewhat filtered by the cypress head swamp as it now exists, prior to the entry of those materials into the culvert area adjacent to Fairfield Drive and from there into the transport mechanism constituted of the ditches, bayou, creek and bay. If the project is built out, the dredging will remove those flora mentioned herein and the fauna which inhabit this swamp and will remove the cypress head from future use by the fauna which normally inhabit this form of environment. It would also take away the natural filtration to be provided by the swamp in the way of removing undesirable storm water constituents from the residential runoff in Forte subdivision and the proposed development associated with the lake construction. The removal of the swamp would destroy the capacity to convert raw nutrients into usable sources of food for indigenous dawn stream organisms. As can be seen in the Petitioner's Exhibit No. 1, the existing water table at the site is approximately 23 feet and ordinary highwater elevation has been measured at 24 feet with an existing grade of 21 feet. If the lake were excavated, the lake would show a water table with an elevation of 20 feet. The berm or dykes around the lake would have an elevation of 24 feet. Storm water from the current subdivision and the residential and commercial build-out associated with the project in question would be carried through underground storm water piping into four holding areas which have been referred to by the applicant as drainage corridors and retention area. These areas are separated from the lake by siltation screens and will serve the function of filtering out some storm water constituents which are solid particulates. The constituents which have been dissolved will flow through the siltation screen devices and into the lake proper. When the lake rises to a depth of 23 feet, the excess water will he transported through a proposed ditch into the area of the three culverts under Fairfield Drive and via those manmade conveyances into Bayou Marcus, Bayou Marcus Creek and Perdido Bay. Those storm water constituents such as oils and greases, fertilizers, pesticides, nutrients and other forms of pollutants which have not settled or been filtered will be transported through this system and deposited into waters of the State. In this connection, the drainage corridor and retention areas are not designed for long-term retention; they are primarily for short-term detention, depending on the amount of loading from the storm water runoff. The only pre-treatment associated with the storm water runoff is that filtration that occurs in the drainage corridor and retention area. (There was some discussion of possible gravel filters in conjunction with the drainage corridor and retention area but they were not part of the plan submitted to the Department in the process of project review.) In addition to the introduction of the storm water contaminants into the waters adjacent to Fairfield Drive at the area of the culverts and the bayou, creek and bay, these contaminants will be introduced into the ground water in the lake proper Although some increase in retention of storm water runoff may be expected, if the project were built, there would be a significant increase in the introduction of dissolved contaminants into waters over which the Respondent has jurisdiction, i.e., Bayou Marcus, Bayou Marcus Creek and Perdido Bay. Increases in these areas will occur in biochemical oxygen demand and undesirable nutrient and dissolved oxygen levels will decrease if this project is constructed. In association with this change, an increase in nuisance species would occur. The Petitioner has failed to do any background sampling to establish the natural background levels of the aforementioned conditions in waters of the State in order to identify whether water quality in the receiving waters would be degraded from existing conditions to the extent of violating the Department's water quality criteria.
Recommendation Based upon a full consideration of the facts as presented and the Conclusions of Law reached in this matter, it is RECOMMENDED that the Secretary of the State of Florida, Department of Environmental Regulation, deny the Petitioner a dredge and fill permit pursuant to Rule 17-4.28, Florida Administrative Code; a construction, operating and maintenance permit pursuant to Section 403.087, Florida Statutes; a ground water permit in accordance with Rules 17-3.071, Florida Administrative Code, and 17- 4.245, Florida Administrative Code; and be it further RECOMMENDED that the Secretary take no further action to require a permit(s) as might be indicated in keeping with Chapter 253, Florida statutes. 1/ DONE AND ENTERED this 22nd day of October, 1980, in Tallahassee, Florida. CHARLES C. ADAMS Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Collins Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 22nd day of October, 1980.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner, John H. Phipps Broadcasting Stations, Inc., owns approximately 10,600 acres of land bordering on Lake Jackson. The corporation owns roughly seventy percent of the waterfront property around Lake Jackson. The corporation's land is used for agriculture. Less than ten percent of the land is used in a minor grain operation involving the interspersion of cover via several small grain fields. Most of these grain fields are in self-contained basins creating no erosion or runoff problems. These fields are conducive to the propagation of wildlife, particularly quail and deer. The grain produced by these fields is used, at least in part, in the corporation's cattle operation. Approximately twenty-five percent of the corporation's land is used in a cattle breeding operation involving three to five hundred head of cattle. No feed lot operation is involved. The cattle are in pastures, the majority of which are bounded by the waters of Lake Jackson. The corporation fences to and into the water because of the fluctuating level of Lake Jackson and the necessity to contain their cattle. This practice has been ongoing for more than twenty-nine years. The corporation presently has no permits of an environmental nature in connection with the cattle operation. The testimony by Petitioner's witnesses is that the pasture cattle operation is very conducive to good water quality because it captures runoff and allows it to percolate. The remainder of the corporation's land is used in a timber operation which includes controlled burning to help contain erosion. Witnesses for Petitioner corporation testified that the water quality of Lake Jackson bordering the corporation's land is excellent. A high priority of the agricultural operation of the corporation is the maintenance of good water quality in Lake Jackson. Activities are not permitted on the corporation's land that degrade the water quality of the lake. Attempts are made to keep runoff from the lake. The evidence indicates that there are no discharges of water from the corporation's lands into Lake Jackson other than natural runoff. The testimony presented by Petitioner corporation at the final hearing was that the corporation intends to continue using the property as it is presently used and has no tentative plans for a different use of the property. Petitioner, Colin S. Phipps, owns approximately 1,000 acres bordering in part on Lake Jackson. He is also president of John H. Phipps Broadcasting Stations, Inc. Colin S. Phipps rents his acreage and shooting rights to an individual who farms the acreage. He testified that nothing was done on the property that presently requires permits from the Department of Environmental Regulation. John H. Phipps and John E. Phipps personally own parcels of land bordering on Lake Jackson. The three individual petitioners in this cause are officers of the corporate Petitioner. No evidence was presented to show activities on behalf of the petitioners on their property other than that set forth above. Further, it was the position of the petitioners that they did not foresee a change in the activities presently occurring on their property. It was their position that they had no tentative future plans for the property. They did indicate that they did not know what the future might bring. An experienced and qualified appraiser appeared on behalf of petitioners and testified that he had read the rules being challenged in this cause, was familiar with the subject property, and that in his opinion the vagueness of the proposed rules would dramatically and adversely affect the value of Petitioners' land. There are several problems with this opinion testimony. The witness did not testify that he had appraised the property. Rather, he testified that he was very familiar with the property. Thus, his testimony on the value of the land is speculation, albeit knowledgeable speculation, rather than the considered expert opinion of an appraiser. Further, the witness' opinion was based on his reading as a layman of the proposed rules and his speculation of their effect on the real estate market in which the subject lands might be offered for sale. The Hearing Officer found that the witness was a qualified appraiser with experience in appraising the economic impact of environmental regulations on waterfront property. Nevertheless, his interpretation of the proposed rules carries with it no aura of correctness for he is not, and, perhaps as all of us, cannot be, an expert in the interpretation of rules. The rules must speak for themselves and the witness can only speculate on the effect of different interpretations which might be given the rules. Therefore, the Hearing Officer concludes that the opinion of the witness is so speculative that his testimony is incompetent to support findings of fact as to the effect of the proposed regulations on the market value of Petitioners' real property.
The Issue The issue to be determined by this Order is whether the Request for Administrative Hearing filed by Petitioner with the Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) on February 15, 2013, was timely1/ and, if not, whether the application of the doctrine of equitable tolling would serve to relieve Petitioner of the consequences of having failed to file a petition for hearing within the time allotted by applicable notice provisions.
Findings Of Fact The Parties Petitioner, SRQUS, LLC, is an active Florida, limited- liability corporation, and is the owner of submerged lands and adjacent upland property contiguous to Sarasota Bay. Petitioner is a closely held entity, the only members being Achim and Erika Ginsberg-Klemmt. Respondent, Department of Environmental Protection, is an agency of the State of Florida having jurisdiction for permitting Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), including duties as a federally-approved state program for the implementation of the Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program, pursuant to authority conferred under section 403.0885, Florida Statutes. Respondents, Sarasota County, City of Sarasota, City of Venice, Town of Longboat Key, and Department of Transportation (“DOT”) (collectively the “Applicants”) are responsible for certain existing stormwater point-source discharges to waters of the state from those portions of MS4 facilities owned or operated by one or more of the individual Applicants. The DEP issued a notice of proposed agency action to issue a renewal of an existing MS4 Permit to the Applicants. On January 30, 2013, Sarasota County arranged for the notice to be published in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, which is a newspaper of general circulation in Sarasota County. The notice provided as follows: STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE PERMIT AND REQUEST FOR ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice of its intent to issue a permit to Sarasota County, 1660 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34236 within its jurisdiction and including the following co- permittees: Florida Department of Transportation District One, Town of Longboat Key, City of North Port, City of Sarasota, and City of Venice, for renewal of a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System [MS4] permit. Any person whose substantial interests are affected by the proposed permitting decision of the Department may petition for an administrative hearing in accordance with Sections 120.569 and 120.57 of the Florida Statutes (F.S.). The petition must contain the information set forth below and must be filed (received) in the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of General Counsel, Mail Station 35, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000. Petitions must be filed within fourteen days of publication of this public notice or within fourteen days of receipt of the notice of intent, whichever occurs first. A petitioner must mail a copy of the petition to the applicant at the address indicated above, at the time of filing. The failure of any person to file a petition [or a request for mediation, as discussed below] within the appropriate time period shall constitute a waiver of that person?s right to request an administrative determination (hearing) under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S., or to intervene in this proceeding and participate as a party to it. Any subsequent intervention will be only at the discretion of the presiding officer upon the filing of a motion in compliance with Rule 28-5.207 of the Florida Administrative Code. A petition must contain the following information: The name, address and telephone number of each petitioner, the Department Permit Number and the county in which the MS4 is located; A statement of how and when each petitioner received notice of the Department?s action; A statement of how each petitioner?s substantial interests are affected by the Department?s action; A statement of the material facts disputed by the petitioner, if any; A statement of facts that the petitioner contends warrant reversal or modification of the Department?s action; A statement of which rules or statutes the petitioner contends require reversal or modification of the Department?s action; and A statement of the relief sought by the petitioner, stating precisely the action that the petitioner wants the Department to take. Because the administrative hearing process is designed to formulate final agency action, the filing of a petition means that the final action of the Department may be different from the position taken by it in the notice of intent. Persons whose substantial interests will be affected by any such final decision of the Department on the permit revision have the right to petition to become a party to the proceeding, in accordance with the requirements set forth above. Mediation under Section 120.573, F.S. is not available for this proceeding. The permit application file and supporting data are available for public inspection during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, at Department of Environmental Protection, NPDES Stormwater Section, 2600 Blair Stone Rd. Room 560, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, phone number (850) 245-8430. Date of pub. January 30, 2013. Because a portion of the Town of Longboat Key extends into Manatee County, the Town of Longboat Key arranged for the notice to be published in the Bradenton Herald, which is a newspaper of general circulation in Manatee County. The notice was published on February 4, 2013. The substance of the notice, except for the date of publication, was identical to that published in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Neither Petitioner, nor its representatives, saw either of the published notices prior to the filing of the Petition. On or about February 8, 2012, as a result of the filing of a pre-hearing stipulation in related litigation involving an Environmental Resource Permit (“ERP”) issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (“SWFWMD”), Petitioner became aware of the existence of the MS4 Permit. Erika Ginsberg-Klemmt obtained a copy of the permit online, and on February 12, 2013, sent an e-mail to employees of the DEP Ft. Myers? office expressing her general concern with water quality from the disputed stormwater outfall. She expressed her belief that Sarasota County was in violation of the existing MS4 permit, and requested that the recipients of her e-mail “[p]lease be so kind as to look into this matter and let us know what could be done to prevent this unacceptable condition to continue unchecked like it did in the past.” The e-mail did not request any information regarding the MS4 Permit renewal application, nor did it request any information regarding notices or deadlines related to the application. On February 13, 2013, Christopher Wright, a consultant for Petitioner, called the DEP to gather information and do some “legwork” related to Petitioner?s challenge to the SWFWMD?s ERP. The purpose of the call was to determine if information submitted to the DEP in conjunction with the MS4 application, particularly drainage basin maps, could have been of use in the SWFWMD litigation. Mr. Wright spoke with DEP employee, Heather Ritchie, regarding the drainage basin maps that had been submitted to the DEP. During the course of their discussion, Ms. Ritchie advised Mr. Wright that a Notice of Intent to issue the MS4 Permit had been issued by the DEP. However, Ms. Ritchie did not know when Sarasota County had published the notice or when the deadline for challenging the proposed agency action was to run. In short, Ms. Ritchie expressed to Mr. Wright that “she didn?t know what the status of things were.” The discussion then went back to the primary substance of the call, which was watersheds and discharge points. Ms. Ritchie agreed to provide Mr. Wright with an electronic copy of a drainage map from the MS4 Permit file. At 12:43 p.m., on February 13, 2013, Ms. Ritchie sent a map to Mr. Wright via e-mail, and indicated that “[i]f you have additional questions or comments, you may call or e-mail me.” Later on the afternoon of February 13, 2013, Mr. Wright decided that he should ask Ms. Ritchie for a copy of the Notice of Intent. At 5:59 p.m., on February 13, 2013, after the close of business for the day, Mr. Wright wrote to Ms. Ritchie thanking her for her “rapid response to my inquiry today,” and providing her with comments on various basin areas and discharge structures. Mr. Wright concluded his e-mail by stating that “at this time I would also like to request a copy of the Notice of Intent to Issue the MS4 Permit.” The next morning, February 14, 2013, Ms. Ritchie provided Mr. Wright with the Notice of Intent to Issue the MS4 Permit as requested. Later that morning, Mr. Wright inquired as to the time for filing a challenge to the permit. Ms. Ritchie replied at 2:34 p.m. that afternoon that the MS4 Permit “was publicly noticed by the county on January 30th with a 14 day window. The window closed yesterday.” There is no evidence that Ms. Ritchie had any specific information as to the date of publication or the deadline for filing a challenge prior to that communication with Mr. Wright. Petitioner filed the Petition on February 15, 2013. The disputes identified in the Petition were directed exclusively at a 46-acre drainage basin in downtown Sarasota, and a related discharge structure that discharges stormwater from the basin to Sarasota Bay just south of the intersection of U.S. Highway 41 and Fruitville Road. The disputed basin and discharge point are located in Sarasota County.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that Respondent, Department of Environmental Protection, issue a final order dismissing Petitioner?s Request for Hearing and Amended Petition for FLS000004-004 on the ground that the Petition was not timely filed. DONE AND ENTERED this 18th day of October, 2013, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S E. GARY EARLY Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 18th day of October, 2013.
