FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2005
CONTACT: Cragin Mosteller, (850) 245-2112
DEP Provides Emergency Relief For Hurricane Rita
--Authorization covers two counties to expedite recovery--
TALLAHASSEE – To protect public health and
safety, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Secretary Colleen M. Castille yesterday signed an
Emergency Final Order in response to Hurricane Rita. The
Order provides relief from many of the Department’s
regulatory requirements to minimize environmental
hazards and accelerate restoration in areas of
Miami-Dade and Monroe counties impacted by the storm,
which swept across areas of South Florida yesterday.
“This emergency authorization will bring faster
relief to the communities of South Florida as they
recover from Hurricane Rita,” said DEP Secretary
Castille. “By reducing regulatory process and increasing
flexibility, affected communities will be able to
recover from damages and restore critical services
quickly.”
The emergency authorization applies to governments,
businesses and property owners in Miami-Dade and Monroe
counties, allowing immediate repair of certain damaged
structures without prior Department notification. The
Order will expedite the repair of any damaged drinking
water and wastewater facilities, along with cleanup of
hurricane-generated debris and the restoration of
natural areas such as dune systems, waterways and
wetlands.
Field authorizations will be required to replace
destroyed structures; alter mangroves; restore uplands,
wetlands and submerged lands unless by a local, regional
or State government; and for other DEP-authorized
activities not specified in the Order.
The amended emergency authorization will expire on
November 18, 2005 unless modified or extended by further
order. For a copy of the Emergency Final Order, visit
http://www.floridadep.org/ .
###
|
