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What is the Environmental Resource Permit Program (ERP)?
The Environmental Resource Permit Program regulates
activities involving the alteration of surface water flows. This
includes new activities in uplands that generate stormwater runoff from
upland construction, as well as dredging and filling in wetlands and
other surface waters. Two wetlands regulatory programs exist at the
state level: a dredge and fill (wetland resource) permit program (WRP)
within the limits of the Northwest Water Management District and an
environmental resource permit (ERP) program throughout the rest of the
state. Environmental Resource Permit applications are processed by
either the Department or one of the state's water management districts,
in accordance with the division of responsibilities specified in
operating agreements between the Department and the water management
districts. The Environmental Resource Permit Program is in effect
throughout the State except for the Florida panhandle (within the limits
of the Northwest Florida Water Management District).
What is the Wetland Resource Permitting Program (WRP)?
The Wetland Resource Permit program for the Florida panhandle
is implemented by the FLDEP and regulates dredging and filling in waters
of the state, which generally consist of waters connected to other
“named” waters, including lakes of more than ten acres in size, but
excluding isolated wetlands.1 The Northwest ERP rulemaking was authorized
through amendments to S. 373.4145, F.S. in the 2006 legislative session
to develop rules addressing stormwater quality and quantity. Rules for
the Northwest ERP stormwater program were effective October 1, 2007.
Additionally, the remaining components of the comprehensive ERP program,
including isolated wetlands, are currently being written and are
scheduled for completion no sooner than January 2008.
Local
Program Delegation
To
implement this statutory authority, the Department
adopted a rule, Chapter 62-344 of the Florida
Administrative Code, to guide local governments in the
application process, and the criteria that will be used
to approve or deny a delegation request.
Permitting
Activities in conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers
For more detailed information on
permitting please
go to the
Summary of the
Wetland and Other Surface Water Regulatory and Proprietary Programs.
1It should be noted that a separate stormwater program also regulates construction
of new sources of stormwater runoff throughout the panhandle. See FL. ADMIN. CODE § 62-25.
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