Bill Text: FL S2000 | 2010 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Seaports [WPSC]

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-04-28 - Placed on Special Order Calendar; Read 2nd time -SJ 00933; Amendment(s) adopted (800090, 594120, 312540) -SJ 00933; Substituted CS/CS/CS/HB 963 -SJ 00933; Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/CS/HB 963 (Ch. 2010-201) -SJ 00933 [S2000 Detail]

Download: Florida-2010-S2000-Comm_Sub.html
 
Florida Senate - 2010                             CS for SB 2000 
 
By the Committee on Commerce; and Senator Ring 
577-02767-10                                          20102000c1 
1                        A bill to be entitled 
2         An act relating to seaports; creating s. 311.06, F.S.; 
3         providing legislative intent; authorizing certain 
4         ports to submit a port master plan to the Department 
5         of Environmental Protection entitling a port to the 
6         summary issuance of certain final permits; defining 
7         terms; specifying the required contents of a port 
8         master plan; specifying methods by which an applicant 
9         port may demonstrate compliance with the regulatory 
10         requirements of the Department of Environmental 
11         Protection; specifying interests that the Department 
12         of Environmental Protection must balance in approving 
13         or denying a port master plan authorization; 
14         specifying the requirements for a final permit or 
15         authorization for an activity in a port master plan 
16         authorization; specifying procedures for the approval 
17         or denial of a port master plan or final permit or 
18         authorization; amending s. 311.09, F.S.; requiring the 
19         Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic 
20         Development Council to submit certain information to 
21         the Department of Transportation for inclusion in its 
22         annual legislative budget request; requiring the 
23         council to allocate funds to seaports for specified 
24         projects contingent upon appropriation; amending s. 
25         403.061, F.S.; removing the requirement to enter into 
26         memoranda of agreement with the Florida Ports Council 
27         from the authority granted to the Department of 
28         Environmental Protection to provide supplemental 
29         permitting processes for the issuance of certain 
30         permits; providing an effective date. 
31 
32  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 
33 
34         Section 1. Section 311.106, Florida Statutes, is created to 
35  read: 
36         311.106Port master plan authorization.— 
37         (1) The Legislature finds that seaport facilities are 
38  critical infrastructure facilities that significantly support 
39  the economic development of this state. The Legislature further 
40  finds that it is a necessity to provide a method of priority 
41  permit review which allows seaports in this state to become 
42  internationally competitive. 
43         (2) For the purposes of this section, the term: 
44         (a) “Department” means the Department of Environmental 
45  Protection. 
46         (b) “Port master plan authorization” means an entitlement 
47  of a port to the summary issuance of a final permit or 
48  authorization to conduct activities or construct facilities or 
49  developments described in the port master plan authorization. 
50  The authorization is valid for as long as the authorized 
51  activities occur or the facilities or developments exist. A port 
52  master plan authorization is final, but does not authorize any 
53  development to occur. A port master plan authorization 
54  constitutes compliance with the state’s water quality 
55  certification for purposes of s. 401 of the Clean Water Act, and 
56  the state’s determination that the activities contained in the 
57  authorized port master plan are consistent with this state’s 
58  federally approved coastal zone management program. 
59         (3)A port authority having jurisdiction over any port 
60  listed in s. 403.021(9)(b), or any other person or legal entity 
61  having a controlling interest in property that is or will be 
62  used predominantly for purposes directly related to deepwater 
63  commercial navigation at any port listed in s. 403.021(9)(b), 
64  may submit by application a port master plan to the department 
65  in order to receive a port master plan authorization. A port 
66  master plan may, but need not be, a port master plan that has 
67  been incorporated into the appropriate local government 
68  comprehensive plan pursuant to s. 163.3178(2)(k). 
69         (a) The port master plan must include projections of costs, 
70  revenue, and job creation for any proposed development. 
71         (b) When the port master plan is submitted to the 
72  department, the plan must include all available information, 
73  except for final design specifications and drawings, required by 
74  other applicable laws for the department to issue the permit or 
75  authorization requested. 
76         (c) When the port master plan is submitted to the 
77  department, the plan must include all available information 
78  necessary for the department to determine whether the plan is 
79  consistent with this state’s federally approved coastal zone 
80  management program. 
81         (4) The information required by paragraphs (3)(a)-(c) must 
82  include: 
83         (a) The size of proposed impervious surfaces; 
84         (b) A description of the design approach for storm water 
85  treatment facilities; 
86         (c) An explanation of how the proposed future activities 
87  will be constructed and operated so as to not cause or 
88  contribute to any violations of any applicable water quality 
89  standards; 
90         (d) An explanation of how, by balancing the factors in s. 
91  373.414(1)(a), the proposed future activity is: 
92         1. Not contrary to the public interest; or 
93         2. Clearly in the public interest if the proposed future 
94  activity is located within an Outstanding Florida Water; 
95         (e) The overall size of the future facilities; 
96         (f) The acreage and type of jurisdictional wetlands to be 
97  impacted by the proposed future facilities; 
98         (g) The uniform mitigation assessment method scores for all 
99  wetlands to be disturbed which are under the jurisdiction of the 
100  United States Army Corps of Engineers; 
101         (h) A qualitative mitigation approach to offset any loss of 
102  wetland function resulting from the construction of the future 
103  facilities; 
104         (i) To the extent required by the department’s substantive 
105  standards, a qualitative characterization of the proposed 
106  approach to treatment methods for a discharge of wastewater from 
107  a point source or emissions of pollutants from a stationary 
108  source; 
109         (j) The size, location, and description of any waters 
110  proposed to be filled, including qualitative benthic surveys, 
111  the source or type of fill, and methods to be used to control 
112  turbidity; 
113         (k) The size, location, and descriptions of any areas to be 
114  dredged, including qualitative benthic surveys, dredging methods 
115  to be used, methods to be used to control turbidity, and 
116  location and a description of the spoil disposal site and return 
117  water discharge; 
118         (l) A qualitative characterization of, a description of the 
119  management of, and a description of methods available for the 
120  disposal of solid wastes expected to be generated at the 
121  proposed future facilities; 
122         (m) The potential adverse effect, if any, of the proposed 
123  future facilities on animal species listed on the federal list 
124  of endangered and threatened wildlife and plants and a 
125  description of management or mitigation techniques to minimize 
126  or eliminate any such effects; 
127         (n) A description of why and how the proposed future 
128  activities will not result in any unacceptable secondary or 
129  cumulative impacts; 
130         (o) An explanation of how the proposed future activity will 
131  comply with the standards contained in s. 161.053 to the extent 
132  applicable; and 
133         (p) An explanation of the form of an authorization to use 
134  sovereign submerged lands which will be required for the 
135  proposed facilities and, to the extent required by chapter 253, 
136  an explanation of how the future activity qualifies for the 
137  authorizations. 
138         (5) An applicant for a port master plan authorization must 
139  demonstrate compliance with the department’s regulatory 
140  requirements by: 
141         (a) Including all information required to demonstrate 
142  compliance with the department’s regulatory requirements as part 
143  of the port master plan authorization application before the 
144  approval of the port master plan. 
145         (b) Submitting all of the information required to 
146  demonstrate compliance with the department’s regulatory 
147  requirements for a port master plan authorization as a part of a 
148  request for a final permit or authorization and before any 
149  construction activities. If an applicant chooses this method of 
150  demonstrating compliance with the department’s regulatory 
151  requirements, the department must include conditions in the port 
152  master plan authorization specifying the additional information 
153  that must be submitted as part of a request for a final permit 
154  or authorization. 
155         (6) In determining whether to issue a port master plan 
156  authorization, the department shall review the port master plan 
157  submitted by a port for compliance with the standards of a joint 
158  coastal permit pursuant to s. 161.055, an environmental resource 
159  permit pursuant to part IV of chapter 373, a sovereign submerged 
160  lands authorization pursuant to chapter 253, or any combination 
161  of these permits and authorizations, as applicable. A port 
162  master plan submitted to the department for review must specify 
163  which of these permits or authorizations apply to the port 
164  master plan. 
165         (7)(a) In determining whether a port master plan 
166  authorization shall be approved in whole, approved with 
167  modifications or conditions, or denied, the department shall 
168  effect a reasonable balance between: 
169         1. The need for the facility and its potential benefits; 
170  and 
171         2. The impacts upon air and water quality, fish and 
172  wildlife, water resources, and other natural resources of the 
173  state resulting from the construction and operation of the 
174  facility. 
175         (b) In effecting such a balance, the department must 
176  consider whether, and the extent to which, the location, 
177  construction, and operation of the proposed future port 
178  facilities will, after any final permits or authorizations are 
179  issued: 
180         1. Provide operational safeguards that are technically 
181  sufficient for the public welfare and protection; 
182         2. Meet the seaport infrastructure needs of the state in an 
183  orderly, reliable, and timely fashion; 
184         3. Minimize, through the use of reasonable and available 
185  methods, the adverse effects on human health, the environment, 
186  and wildlife, including aquatic life; 
187         4. Serve and protect the broad interests of the public; and 
188         5. Comply with the department’s regulatory requirements 
189  established by statute or rule, excluding any provisions 
190  prescribing forms, fees, procedures, or time limits for the 
191  review or processing of information submitted to demonstrate 
192  compliance with such regulatory requirements. 
193         (8) After a port master plan authorization is issued, a 
194  permit or authorization for activities approved in the port 
195  master plan authorization may be requested. The request must 
196  provide final construction plans and details about the 
197  activities actually proposed. 
198         (9) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the 
199  following procedures apply to the approval or denial of an 
200  application for a port master plan authorization or a final 
201  permit or authorization: 
202         (a) The department shall issue or deny an application for a 
203  port master plan authorization or final permit or authorization 
204  pursuant to s. 120.60. However, if the department determines 
205  that an application or request is incomplete, it may request 
206  additional information only twice, except as provided in this 
207  paragraph. An application or request is deemed complete upon the 
208  earlier of: the receipt of all the information necessary to 
209  process the application or the request; or the receipt of a 
210  response to the department’s second request for additional 
211  information. The department may request additional information 
212  more than two times only if the department first demonstrates by 
213  clear and convincing evidence to an administrative law judge, 
214  appointed by the Director of the Division of Administrative 
215  Hearings, that the applicant has failed to fully respond to its 
216  second request for additional information. Unless waived by the 
217  applicant, an administrative law judge appointed to make such a 
218  determination shall issue a final order determining whether the 
219  application for a port master plan authorization is complete 
220  within 45 days after the department requests such a 
221  determination. 
222         (b) Upon the issuance of the department’s notice of intent 
223  to issue or deny a port master plan authorization, the applicant 
224  shall publish a notice of such intent, prepared by the 
225  department, one time only in the largest newspaper of general 
226  circulation in the county or counties where the port is located. 
227         (c) A person who will be substantially affected by the 
228  proposed action must initiate administrative proceedings, 
229  pursuant to ss. 120.569 and 120.57, within 14 days after the 
230  publication of the notice of the proposed action. 
231         (d) If administrative proceedings are requested, the 
232  approval or denial of any port master plan authorization is 
233  subject to the summary hearing provisions of s. 120.574. 
234  However, if the decision of an administrative law judge will be 
235  a recommended order, rather than a final order, a summary 
236  proceeding must be conducted within 90 days after a party files 
237  a motion for a summary hearing, regardless of whether the 
238  parties agree to the summary proceeding. 
239         (e) Upon request, the department shall issue a final permit 
240  or authorization if the proposed activities and facilities are 
241  consistent with the activities and facilities described in an 
242  approved port master plan authorization and upon the receipt of 
243  all information required by any conditions in the approved port 
244  master plan authorization. The purpose of a request for final 
245  permit or authorization is solely for the department to monitor 
246  compliance with the approved port master plan authorization. 
247  Consequently, a final permit or authorization issued following 
248  the approval of a port master plan authorization does not 
249  constitute agency action as defined in s. 120.52 and is not 
250  subject to ss. 120.569 and 120.57, and paragraphs (b)-(d) do not 
251  apply to a request for final permit or authorization. 
252         (f) If the activities or facilities proposed in a request 
253  for a final permit or authorization are inconsistent with the 
254  activities and facilities described in an approved port master 
255  plan authorization, the procedures to process an application 
256  prescribed by other law apply, unless the inconsistency is 
257  deemed by the department to be de minimis. 
258         Section 2. Subsection (10) of section 311.09, Florida 
259  Statutes, is amended to read: 
260         311.09 Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic 
261  Development Council.— 
262         (10) The Department of Transportation shall include in its 
263  annual legislative budget request a Florida Seaport 
264  Transportation and Economic Development grant program for 
265  expenditure of funds of not less than $8 million per year. Such 
266  budget shall include funding for projects approved by the 
267  council which have been determined by each agency to be 
268  consistent and which have been determined by the Office of 
269  Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to be economically 
270  beneficial. The council shall may submit to the department a 
271  list of approved projects that could be made production-ready 
272  within the next 5 2 years following the end of the current 
273  fiscal year. The list shall be submitted by the department as 
274  part of its annual legislative budget request for seaport 
275  economic development projects submitted the needs and project 
276  list prepared pursuant to s. 339.135(2) 339.135. However, the 
277  department may not require the identification or funding of a 
278  specific project as part of its legislative budget request. 
279  Contingent upon legislative appropriation each year, the council 
280  shall allocate funds to seaports for approved projects that 
281  improve the movement and intermodal transportation of cargo or 
282  passengers in commerce and trade and that support the interests, 
283  purposes, and requirements of ports located in this state. 
284         Section 3. Subsections (37) and (38) of section 403.061, 
285  Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 
286         403.061 Department; powers and duties.—The department shall 
287  have the power and the duty to control and prohibit pollution of 
288  air and water in accordance with the law and rules adopted and 
289  promulgated by it and, for this purpose, to: 
290         (37) Provide Enter into a memorandum of agreement with the 
291  Florida Ports Council which provides a supplemental permitting 
292  process for the issuance of a joint coastal permit pursuant to 
293  s. 161.055 or environmental resource permit pursuant to part IV 
294  of chapter 373, to a port listed in s. 311.09(1), for 
295  maintenance dredging and the management of dredged materials 
296  from maintenance dredging of all navigation channels, port 
297  harbors, turning basins, and harbor berths. Such permit shall be 
298  issued for a period of 5 years and shall be annually extended 
299  for an additional year if the port is in compliance with all 
300  permit conditions at the time of extension. The department is 
301  authorized to adopt rules to implement this subsection. 
302         (38) Provide Enter into a memorandum of agreement with the 
303  Florida Ports Council which provides a supplemental permitting 
304  process for the issuance of a conceptual joint coastal permit 
305  pursuant to s. 161.055 or environmental resource permit pursuant 
306  to part IV of chapter 373, to a port listed in s. 311.09(1), for 
307  dredging and the management of materials from dredging and for 
308  other related activities necessary for development, including 
309  the expansion of navigation channels, port harbors, turning 
310  basins, harbor berths, and associated facilities. Such permit 
311  shall be issued for a period of up to 15 years. The department 
312  is authorized to adopt rules to implement this subsection. 
313  The department shall implement such programs in conjunction with 
314  its other powers and duties and shall place special emphasis on 
315  reducing and eliminating contamination that presents a threat to 
316  humans, animals or plants, or to the environment. 
317         Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010. 
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