State 404 Program Public Webinar - Part 1

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invites you to attend a two-part public webinar series. These webinars will present information about Florida's preparations to assume administration of the dredge and fill permitting program under Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act for certain wetlands and other surface waters in the state. Please join DEP staff for these two informational and question and answer sessions. DEP submitted Florida's assumption package to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Aug. 20, 2020. It is anticipated that EPA will make a decision on Florida's assumption request by Dec. 17, 2020. The decision must then be published by EPA in the Federal Register. If the decision is for Florida to assume the program, DEP is prepared to implement the program as early as the first week of January 2021. The webinar content will be tailored to future applicants and environmental professionals who may submit applications on behalf of clients if Florida's program is approved; however, all interested parties are invited to attend. Part 1 will include general information about Florida's proposed program. DEP staff will cover 404 program components including rules, memoranda of agreement/understanding and operating agreements between DEP and EPA, USACE, Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Information will also be presented about program jurisdiction, state-assumed and USACE-retained waters, and types of authorization. To register for Part 1, please visit: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8976855343553035533. Part 2 will be held on Dec. 14, 2020. Please see the calendar item on that date for more information and registration link. If you have questions about the webinars or need registration assistance, please email staff at: State_404@FloridaDEP.gov.