In good news for Florida's timberlands owners, the Florida Forestry Association reports:
The $250 fee for receiving a permit from the state's Water Management Districts (WMDs) for certain forestry-related activities is being eliminated with the adoption by Florida DEP of a revised environmental permitting system. Forestry activities, such as fill-road construction and stream crossings, that formerly required a "Noticed General Permit" (NGP) now qualify for the new "No-Fee Noticed Exemption for Minor Silvicultural Surface Water Management Systems" (Rule Number 62-330.0511 F.A.C). This new rule goes into effect on October 1, 2013, in each of the five WMDs. It's important to note that this very positive regulatory change is the direct result of FFA's Environmental Committee meeting with DEP officials last year to discuss the way silviculture was being regulated by the WMDs.Review the full rule and all the activities for which there will no longer be a fee here.
