Permitting

Public participation in the permitting process

Public input is an important part of the St. Johns River Water Management District’s permitting process. The following information explains how and when the public can become engaged.

The process

The District issues Consumptive Use Permits (CUPs) that authorize water use and Environmental Resource Permits (ERPs) that ensure proper management of storm water and protection of wetlands. District staff may issue certain types of these permits, which are called “standard” or “general” permits. Other permits are considered for approval by the District’s Governing Board or the Executive Director or his designee, and those permits are called “individual” permits. The District’s Governing Board considers all permit applications recommended for denial.

Consumptive Use Permits

If any of the following apply, a CUP application is designated as an individual permit and the District’s Governing Board will take action to approve or deny the application.

• The use of water exceeds 500,000 gallons per day on an average annual basis.
• The application is the subject of an administrative proceeding.
• There is a timely substantial objection to a standard or general permit application. (A substantial objection is a written statement that identifies the objector, concerns hydrologic or environmental impacts and relates to applicable CUP rule criteria. A substantial objection is considered “timely” when it is received by the District within 14 days of notification of the application.)

The public is welcome to provide in-person input on permit applications being considered by the Governing Board. Governing Board meeting agendas are available at least seven days prior to the meetings.

Environmental Resource Permits

If any of the following apply, an ERP application is designated as an individual permit and will be considered for approval by the District’s Executive Director or his designee. The District’s Governing Board will consider all ERP permit applications recommended for denial.

• The surface water management system serves a project of 100 acres or more.
• The system can impound 120 acre-feet or more of water.
• The project has one or more acres of wetland impact.
• There is a timely substantial objection to a standard or general permit application. (A substantial objection is a written statement that identifies the objector, concerns hydrologic or environmental impacts and relates to applicable ERP rule criteria. A substantial objection is considered “timely” when it is received by the District within 14 days of notification of the application.

On permit applications that are of heightened interest, the District’s Executive Director or his designee may hold public meetings to allow in-person input prior to making permitting decisions or prior to recommending an application for denial to the District’s Governing Board. A monthly report of permits approved by the Executive Director or his designee is included as an informational item on the monthly Governing Board agenda.

To become aware of permit applications, intended actions, or to comment on an application

The District posts information about permit applications on its website. You can search for pending applications by application/permit number, project name, permit type, or county.

Once you locate an application, click on the application/permit number to view details about the specific application. From the details page, you can provide comments on the application and you can request notice of the District’s intended decision on the application.

The following are additional ways to receive information about permit applications or to provide comments on a permit application.

• Write to St. Johns River Water Management District, Victor Castro, Bureau of Regulatory Support, P.O. Box 1429, Palatka, FL 32178-1429.
• Email applicationsupport@sjrwmd.com.
• Present comments to the appropriate service center director in the area that relates to the application or to the Executive Director via mail or email, or schedule an appointment to discuss comments.

Contact information