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Terms and Definitions

Abandonment - As defined in Section 62.346.030(1), F.A.C., “Abandon” or “Abandonment” means cessation of use and maintenance activities or responsibility for a system, or part of a system.

Accessory Building - An accessory building is a structure on the same parcel of property as a principal structure and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure and not for human habitation. For example a residential structure may have a detached garage, a carport, or storage shed for garden tools as accessory structures. Other examples of accessory structures include gazebos, picnic pavilions, boathouses, pole barns, storage sheds, and similar buildings.

Agent– The agent is an individual or entity that has the authorization to act on behalf of the applicant. This may include submitting the application and handling any request for information or other interactions with the District.

Alteration or Alter – As defined in Section 373.403(7), F.S., means to extend a dam or works beyond maintenance in its original condition, including changes which may increase or diminish the flow or storage of surface water which may affect the safety of such dam or works

Anchoring Devices - Steel guy wires fastened to the ground, without the need for dredging, and "base" shall mean a concrete or steel foundation not exceeding four feet in radius, used to support a utility pole.

Applicant– The applicant is the individual, group or entity to whom the permit will be issued. They will be responsible for the activity through construction and the operation and maintenance phases.

Appurtenant Work – As defined in 373.403(2), F.S., means any artificial improvements to a dam, which affects the safety of such dam or, when employed, affect the holding capacity of such dam or of the reservoir or impoundment created by such dam.

Artificial Waterway - An artificially created waterway is defined as a body of water that has been totally dredged or excavated and that does not overlap natural wetlands or other surface waters.

Artificial Drainage Conveyance – An artificial waterway designed and built for the purposes of conveying stormwater. 

As-built Drawings– Drawings prepared and certified by a registered professional after construction or completion of an activity or project that depict the construction.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) – As defined in Chapter 62-620, F.A.C. means schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of waters.

Buffer Zones – Areas to remain untouched in between a projects boundaries and any other specified area; often between a construction activity and a regulated wetland. These areas are not the to be confused with Vegetated Natural Buffers.

Common Plan of Development (Larger Plan of Development) - As defined in Section 62.346.030(5), F.A.C., means:

(a) Any activity initiated by the surveying, planning, or platting of contiguous real property, where such activity facilitates the advancement of a common type of land use (such as multiple residences, a residential subdivision, or phased site development) on the subject property, or

(b) Any activity on contiguous real property that comprises a total land area divided into three or more lots, parcels, tracts, tiers, blocks, sites, or units, and is served by a common road or road network or common surface water management system within that land area. Areas of land that are divided by public or private roads are considered contiguous if such areas are under one ownership or control.

Construction - Defined in Section 62.346.030(9), F.A.C., means any activity including land clearing, earth-moving or the erection of structures that will result in the creation of a system.

Construction Sequence – The chronological order of activities used for the construction of a project.  With regards to projects requiring a stormwater management system, it may also be called an environmental construction sequence.  These sequence plans may be similar to this:

1. Install all sediment and erosion controls for the site

2. Clear the area for the stormwater treatment basin

3. Rough cut the stormwater basin and grade the site to drain to the basin

4. Complete site grading and stabilize the site; and

5. Complete the construction of the stormwater basin removing the sediment to the final grade

Consumptive Use – Refers to the use of the water resources of the District.  Often described as the difference between the amount of water withdrawn from the resource and the amount returned.

Cross Sectional Area – Using the representation below, the cross sectional area can be thought of as the area of the circle made from the interior wall of the pipe. To find the radius, measure from the center point of that circle to its outer edge (the interior wall of the pipe).  Take the radius² (radius X radius) and multiply that number by Pi (Π = 3.14 roughly).  The result is the area of the circle created by the interior wall of the pipe.

Dam – Any artificial or natural barrier, raised to obstruct or impound, or which does obstruct or impound, any of the surface waters of the State.

Dam Spillway – A structure used to provide for the controlled release of flows from a dam or levee into a downstream area, typically being the waterbody that was dammed.

Diameter – The line that can be drawn from one side of a figure to the next passing through the center of the figure.    

Dock– As defined Subsection 18-21.003(16), F.A.C., means a fixed or floating structure, including access walkways, terminal platforms, catwalks, mooring pilings, lifts, davits and other associated water-dependent structures, used for mooring and accessing vessels.

Drainage Ditch – As defined in Section 403.803(7) means a man-made trench that is dug for the purpose of draining water from the land or for transporting water for use on the land and that is not built for navigational purposes

Dredge (Dredging) – As defined in Section 373.403(13), F.S., means excavation, by any means, in surface waters or wetlands, as delineated in Section 373.421(1), F.S., Excavation also means the excavation, or creation, of a water body which is, or is to be, connected to surface waters or wetlands, as delineated in Section 373.421(1), F.S., directly or via an excavated water body or series of water bodies

Environmental Resource Permit - Defined in Section 62.346.030(19), F.A.C. means a noticed general or individual permit for a surface water management system issued pursuant to Part IV of Chapter 373, F.S.

Environmental Resource Permitting Program– Also known as the Environmental Resource Regulations Bureau, it is responsible for the review of applications for authorizations under Chapter 62-346, F.A.C. (The ERP Rule) as well as monitoring permittee compliance with that chapter.

ERP E-Permitting Main Menu– This is the first navigation screen in the e-permitting on line application.  From here users can select from several options:

Update User Account Information– Registered users can review and change their user account information by selecting this option.

Exemption Self-Certification– This option provides the users with the ability to “self-certify” their activities qualification for exemption from the requirements of Chapter 62-346, F.A.C.  This service is provided free of charge for any applicant seeking this certification.  If you require a review to be completed by the District, please contact the office nearest you.

Noticed General Permits– This option provides the user with an on-line application for requesting confirmation of qualification under the Noticed General Permit rule, Chapter 62-346, F.A.C.  and the ability to upload electronic copies of all supporting documents.  Users are provided with payment options at the end of the process.  The user will not be able to submit the application until the correct and full fee has been submitted.

Individual Permit– This option provides the user with an on-line application to request an Environmental Resource Permit under Chapter 62-346, F.A.C. authorizing their activity. Users can upload electronic copies of all supporting documents.  Users are provided with payment options at the end of the process.  The user will not be able to submit the application until the correct and full fee has been submitted.

Application Stage– This should be the first stop for applicants wanting to know the progress of their application.  User can use this option to track the progress of any application submitted to the districts Environmental Resource Regulations Bureau.  Users can query permits using a number of variables including permit type, application and permit number, application date, and project information.  Once the application has been located, the user will have access to the name of the reviewer, the reviewer’s phone number, the agents name for that application, and the stage the application is currently in.

Application stages most common to the E-permitting process include:

• Pending Reviewer Assignment – The application has been received by the District and is waiting to be assigned to a reviewer.
• In Review – The application has been assigned to a reviewer(s) and is being reviewed for completeness.
• Pending Approval of RAI – The staff review has concluded and they are recommending a Request for Additional Information (RAI) be issued.
• RAI Issued, Waiting for Applicant Response – The RAI has been approved and issued.
• Applicant response received, in Review – A response to the RAI has been received and staff are reviewing the project again for completion.
• Pending Staff Report Completion – The application has been deemed complete and the District review is complete.  Staff are in the process of writing their recommendation.
• Pending Staff Report Approval – Staff completed their recommendations and have submitted them for approval.
• Pending Board Approval – Because of the nature, size or concerns over the project, it has been recommended for decision by the board.
• Pending Final Supervisory Review – The review and reporting at the staff level have been completed, it is now awaiting the Supervisory review.
• Pending Director Review – The supervisor has completed their review and has sent it to the Director for final Review.
• Pending Permit Issuance – The Director has reviewed the file and has approved the permit issuance.
• Pending Denial Notice – The Director has reviewed the file and has recommended denial.

E-Noticing– This option provides a method for interested parties to request email notification when Environmental Resource Permit applications have been received by the District in a given areas.  Users can define their area of interest by county and zip codes.  Users can select single or multiple counties and zip codes.  User must have a valid email address to use this option.

E-Docs– This option will allow the user to upload documents associated with a saved, un-submitted application. Future uses for this option will include report and compliance document uploads for any permitted project.

Erosion– As defined in the Florida Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspectors Manual means the process by which land surface is worn away by action of wind, water, ice, and gravity.

Extension– For the purposes of the e-permitting application, extension shall mean the process by which applicants can request additional time for responding to Requests for Additional information or the construction phase duration of their permit,

Exemption– An authorization for conducting activities which, in most cases, does not require a review by or notification to the District.  For the purposes of the ERP rule, exemptions are described in Rule 62-346.051, F.A.C., and Sections 403.813(1), 373.4145, and 373.406, F.S.

Fill (Filling) – As defined in Section 373.403(14), F.S., means the deposition, by any means, of materials in wetlands or other surface waters, as delineated in Section 373.421(1), F.S.

Flood Elevation– The height of the water surface above a set elevation.  Often described as the 10 or 100 year flood elevations.  In these cases, the elevations are based on the height the surface of the water may be expected to reach during those events.

Floodplain- As defined in 62-40.210, F.A.C., means land area subject to inundation by flood waters from a river, watercourse, lake, or coastal waters. The 1% annual chance flood is the flood that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year also known as the Base Flood (100 year flood)

Florida Land Use Land Cover Classification System (FLUCCS)– A system developed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to classify land use and cover.  An electronic copy of the manual can be obtained from the FDOT at: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/surveyingandmapping/regulations.shtm

Formal Wetland Determination – A determination made by the Department of Environmental Protection describing the landward extent (boundaries) of wetlands and other surface waters using the methodologies listed in Chapter 62-340, F.A.C.  Determinations are binding for a period of 5 years.

GPS/GPS Coordinates– GPS or Global Positioning System uses a network of orbiting satellites to locate a point on the surface of the earth.  Coordinates can be displayed in a number of formats referencing a number of different datums.  

Depending on the equipment settings or program used to acquire your GPS coordinates they may be displayed in a couple of formats, the most common being:

80° 23’ 19.4”
Degree, Minute, Seconds (DMS)

80.388722°
Decimal Degrees

For the purposes of the e-permitting application, GPS coordinates should be given using the Degrees  (°), Minutes (’), Seconds (”) format, without symbols or spaces: 802319.4

Be sure not to confuse this format with Decimal Degrees.   Decimal degrees should be converted to DMS prior to entering into the e-permitting application.

Steps for Converting Decimal Degrees to DMS; i.e. 80.388722° to DMS:

1. The whole number in the decimal degrees remains the whole degrees.

   a. 80.388722°

   b. Degrees; 80°

2. Multiply the decimal fraction of the original decimal degree coordinate by 60.

   a. 80.388722   

   b. .388722  x 60 = 23.32332

   c. The whole number of this product becomes the minutes; 23’

3. Multiply the decimal fraction of the product in step 2 by 60.

   a. 23.32332

   b .32332 X 60 = 19.39

   c. This number becomes the seconds; 19.39”

The final coordinate would be 80° 23’ 19.39” and should be entered as 802319.39

The District accepts GPS Coordinates for the site location that reference the NAD 27 or the NAD 83 datum’s (North American Datum).  This is a horizontal datum and should not be confused with the NGVD (National Geodesic Vertical Datum).  Although both reference datum’s contain horizontal components, projections based on one datum using coordinates taken using the other datum can be off by significant margins. 

Be sure to identify the datum your GPS units are referencing.  Coordinates taken from Google earth are based on the NAD 83 datum.

Hydroperiod- Refers to the duration, in days, that an area of land is dry or has standing water on it.  Hydroperiods can be very different for locations that are in close proximity due to soils transmissibility and other factors.

Impervious- Defined in Section 62.346.030(21), F.A.C., means land surfaces that do not allow, or minimally allow, the penetration of water; such as building roofs, normal concrete and asphalt pavements, and some fine grained soils such as clays. For purposes of implementing stormwater treatment quality and quantity requirements, the calculation of the amount of impervious surface does not include wetlands or other surface waters.

Impound Volume– Is the volume of water a stormwater treatment facility is capable of impounding (holding) as measured from the top of the berm.

Individual Permit – An individual permit under Chapter 62-346, F.A.C. is an authorization for activities that involve construction, operation, maintenance, alteration, abandonment, or removal of a surface water management system issued pursuant to Part IV of Chapter 373, F.S.. Activities that require authorization under Chapter 62-346, F.A.C. and do not qualify for an exemption as described in Rule 62-346.051, F.A.C, or sections 403.813(1), 373.4145, or 373.406, F.S. or a Noticed General Permit under Chapter 62-341, F.A.C. must apply for an individual permit.

Littoral Zones - The littoral zone is that portion of a wet detention pond which is designed to contain rooted aquatic plants.  The littoral area is usually provided by extending and gently sloping the sides of the pond down to a depth of 2 to 3 feet below the normal water level or control elevation.  Also, the littoral zone can be provided in other areas of the pond that have suitable depths (i.e., a shallow shelf in the middle of the lake).

The littoral zone is established with native aquatic plants by planting and/or the placement of wetland soils containing seeds of native aquatic plants.  A specific vegetation establishment plan must be prepared for the littoral zone.  The plan must consider the hydroperiod of the pond and the type of plants to be established.  Livingston et al. (1988) has published a list of recommended native plant species suitable for littoral zone planting.  In addition, a layer of muck can be incorporated into the littoral area to promote the establishment of the wetland vegetation.  When placing muck, special precautions must be taken to prevent erosion and turbidity problems in the pond and at its discharge point while vegetation is becoming established in the littoral zone.

Maintenance or Repair – As defined in 373.403(8) F.S., means remedial work of a nature as may affect the safety of any dam, impoundment, reservoir, or appurtenant work or works, but excludes routine custodial maintenance.

Mean High Water Line (Ordinary) - The average elevation of all high water heights observed over the National Tidal Datum Epoch (NTDE, the specific 19-year period adopted by the National Ocean Service over which sea level observations are taken). 

Modification– There are two categories of modifications; Major and Minor

  Minor Modifications include requests:

 1. for a time extension pursuant to Rule 62-346.120, F.A.C.,

 2. to correct errors or typographical mistakes,

 3. to incorporate changes requested by the Department or required through permits issued
     by other regulatory agencies,

 4. to change due dates for reporting or performance deadlines, and

 5. to transfer a permit, or to make minor technical changes.

  Major Modifications require:

 1.   a new site inspection by the Department to evaluate the request; or

 2.   Substantially:

       a.  Alter the system design or permit conditions;

       b.  Increase the authorized discharge;

       c.  Decrease the stormwater treatment or flood attenuation capability of the existing
            system as specified by the original permit;

       d.  Decrease any flood control elevations for roads or buildings specified by the original
            permit;

       e.  Increase the project area;

       f.  Result in additional loss of floodplain storage within the 10-year floodplain at a location
           where the upstream drainage area is greater than 5 square miles;

       g.  Increase the proposed impervious surface unless accounted for in the previously
            permitted design of the system;

       h.  Reduce the frequency or parameters of monitoring requirements, except in accordance
            with a permit condition that specifically provides for future adjustments in monitoring
            requirements; or

       i.   Reduce the financial responsibility mechanisms provided to ensure the continued
            construction and operation of the system in compliance with permit requirements,
            except in accordance with specific permit conditions that provide for a reduction in
            financial responsibility mechanisms.

Noticed General Permit – Noticed General Permits (NGPs) are issued under Chapter 62-341, Florida Administrative Code.  They are intended for those activities which have been determined to have minimal impacts to the water resources of the District, both individually and cumulatively, when conducted in compliance with the terms and conditions of the general permit. 

Normal Water Elevation – The elevation of the surface of the water during normal conditions for that area

Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD or District) – The NWFWMD is one of five water management districts created in 1972. The District stretches from the St. Marks River Basin in Jefferson County to the Perdido River in Escambia County. Click here to see a map of the District.

Notice of Commencement or Construction Commencement Notice – Form 62-346.900(3); a permittee under the ERP rule is required to submit this form to the District prior to beginning construction of their project.

Open Trestle - A trestle is a framed structure with a plank or beam floor allowing for transportation of vehicles or people, and an open trestle has spaces between the planks or beams that allow water to flow through.

Operating Agreement – Refers to the agreement between the District and the DEP that outlines the regulatory responsibilities and activity split for reviewing and taking action on applications for activities covered under Chapter 62-346, F.A.C.. A copy of the operating agreement is included in Attachment A of the Applicants Handbook Volume I, for the ERP rules.

Operation - Defined in Section 62.346.030(31), F.A.C., means to cause or to allow a system to function. This term also means a phase of an environmental resource permit authorizing the operation and maintenance of a surface water management system in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit.

Other Surface Waters - Defined in Section 62.346.030(33), F.A.C., means surface waters as described and delineated pursuant to Rule 62-340.600, F.A.C., as ratified by Section 373.4211, F.S., other than wetlands.

Outstanding National Resource Water and Outstanding Florida Waters – Those waters defined in Section 62-307.700 F.A.C.

Permit Application Number – The number assigned to applications submitted to the District under the ERP rule.  This application is used to track the progress of the application during the District’s review.  Interested parties and the applicant may request information about a specific project by referencing the permit application number.

Permit Number- A unique identification number assigned to an individual permit issued under Chapter 62-346, F.A.C. or a noticed general permit issued under Chapter 62-341, F.A.C. This number can be used to locate associated documents and information for that permit.

Pier– As defined Subsection 18-21.003(39) F.A.C., means a fixed or floating structure used primarily for fishing or swimming and not designed or used for mooring or accessing vessels.

Primary County- It is possible for a project to cross multiple county boundaries. In these cases, applicants should enter the county where the majority of the project resides (the primary county), and enter the other counties as secondary counties using the “add additional project counties” button.

Project Area - Defined in Section 62.346.030(36), F.A.C., means the area being modified or altered in conjunction with a proposed activity requiring a permit, including all areas that are part of the stormwater management system.

Receiving Waters – The wetland or other surface water into which your activity may discharge.  This may be an un-named ditch or a tributary connecting to a larger named water body.

Recreational Path – Defined in section 62-346.051(13), F.A.C., means a path designed and constructed with a width not to exceed 8 feet if unidirectional, or 12 feet if multidirectional.  Use of this path prohibits combustion engine vehicles other than those needed for maintenance and emergency vehicles.

Remove - Defined in Section 62.346.030(41), F.A.C., means cessation of use and maintenance activities for a system, or part of a system, accompanied by elimination of all or part of the system.

Restoration - Defined in Section 62.346.030, F.A.C., means converting back to a historic condition those wetlands, surface waters, or uplands that currently exist as a land form that differs from the historic condition.

Retrofit– A stormwater retrofit is a project that adds treatment to an existing stormwater management system or systems and results in reduced stormwater pollutant loadings from the existing system or systems.  Retrofit projects do not serve new development or redevelopment.   

Routine Custodial Maintenance - Defined in Section 62.346.030(44), F.A.C., means those activities described in section 3.4.2.5(b) in the Applicant’s Handbook Volume I.

Seasonal High Ground Water Table – Means the highest level of the saturated zone in the soil in a year with normal rainfall.

Secondary Impacts – As defined in the Applicant's Handbook Volume I, means to not cause a violation of water quality standards and not lower or raise seasonal water levels in adjacent surface waters of the state to an extent that prevents the stormwater management system from functioning as designed, not altering adversely normal water level fluctuations in adjacent surface waters of the state, and not otherwise adversely impact the maintenance of surface or ground water levels, or flows or surface water flows established pursuant to Section 373.042, F.S.

Sedimentation – As defined in the "Florida Erosion and Sediment Control Inspectors Manual", means the settling out of particles transported by water or wind.

Sediment and Erosion Controls – Those best management practices employed to inhibit erosion on site and prevent sediment from leaving the project area.

Semi-impervious - Defined in Section 62.346.030(47), F.A.C., means land surfaces that partially restrict the penetration of water; such as porous concrete and asphalt pavements, limerock, and certain compacted soils.

Single Family Residence – Is a dwelling unit intended to house one family (however this may include one duplex, triplex or quadruplex). 

Sovereignty Submerged Lands – Defined Subsection 18-21.003(56) F.A.C., means those lands including but not limited to, tidal lands, islands, sand bars, shallow banks, and lands waterward of the ordinary or mean high water line, beneath navigable fresh water or beneath tidally-influenced waters, to which the State of Florida acquired title on March 3, 1845, by virtue of statehood, and which have not been heretofore conveyed or alienated. For the purposes of this chapter sovereignty submerged lands shall include all submerged lands title to which is held by the Board.

Stabilize or Stabilization – For the purposes of this process shall mean those steps taken to prohibit erosion of land surfaces.  These steps can include temporary seeding, permanent seeding, mulching, geotextiles, sod stabilization, vegetative buffer strips, protection of trees, preservation of mature vegetation, and other appropriate measures.

State Water Quality Standards – Means water quality standards adopted by the Environmental Regulation Commission pursuant to Chapter 403, F.S., including standards composed of designated most beneficial uses (classification of waters), the numerical and narrative criteria applied to the specific water use or classification, the Florida anti-degradation policy (Rules 62-4.242 and 62-302.300, F.A.C.), and the moderating provisions contained in Chapters 62-4, 62-302, 62-520, and 62-550, F.A.C.

Stormwater Management Facility; Stormwater System; Stormwater Treatment Facilities - For the purposes of this process means a stormwater management system, dam, impoundment, reservoir, appurtenant work, or works, or any combination thereof. The terms “surface water management system” or “system” include areas of dredging or filling, as those terms are defined in Sections 373.403(13) and (14), F.S. However, until the effective date of the rules authorized by Section 373.4145(1)(b), F.S., the term “surface water management system” is limited to stormwater management systems.

Stormwater- Defined in Section 62.346.030(49), F.A.C, means the flow of water that results from, and that occurs immediately following, a rainfall event.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)- This document is required by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES); a federal program administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The plan is intended to address sources of potential pollution from the activity. Contained there in, is a description of the best management practices that will be used to contain sediment on site and controlling erosion. For that reason, the SWPPP can be accepted by the District in place of other sediment and erosion control plans.

Stormwater Treatment– The process of removing suspended, particulate, and dissolved pollutants from stormwater.

Stream– As defined in 373.091(18), F.S., means any river, creek, slough, or natural watercourse in which water usually flows in a defined bed or channel. It is not essential that the flowing be uniform or uninterrupted. The fact that some part of the bed or channel shall have been dredged or improved does not prevent the watercourse from being a stream.

Swales – As defined in Section 403.803(14), F.S., means manmade trench which:

(a)  Has a top width-to-depth ratio of the cross section equal to or greater than 6:1, or side slopes equal to or greater than 3 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical;

(b)  Contains contiguous areas of standing or flowing water only following a rainfall event;

(c)  Is planted with or has stabilized vegetation suitable for soil stabilization, stormwater treatment, and nutrient uptake; and

(d)  Is designed to take into account the soil erodibility, soil percolation, slope, slope length, and drainage area so as to prevent erosion and reduce pollutant concentration of any discharge.

Surface Water Management System – Means a stormwater management system, dam, impoundment, reservoir, appurtenant work, or works, or any combination thereof. The terms “surface water management system” or “system” include areas of dredging or filling, as those terms are defined in Sections 373.403(13) and (14), F.S. However, until the effective date of the rules authorized by Section 373.4145(1)(b), F.S., the term “surface water management system” is limited to stormwater management systems.

Surface Waters of the State - Defined in Section 62.346.030(51), F.A.C., means those surface waters regulated pursuant to Rule 62-312.030, F.A.C.

Surface Water – As defined in 62-40.210 means water upon the surface of the earth, whether contained in bounds created naturally or artificially or diffused. Water from natural springs shall be classified as surface water when it exits from the spring onto the earth’s surface.

Tail Water – Refers to the receiving water elevation (or pressure) at the final discharge point of the stormwater management system.  Tailwater is an important component of the design and operation of nearly all stormwater management systems and can affect any of the following management objectives of the system:

(a) Peak discharge from the stormwater management system;

(b) Peak stage in the stormwater management system;

(c) Level of flood protection in the project;

(d) Recovery of peak attenuation and stormwater treatment volumes; and

(e) Control elevations, normal water elevation regulation schedules, and ground water management.

Temporary Application Number – The number assigned to applications prior to submittal using the e-permitting application.  This number allows users to complete saved applications that have not been submitted.

Toe to Toe – The distance from the up stream toe of a dam to the down stream toe.

Top Width – In the case of a stormwater management system, it refers to the distance from the top of one side bank to the top of the other or the top width of a berm or structure.

Total applicant owned area contiguous to the project– Users should enter the total acreage, owned by the applicant that borders or is adjacent to the project area.

Total area served by the system – Users should enter the total acreage that drains to the stormwater management system.  This area will not always equal the project area. For example:

In this example, the project does not except runoff from outside the project area. The system is designed to serve the project area only.

In this example, the project area accepts the runoff from the entire drainage basin.  The area served by the system is now considered to be the project area and the drainage basin area.

Transfer– Means the process by which one permittee can transfer a permit issued under the ERP rule to another “approved” person or entity.  Permittees planning to sell or transfer the property, upon which there is a permitted facility, should transfer the permit to the new owner.  The original permittee retains responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the facility if the permit is not transferred regardless of whether or not they still maintain control or ownership of the property

Turbidity – Refers to the loss of transparency in a water column caused by suspended particles. The particles refract (re-direct) light giving the water a cloudy and sometimes opaque appearance. Turbidity is not dependant on the color of the solids in suspension. The higher the number of particles suspended in the water, the higher the level of turbidity.

Wetlands - as defined in subsection 373.019(17), F.S., means those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water at a frequency and a duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soils. Soils present in wetlands generally are classified as hydric or alluvial, or possess characteristics that are associated with reducing soil conditions. The prevalent vegetation in wetlands generally consists of facultative or obligate hydrophytic macrophytes that are typically adapted to areas having soil conditions described above. These species, due to morphological, physiological, or reproductive adaptations, have the ability to grow, reproduce or persist in aquatic environments or anaerobic soil conditions. Florida wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bayheads, bogs, cypress domes and strands, sloughs, wet prairies, riverine swamps and marshes, hydric seepage slopes, tidal marshes, mangrove swamps and other similar areas. Florida wetlands generally do not include longleaf or slash pine flatwoods with an understory dominated by saw palmetto.

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