Streamlined or Fast-Tracked Florida Angles to Assume Federal Dredge-and-Fill Water Permitting Authority

In the next few months, Florida aims to make Clean Water Act (CWA) history, hoping to become just the third state to assume CWA section 404 permitting authority. In earlu November last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wrapped up the public comment period concerning Florida's proposal to take over statewide section 404 permitting authority from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps). Florida's proposal drew thousands of comments, from interested parties across the state, and EPA expects to decide soon. Most expect EPA to grant Florida's request—before the next presidential inauguration.

Republished with permission. The full article for, "Streamlined or Fast-Tracked Florida Angles to Assume Federal Dredge-and-Fill Water Permitting Authority," was published in the January 2021 issue of the Florida Water Resources Journal.