(1) A general permit is provided for use by electric and communication utilities to relocate aerial transmission and distribution lines, including utility poles and associated bases and anchoring devices within or adjacent to the rights of way of existing roadways.
    (2) This general permit applies only to relocation projects necessitated by widening or improvement of existing roads. Documentation of the road widening or improvement that necessitates the relocation shall be submitted at the time the notice to use this general permit is submitted to the Agency.
    (3) For the purpose of this general permit, the following definitions shall apply:
    (a) “”Anchoring device”” shall mean steel guy wires fastened to the ground without the need for separate dredging;
    (b) “”Base”” shall mean a man-made, concrete or steel foundation not exceeding four feet in radius, used to support a utility pole; and,
    (c) “”Utility pole”” shall mean a single pole that supports aerial transmission and distribution lines.
    (4) This general permit is subject to the following special conditions:
    (a) The relocation of the poles shall be either within the existing or proposed road right-of-way or within ten feet adjacent to the existing or proposed road right-of-way;
    (b) There shall be no above grade access roads, and no permanent placement of fill in wetlands or other surface waters for access roads or other purposes, other than the utility poles, associated bases, and anchoring devices;
    (c) Work shall not impact any living stony coral, soft coral, macro-marine algae community, or submerged grassbeds;
    (d) The clearing of wetland vegetation shall be limited to 0.5 acre per 10 miles of transmission or distribution line, unless the clearing of vegetation is addressed in a previously issued permit under Part IV, Florida Statutes Chapter 373, which authorized the road widening or improvement.
Rulemaking Authority 373.026(7), 373.043, 373.118(1), 373.406(5), 373.4131, 373.414(9), 373.418, 403.805(1) FS. Law Implemented 373.118(1), 373.406(5), 373.413, 373.4131, 373.4137, 373.414(9), 373.416, 373.418, 373.426, 403.814(1) FS. History-New 10-3-95, Formerly 62-341.621, Amended 10-1-13.