Compensatory mitigation shall be considered only after the requirements of subsection 62-331.053(1), F.A.C., have been met. Compensatory mitigation required for authorizations or compliance actions under this chapter shall be conducted in accordance with section 10.3 of Volume I, section 8.5 of the 404 Handbook, and this section:
    (1) Mitigation Hierarchy. The preferential hierarchy in the 404 Handbook section 8.5.1 shall be followed when compensatory mitigation is required for authorizations and compliance actions.
    (2) Mitigation proposals other than the purchase of mitigation bank or in-lieu fee program credits shall include an adaptive management plan. The plan shall include information about the party or parties responsible for implementing adaptive management measures, including the information required in Volume I, section 10.3.1.2.1.
    (3) Federal credits from mitigation banks or in-lieu fee programs approved by the Corps shall be accepted by the Agencies to offset impacts for permits when the number and resource type of credits available are appropriate to offset impacts.
    (4) Mining reclamation activities may be considered appropriate compensatory mitigation for impacts from mining projects undertaken pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 378, and rules promulgated thereunder, if they maintain or improve the water quality and the function of biological systems present at the site prior to the commencement of mining activities, subject to the following additional requirements:
    (a) Additional compensatory mitigation shall be required if the Agency determines that the onsite reclamation activities will not fully offset the regulated activity’s adverse impacts.
    (b) Section 373.414(6)(b), F.S., and Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-345.600(1)(b), pertaining to time lag for phosphate and heavy minerals mines, shall not apply to compensatory mitigation for permits or compliance actions.
    (c) Additional compensatory mitigation, if required, shall be subject to the mitigation hierarchy in subsection (1), above.
    (5) Compensatory mitigation for Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) projects, proposed in accordance with Florida Statutes § 373.4137, shall be consistent with this chapter to be used for State 404 Program permits.
    (6) Compensatory mitigation for mining in the Miami-Dade County Lake Belt Area requiring a State 404 permit conducted in accordance with Florida Statutes § 373.41492 shall be consistent with this chapter to be used for State 404 Program permits. Activities authorized by the permit cannot commence until the specific compensatory mitigation project for which the mitigation funds will be used are identified and approved by the Lake Belt Mitigation Committee.
Editor notes: The effective date of the rule will be the effective date of assumption, which is the date identified by EPA as published in the Federal Register §373.4146, F.S.
Rulemaking Authority 373.026(7), 373.043, 373.414, 373.4145, 373.4146(2), 403.805(1) FS. Law Implemented 373.413, 373.4131, 373.4132, 373.4135, 373.4136, 373.414, 373.4144, 373.4145, 373.4146, 373.416 FS. History-New 12-22-20.