These two elements reflecting the time schedule differ considerably with 

 the "old method." Although the old method denotes certain schedule completion 

 requirements, the overall process often took up to several years for an indus- 

 try to obtain all the desired permits. This was primarily due to the require- 

 ment that applicants submit requests for permits to several different State 

 agencies and wait for each individual permit process to be completed. Some- 

 times, one permit process had to be completed before another permit could be 

 requested. 



Cost is another difference between these two optional processes. Minimal 

 fees are required by the old method. Depending upon the number of permits 

 requested, the entire process would cost $20 to $200 or more; each permit 

 costing about $20. "One-stop Permitting," on the other hand, is more expen- 

 sive. Fees for this process range from $2,500 to $25,000. These fees are to 

 be used to pay for all costs incurred to process the application. An expendi- 

 ture and balance statement is given to the applicant. These fees are deter- 

 mined during a pre-appli cation process and vary according to the number of 

 permits that are requested by a particular industry. 



The siting of power plants with a generating capacity of 50 megawatts 

 (MW) or more is regulated by the Florida Electrical Power Plant Siting Act 

 (ch. 403 F.S.). The act was originally passed in 1973 to deal with the many 

 environmental impacts of electrical generating facilities. Siting licenses 

 are issued by the governor and cabinet and are the only license required under 

 State law for the construction and operation of facilities. The application 

 and approval process requires extensive information on design, location and 

 potential impacts of a proposed power plant. Studies and reports are required 

 of several State agencies and hearings are conducted prior to issuance of the 

 license. 



COASTAL CONSTRUCTION CONTROL LINE 



The Beach and Shore Preservation Act (ch. 161 F.S.) addresses the problem 

 of construction along Florida's coasts. The act establishes a coastal con- 

 struction setback line 50 ft landward of the mean high water line. It also 

 provides for a coastal construction control line that supersedes the 50 ft 

 setback line when it is established based on field studies using engineering 

 and environmental criteria for the sandy beaches of each coastal county. 

 Coastal construction control lines are established on an individual county 

 basis to define beach areas where special structural design considerations are 

 required to insure protection of the beach and dune system, upland structures 

 and adjacent property [ch. 161.053(1) F.S.]. 



After establishment of the coastal line, permits are required for any 

 excavation and construction seaward of the line and vehicles are prohibited on 

 dunes located seaward of the line. Permits may be granted if the State's 

 Department of Natural Resources determines that engineering and topographical 

 data indicate a permit is justified, or if the structure forms a part of a 

 pre-existing line of structures seaward of the line and the pre-existing 

 structures have not suffered unduly from erosion, or if the construction is a 

 pier or pipeline that will not cause erosion (Florida Department of Environ- 

 mental Regulation 1980). 



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