STATE OF FLORIDA 



The State of Florida, since the late 1960's, has been very active in pro- 

 mulgating and enforcing environmental legislation. This section will identify 

 the major laws and briefly discuss the most significant environmental pro- 

 grams. A matrix of major environmental legislation and affected state agen- 

 cies and activities related to permitting in the coastal zone is given in 

 Figure 31, Part 2, Data Appendix. The most significant environmental laws 

 enacted in Florida are reidentified and listed in this matrix, as are the 

 major Federal and state agencies, in addition to a listing of the state legis- 

 lative mandates used to manage activities and uses of water and land within 

 the coastal zone. The most useful laws for environmentalists are given in the 

 following sections. 



Pollution-spill Protection and Control, Florida Statutes. 

 Chapter 376- Section 376.021 



This statute addresses the transfer of pollutants between vessels and/or 

 between terminal facilities. The potential discharge into the environment of 

 products being transferred poses a threat to the environment. These pollu- 

 tants include many grades of oil, pesticides, ammonia, chlorine, and their 

 derivatives. The statute requires a registration certificate for the opera- 

 tion of terminal facilities and gives authority to inspect the facilities to 

 determine if they comply with regulations. 



This statute establishes the mechanism to help in clean-up and rehabili- 

 tation of the environment after a pollutant has been discharged. The Florida 

 Coastal Protection Trust Fund states that any owner or operator causing the 

 pollution shall be liable for all clean-ups and abatement costs. An excise 

 tax of 2 cents per barrel of the pollutants (mostly oil) has been assessed by 

 the State of Florida to clean-up chemical spills. 



Energy Resources Part II, Regulation of Oil and Gas, Florida Statute 377 

 Section 377.242 . This legislation states that no drilling permit shall be 

 granted within one mile inland from the coastline unless sufficient environ- 

 mental protection provisions have been taken to protect the state's estuaries, 

 beaches, and shorelines. Issuance or renewal of the permit requires a valid 

 deed, or lease, granting the rights to oil and gas exploration, and satisfac- 

 tory evidence that the applicants will clean-up any for which they are respon- 

 sible. The Department of Natural Resources has the responsibility for the 

 rules' administration. 



Environmental Land and Water Management Act, Florida Statute 380 



The purpose of this act is to develop management strategies and policies 

 to protect natural resources, the environment, and the water quality of the 

 State. This is accomplished through designation of "Areas of Critical State 

 Concern" by the Administration Commission if the areas are deemed to have sig- 

 nificant environmental, historical, or archaeological resources of statewide 

 importance. The three currently designated critical areas are the Green 

 Swamp, the Big Cypress Swamp and the Florida Keys. 



The second component of this statute defines the Development of Regional 

 Impacts (DRI). A DRI is any development that because of its character, magni- 

 tude or location, would have a substantial effect on the health, safety, or 



297 



