Wetlands

 

What is a Wetland?

Wetland Determination

Wetland Permitting

History of Wetland Protection in Lee County

Wetland Permit Agencies

Hydric Soil Clarification

 

WHAT IS A WETLAND?

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Wetlands are those areas defined by Florida Statutes subsection 373.019(17).  These areas are usually inundated or saturated by water long enough to create oxygen poor soils which under normal circumstances support wetland vegetation as defined in Chapter 62-340.450 of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).  There are various natural plant communities typical of wetlands in Florida.  Hydric pine flatwoods, cypress domes and strands, hydric hammocks, mangrove swamps, marshes and wet prairies are some of the wetland plant communities found in Lee County. 

Wetlands are determined using the Florida Unified Wetland Delineation Methodology detailed in Chapter 62-340, F.A.C.  Persons trained in using this methodology determine if an area contains wetlands based on the type of vegetation present, hydric indicators in the soil, and evidence of hydrology.  The historical Soil Survey of Lee County completed in the early 1980s, serves as guideline for locating potential wetland areas.  Frequently flooded, slough (sheet-flow) and depressional (ponding and muck) soil types can indicate areas of wetland formation; however, a site visit needs to be conducted by a person trained in wetland delineation methodology to verify the presence or absence of wetlands.  For a listing of prominent hydric soils within Lee County, click here.  To obtain a copy of the Soil Survey of Lee County, click here.  Please note that just because a parcel does not contain a hydric soil mapping unit number does not automatically mean wetland conditions are not present.   And the opposite is true – just because a parcel is mapped with a hydric soil number does mean that a wetland is definitely present.  Thus, the need for a site inspection by trained personnel.   For more information about wetlands and the Florida Unified Wetland Delineation Methodology, please go to www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/delineation/index.htm

Lee County no longer conducts independent wetland determinations since the passing of Land Development Code Wetland Protection Amendments.  However, if a hydric soil mapping unit, according to the Soil Survey of Lee County, is present on a parcel Lee County requires a wetland determination prior to the approval of applications for single family residence building permits, planned development rezonings, lot splits, and development orders.  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provides wetland determinations for single family residence parcels.  The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) handles parcels zoned for commercial, agriculture and multi-family use.  If a wetland determination reveals wetlands are present on a parcel, an Environmental Resource Permit must first be obtained prior to the issuance of Lee County permits and development orders.  See Wetland Permitting below.

DEP conducts informal wetland determinations at no cost for single family residence parcels under one acre.  To obtain the Request for Informal Wetland Determination form online, go to www.dep.state.fl.us/south.  Once completed, the form can be faxed or mailed to DEP.  For parcels over one acre or further information on wetland determinations, please contact the DEP South District Office.

Impacts to wetlands, including clearing, filling or excavation, typically require an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).  Generally, parcels zoned for single family residence are handled by DEP.  Parcels zoned for multi-family residence, commercial and agriculture are handled by SFWMD.  Prior to the release of Lee County development orders and building permits on parcels containing wetlands (see section above for information on Wetland Determinations), an ERP must be obtained and a copy provided to Lee County.  Conditions of the DEP or SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit will be incorporated into Lee County development orders and permits.  Lee County Environmental Sciences staff will participate in the compliance and enforcement of permit conditions. 

On September 18, 1996, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners approved amendments to the Wetland Protection Section in Chapter 14 in the Land Development Code. These amendments change the permit process for parcels of land with wetlands.

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS - (ACOE)

Fort Myers Regulatory Office

1520 Royal Palm Square Blvd., Suite 310

Fort Myers, FL 33919

Telephone (239) 334-1975

Fax (239) 334-0797

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - (DEP)

South Florida District Office

2295 Victoria Avenue, Suite 364

Fort Myers, FL 33901

Telephone (239) 332-6975

Fax (239) 332-6969

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT - (SFWMD)

Fort Myers Service Center

2301 McGregor Boulevard

Fort Myers, FL 33901

Telephone (239) 338-2929

Fax (239) 338-2936

http://www.sfwmd.gov/

LEE COUNTY DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

1500 Monroe Street, 4the Floor

Fort Myers, FL 33901

Telephone (239) 533-8389

Fax (239) 485-8344

http://www.lee-county.com/dcd/Environmental/Environmental.htm

(ACCORDING TO THE USDA / SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE SOIL SURVEY OF LEE COUNTY)

Hydric soils are those soils that in their natural conditions are saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during the growing season (February-December in Lee County) to develop anaerobic conditions that favor the growth and regeneration of hydrophytic (wetland) vegetation.

FLOODING

Soil flooded by moving water from stream overflow, run off or high tides.

SLOUGH (SHEET-FLOW)

Broad nearly level, poorly defined drainage way that is subject to sheet-flow in the rainy season.

PONDING

Standing water on soils in closed depressions. The water can be removed only by percolation or evapotranspiration.

Note: Soil #6 - Hallendale fine sand and #13 - Boca fine sand have indicated a high percentage of hydric soils within the mapping unit and may also indicate a wetland area.

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