DEP office hours, recovery reimbursement grant, centralized permitting

Posted On: February 24, 2023

DEP office hours

In collaboration with Volusia County Government, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold office hours to address emergency permitting relating to temporary and permanent repairs of coastal structures damaged by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Representatives will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at the Volusia County Government Building, 440 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach.

Residents may ask questions and receive guidance with state or local emergency permits, such as seawalls, sand sources and walkover repairs. Consulting engineers and contractors experienced with coastal construction are also encouraged to attend so DEP may guide them through the process.

Residents living in the city limits of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach or Ponce Inlet should contact their municipal government's staff for local permitting requirements. Persons residing in unincorporated areas may contact the county.

For more information regarding coastal permitting, contact the following:

• FDEP field permit: Trey Hatch, 904-832-6757
• FDEP Coastal Construction Control Line permit: Dave Kriger, 850-245-7680

Recovery reimbursement grant

DEP representatives will also be available to provide information to residents interested in applying for the Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program (HRRGP) during the March 1 office hours.

The program is designed to address coastal beach erosion incurred as a result of preparation for or damage due to Hurricanes Ian or Nicole. The program will provide reimbursement for eligible projects to qualified applicants who own an eligible residential property as outlined in the program guidelines.

An online application for the HRRGP may be found at floridadep.gov/hurricane. Paper applications are also available. For more information, contact DEP at 850-245-8558 or hrrgp@floridadep.gov.

Centralized permitting

Volusia County's Growth and Resource Management Department continues to operate a centralized permitting center with staff from the Zoning, Building and Environmental Management divisions. Staff from the three divisions are onsite from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Fridays until further notice at the Volusia County Government Building, 440 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach.

Staff will work to expedite permitting for temporary and permanent repairs due to damage from the hurricanes. This is an opportunity for homeowners, engineers and contractors to review permitting plans and ask questions. Appointments are not required.

For more information about the centralized permitting center, including determining if the county may process the permit(s) needed, call 386-822-5013.