Exhibit_C_-_FDEP_Ramp_Grading_Permit.pdf

PERMIT NUMBER: AW-41

PERMITTEE

County of Volusia c/o Jessica W. Fentress, Director Volusia County Coastal Division 515 South Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach, Florida 32118

NOTICE TO PROCEED AND AREAWIDE PERMIT FOR CONSTRUCTION OR OTHER ACTIVITIES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 161.053, FLORIDA STATUTES

FINDINGS OF FACT: An application for authorization to conduct the activities seaward of the coastal construction control line that are indicated in the project description, was filed by the applicant/permittee named herein on January 14, 2025, and was determined to be complete pursuant to rule on March 4, 2025. The Department previously authorized similar activities under permits VO-895 (Amend), VO-1112, and AW-18, all of which have expired.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW: After considering the merits of the proposal and any written objections from affected persons, the Department finds that upon compliance with the permit conditions, the activities indicated in the project description of this permit are of such a nature that they will result in no significant adverse impacts to the beach/dune areas or to adjacent properties; that the work is not expected to adversely impact nesting sea turtles, their hatchlings, or their habitat; that the work is expendable in nature and/or is appropriately designed in accordance with Section 62B-33.005, Florida Administrative Code. Based on the foregoing considerations, the Department approves the application; authorizes construction and/or activities at the location indicated below in strict accordance with the project description, the approved plans (if any) and the General Permit Conditions which are by this reference incorporated herein, and any additional conditions shown below, pursuant to Section 161.053(4), Florida Statutes.

EXPIRATION DATE: March 27, 2030

LOCATION: Between approximately 245 feet south of the Department of Environmental Protection's reference monument R-39, and 349 feet north of R-184, in Volusia County, from Roberta Road (north) and Hiles Boulevard (south).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Volusia County is authorized to grade 38 existing vehicle access ramps on un-vegetated sandy public beaches.

STATE OF FLORIDA

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection Coastal Construction Control Line Program 2600 Blair Stone Road - Mail Station 3522

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

(850) 245-8570

PERMITTEE: County of Volusia

SPECIAL PERMIT CONDITIONS:

1. Prior to commencement of construction activity authorized by this permit, a preconstruction conference shall be held at the site among the contractor, the owner or authorized agent, and a staff representative of the Department to establish an understanding among the parties as to the items specified in the special and general conditions of the permit. The proposed locations of the structures shall be staked out for the conference.

Contact Melanie Cain at 386-895-1958 or Melanie.Cain@FloridaDEP.gov to schedule a preconstruction conference.

2. All sand removed from the ramp shall be transported within the 30-foot easement of the ramp straight to the mean high-water line. Sand shall not be transported or placed outside of the easement.

3. Grading of the beach surface to allow vehicles access to the hard packed sand at the water shall be conducted only in an area extending from the point where the ramp intersects the beach at the seaward edge, and then directly east to the water’s edge. No grading may occur at the sides or north and south edges of the ramp. All grading must maintain the natural slope of the beach surface from the landward side of the graded area sloping down to the water.

4. Operators of mechanical grading equipment shall avoid all native, salt tolerant dune vegetation by a minimum of 10 feet.

5. Burial or storage of any debris (biotic or abiotic) collected is prohibited seaward of any frontal dune, vegetation line, or armoring structure. Removal of all accumulated material must occur immediately after grading has been performed in an area.

6. All work shall be conducted in accordance with the existing Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for Volusia

County beaches. This includes requisite training for any contractors operating on the marine turtle nesting beach. For more information about the HCP, please call (386) 238-4668.

7. Ramp grading is authorized to occur on the nesting beach (seaward of existing coastal armoring structures or the dune crest) during the marine turtle nesting season (May 1 – October 31) under the following conditions:

7.1. The Permittee shall ensure that surveys for marine turtle nesting activity are ongoing, and have been conducted daily since the beginning of marine turtle nesting season (May 1), in accordance with the following conditions:

7.1.1. It is the responsibility of the permittee to ensure that the project area and access sites are surveyed for marine turtle nesting activity. The Permittee shall ensure that nesting surveys are only conducted by personnel with a valid FWC Marine Turtle Permit, that covers all project activities as required by Chapter 68E-1, F.A.C. For information regarding any questions or issues related to the Marine Turtle Permit Holders in this area, contact the FWC at MTP@MyFWC.com.

7.1.2. A daily marine turtle nest survey shall be conducted in the project vicinity (including areas of beach access), no sooner than 30 minutes prior to sunrise, to determine if any nesting activity has occurred in the area prior to the commencement of any activities on the beach each day.

No ramp grading shall commence until 8:00 AM or daily notice has been received from the Marine Turtle Permit Holder that the morning survey has been completed and all nests marked.

7.1.3. Marine turtle nests laid within a ramp grading corridor shall be relocated, as authorized under the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Incidental Take Permit and Biological Opinion, and in accordance with the FWC Marine Turtle Conservation Handbook. Nests requiring relocation shall be moved no later than 9 AM the morning following deposition to a nearby self-release beach site in a secure setting where artificial lighting will not interfere with hatchling orientation. All other nests that cannot be relocated shall be conspicuously marked and left in place in accordance with the most current FWC guidelines. Ramp grading activities shall avoid all marked marine turtle nests.

7.2. The Permittee shall ensure that all heavy equipment shall traverse the beach on the wet sand as close to the water as practicable, if the access point is not onsite.

7.3. The Permittee shall ensure that all ramp grading equipment or materials be located off the beach. No nighttime storage of equipment on the beach is allowed. All activity on the beach shall cease prior to 7:00 PM or sundown each day (whichever is earlier), including, but not limited to, removing equipment from the beach, debris removal, and smoothing disturbances in the sand.

7.4. No temporary lighting of the construction area is authorized at any time during the marine turtle nesting season. No permanent lighting is authorized.

7.5. If a marine turtle nest is exposed, or a dead, injured, or sick marine turtle is discovered, the Permittee shall ensure that the Marine Turtle Permit Holder be notified immediately such that appropriate conservation measures can be taken. Within 24 hours of any such occurrence, a report of the incident (e.g., date, time, permit number, location, photos, contact information, incident and response descriptions) shall be sent to the FWC at MarineTurtle@MyFWC.com.

7.6. Following storm events between August 1 and November 30, when large quantities of seaweed are washed ashore, the County shall conduct systematic visual surveys of the wrack line (the zone at the high tide line where seaweed and flotsam accumulate) to collect live and dead hatchlings (collectively post hatchlings) that have been washed back onto the beach. These surveys reduce the potential for equipment operators to impact post-hatchling sea turtles when traversing the beach between vehicle access ramps. Equipment operators shall visually inspect the beach on foot within the ramp easement and 50 feet on either side to ensure no washbacks have been overlooked.

7.7 In accordance with the requirements set forth in the USFWS Incidental Take Permit, mechanized beach cleaning may not be conducted on the beach during the marine turtle nesting season (May 1 or the date of the first nest, whichever is earlier, through October 31 or the date of hatching of the last nest, whichever is later). The Incidental Take Permit requires that following storm events between August 1 and November 30, when large quantities of seaweed are washed ashore, the County shall conduct systematic visual surveys of the wrack line (the zone at the high tide line where seaweed and flotsam accumulate) to collect live and dead hatchlings (collectively post hatchlings) that have been washed back onto the beach. No mechanical beach cleaning shall be performed during November until after the County’s daily washback surveys have been completed, if required.

GENERAL PERMIT CONDITIONS:

(1) The following general permit conditions shall apply, unless waived by the Department or modified by the permit:

(a) The permittee shall carry out the construction or activity for which the permit was granted in accordance with the plans and specifications that were approved by the Department as part of the permit. Deviations therefrom, without written approval from the Department, shall be grounds for suspension of the work and revocation of the permit pursuant to section 120.60(7), F.S., and shall result in assessment of civil fines or issuance of an order to alter or remove the unauthorized work, or both. No other construction or activities shall be conducted. No modifications to project size, location, or structural design are authorized without prior written approval from the Department. A copy of the notice to proceed shall be conspicuously displayed at the project site. Approved plans shall be made available for inspection by a Department representative.

(b) The permittee shall conduct the construction or activity authorized under the permit using extreme care to prevent any adverse impacts to the beach and dune system, marine turtles, their nests and habitat, or adjacent property and structures.

(c) The permittee shall allow any duly identified and authorized member of the Department to enter upon the premises associated with the project authorized by the permit for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the terms of the permit and with the rules of the Department until all construction or activities authorized or required in the permit have been completed and all project performance reports, certifications, or other documents are received by the Department and determined to be consistent with the permit and approved plans.

(d) The permittee shall hold and save the State of Florida, the Department, and its officers and employees harmless from any damage, no matter how occasioned and no matter what the amount, to persons or property that might result from the construction or activity authorized under the permit and from any and all claims and judgments resulting from such damage.

(e) The permittee shall allow the Department to use all records, notes, monitoring data, and other information relating to construction or any activity under the permit, which are submitted, for any purpose necessary except where such use is otherwise specifically forbidden by law.

(f) Construction traffic shall not occur and building materials shall not be stored on vegetated areas seaward of the control line unless specifically authorized by the permit. If the Department determines that this requirement is not being met, positive control measures, such as temporary fencing, designated access roads, adjustment of construction sequence, or other requirements, shall be provided by the permittee at the direction of the Department. Temporary construction fencing shall not be sited within marine turtle nesting habitats.

(g) The permittee shall not disturb existing beach and dune topography and vegetation except as expressly authorized in the permit. Before the project is considered complete, any disturbed topography or vegetation shall be restored as prescribed in the permit with suitable fill material or revegetated with appropriate beach and dune vegetation. When required for mitigation, dune vegetation will be considered successfully established if within 180 days of planting, a minimum of 80 percent of the planting units survive, a minimum of 80 percent of the planted area is covered with native species and the vegetation is continuous without gaps along the shoreline.

(h) All fill material placed seaward of the CCCL shall meet the requirements of subsection 62B-33.005(7), F.A.C. All such fill material shall be free of construction debris, rocks, clay, or other foreign matter; and shall be obtained from a source landward of the CCCL.

(i) If surplus sand fill results from any approved excavation seaward of the control line, such material shall be distributed seaward of the control line on the site, as directed by the Department, unless otherwise specifically authorized by the permit. Sand fill placed seaward of the frontal dune, bluff or coastal armoring in marine turtle nesting habitat shall be configured such that it does not interfere with marine turtle nesting.

(j) Any native salt-tolerant vegetation destroyed during construction shall be replaced with plants of the same species or, by authorization of the Department, with other native salt-tolerant vegetation suitable for beach and dune stabilization. Unless otherwise specifically authorized by the Department, all plants installed in beach and coastal areas – whether to replace vegetation displaced, damaged, or destroyed during construction or otherwise – shall be of species indigenous to Florida beaches and dunes, such as sea oats, sea grape, saw palmetto, panic grass, saltmeadow hay cordgrass, seashore saltgrass, and railroad vine, and grown from stock indigenous to the region in which the project is located.

(k) All topographic restoration and revegetation work is subject to approval by the Department, and the status of restoration shall be reported as part of the final certification of the actual work performed.

(l) If not specifically authorized elsewhere in the permit, no operation, transportation, or storage of equipment or materials is authorized seaward of the dune crest or rigid coastal structure during the marine turtle nesting season. The marine turtle nesting season is May 1 through October 31 in all counties except Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward counties where leatherback turtle nesting occurs during the period of March 1 through October 31.

(m) If not specifically authorized elsewhere in the permit, no temporary lighting of the construction area is authorized at any time during the marine turtle nesting season and no additional permanent exterior lighting is authorized.

(n) All non-opaque walls, balcony railings, deck railings, windows and doors visible from any point on the beach must be tinted to a transmittance value (light transmission from inside to outside) of 45 percent or less through the use of tinted glass or window film.

(o) The permit has been issued to a specified property owner and is not valid for any other person unless formally transferred. An applicant requesting transfer of the permit shall sign the permit transfer agreement form, agreeing to comply with all terms and conditions of the permit, and return it to the Department. The transfer request shall be provided on the form entitled “Permit Transfer Agreement” – DEP Form 73-103 (Revised 1/04), which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference. No work shall proceed under the permit until the new owner has received a copy of the transfer agreement approved by the Department. A copy of the transfer agreement shall be displayed on the construction site along with the permit. An expired permit shall not be transferred. Copies of the “Permit Transfer Agreement” form are available at the following website:

https://floridadep.gov/rcp/coastal-construction-control-line/content/coastal-construction-control-line-cccl-forms.

(p) The permittee shall immediately inform the Department of any change of mailing address of the permittee and any authorized agent until all requirements of the permit are met.

(q) For permits involving habitable major structures, all construction on the permitted structure shall stop when the foundation pilings have been installed. At that time the foundation location form shall be submitted to and accepted by the Department prior to proceeding with further vertical construction above the foundation. The form shall be signed by a professional surveyor, licensed pursuant to chapter 472, F.S., and shall be based upon such surveys performed in accordance with chapter 472, F.S., as are necessary to determine the actual configuration and dimensioned relationship of the installed pilings to the control line. The information shall be provided to the Department using the form entitled “Foundation Location Certification” – DEP Form 73-114B (Revised 9/05), which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference. Phasing of foundation certifications is acceptable. The Department shall notify the permittee of approval or rejection of the form within seven (7) working days after staff receipt of the form. All survey information upon which the form is based shall be made available to the Department upon request. Permits for repairs or additions to existing structures with nonconforming foundations are exempt from this condition.

(r) For permits involving major structures and exterior lighting on major structures, the permittee shall provide the Department with a report by a registered professional within 30 days following completion of the work. For permits involving armoring or other rigid coastal structures, the permittee shall provide the Department with a report by an engineer licensed in the State of Florida within 30 days following completion of the work. The report shall state that all locations specified by the permit have been verified and that other construction and activities authorized by the permit, including exterior lighting, have been performed in compliance with the plans and project description approved as a part of the permit and all conditions of the permit; or shall describe any deviations from the approved plans, project description, or permit conditions, and any work not performed. Such report shall not relieve the permittee of the provisions of paragraph 62B- 33.0155(1)(a), F.A.C. If none of the permitted work is performed, the permittee shall inform the Department in writing no later than 30 days following expiration of the permit. The report shall be provided on the form entitled “Final Certification” DEP Form 73-115B (Revised 9/05), which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference. Copies of the “Final Certification” form are available at the following website:

https://floridadep.gov/rcp/coastal-construction-control-line/content/coastal-construction-control-line-cccl-forms.

(s) Authorization for construction of armoring or other rigid coastal structures is based on an engineering review and assessment of the design and anticipated performance and impact of the structure as a complete unit.

Construction of any less than the complete structure as approved by the Department is not authorized and shall result in the assessment of an administrative fine and the issuance of an order to remove the partially constructed structure. Modifications to the project size, location, or structural design shall be authorized by the Department in accordance with rule 62B-33.013, F.A.C.

(2) The permittee shall not commence any excavation, construction, or other physical activity on or encroaching on the sovereignty land of Florida seaward of the mean high water line or, if established, the erosion control line until the permittee has received from the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund the required lease, license, easement, or other form of consent authorizing the proposed use.

(3) The permittee shall obtain any applicable licenses or permits required by Federal, state, county, or municipal law.

(4) This permit does not authorize trespass onto other property.

(5) In the event of a conflict between a general permit condition and a special permit condition, the special permit condition shall prevail.

(6) Copies of any forms referenced above can be obtained by contacting the Department of Environmental

Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3522, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, at https://floridadep.gov/rcp/coastal-construction-control-line/content/coastal-construction-control-line-cccl-forms or by telephoning (850) 245-8570.

Approved plans are incorporated into this permit by reference.

NOTICE OF RIGHTS

This action is final and effective on the date filed with the Clerk of the Department unless a petition for an administrative hearing is timely filed under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S., before the deadline for filing a petition. On the filing of a timely and sufficient petition, this action will not be final and effective until further order of the Department. Because the administrative hearing process is designed to formulate final agency action, the hearing process may result in a modification of the agency action or even denial of the application.

Petition for Administrative Hearing A person whose substantial interests are affected by the Department’s action may petition for an administrative proceeding (hearing) under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S. Pursuant to Rules 28-106.201 and 28-106.301, F.A.C., a petition for an administrative hearing must contain the following information:

(a) The name and address of each agency affected and each agency’s file or identification number, if known;

(b) The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner; the name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s representative, if any, which shall be the address for service purposes during the course of the proceeding; and an explanation of how the petitioner’s substantial interests are or will be affected by the agency determination;

(c) A statement of when and how the petitioner received notice of the agency decision;

(d) A statement of all disputed issues of material fact. If there are none, the petition must so indicate;

(e) A concise statement of the ultimate facts alleged, including the specific facts that the petitioner contends warrant reversal or modification of the agency’s proposed action;

(f) A statement of the specific rules or statutes that the petitioner contends require reversal or modification of the agency’s proposed action, including an explanation of how the alleged facts relate to the specific rules or statutes; and

(g) A statement of the relief sought by the petitioner, stating precisely the action that the petitioner wishes the agency to take with respect to the agency’s proposed action.

The petition must be filed (received by the Clerk) in the Office of General Counsel of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, or via electronic correspondence at Agency_Clerk@dep.state.fl.us. Also, a copy of the petition shall be mailed to the applicant at the address indicated above at the time of filing.

Time Period for Filing a Petition In accordance with Rule 62-110.106(3), F.A.C., petitions for an administrative hearing by the applicant and persons entitled to written notice under Section 120.60(3), F.S., must be filed within 21days of receipt of this written notice. Petitions filed by any persons other than the applicant, and other than those entitled to written notice under Section 120.60(3), F.S., must be filed within 21 days of publication of the notice or within 21 days of receipt of the written notice, whichever occurs first. The failure to file a petition within the appropriate time period shall constitute a waiver of that person's right to request an administrative determination (hearing) under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S., or to intervene in this proceeding and participate as a party to it. Any subsequent intervention (in a proceeding initiated by another party) will be only at the discretion of the presiding officer upon the filing of a motion in compliance with Rule 28-106.205, F.A.C.

Extension of Time Under Rule 62-110.106(4), F.A.C., a person whose substantial interests are affected by the Department’s action may also request an extension of time to file a petition for an administrative hearing. The Department may, for good cause shown, grant the request for an extension of time. Requests for extension of time must be filed with the Office of General Counsel of the Department at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, or via electronic correspondence at Agency_Clerk@dep.state.fl.us, before the deadline for filing a petition for an administrative hearing. A timely request for extension of time shall toll the running of the time period for filing a petition until the request is acted upon.

Mediation Mediation is not available in this proceeding.

Judicial Review Once this decision becomes final, any party to this action has the right to seek judicial review pursuant to Section 120.68, F.S., by filing a Notice of Appeal pursuant to Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.110 and 9.190 with the Clerk of the Department in the Office of General Counsel (Station #35, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000) and by filing a copy of the Notice of Appeal accompanied by the applicable filing fees with the appropriate district court of appeal. The notice must be filed within 30 days from the date this action is filed with the Clerk of the Department.

EXECUTION AND CLERKING

Executed in Tallahassee, Florida.

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

David A. Kriger, Permit Manager Coastal Construction Control Line Program Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

The undersigned duly designated deputy clerk hereby certifies that this document and all attachments were sent on the filing date below to the following listed persons:

Jessica Fentress, Volusia County Coastal Division Director, jfentress@volusia.org Niles Cyzycki, Volusia County Coastal Division, ncyzycki@volusia.org Melanie Cain, FDEP CCCL Field Inspector, Melanie.Cain@FloridaDEP.gov Eric Seckinger, FWC Imperiled Species Management Section, eric.seckinger@myfwc.com FWC Imperiled Species Management Section, marineturtle@myfwc.com Jennifer Winters, Volusia County Habitat Conservation Plan Manager, jwinters@volusia.org

FILING AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

FILED, on this date, pursuant to Section 120.52, F. S., with the designated Department Clerk, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.

Clerk Date

3/27/2025 is hereby acknow

Clerk