DEP Opens Field Office in Walton County

-Office Provides Dedicated Service to Help Hurricane Dennis Recovery-

SANTA ROSA BEACH - The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today opened a field office in Walton County to assist with the recovery efforts from Hurricane Dennis. Staffed by DEP employees, the office will provide emergency field permitting support for area residents and assist local governments by providing technical assistance with hurricane recovery efforts.

The DEP field office is located at:

South Walton Courthouse Annex
31 Coastal Centre Blvd., Suite 100
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
Telephone: 850-267-1955
Fax: 850-622-9133

Under the 60-day Emergency Final Order signed by DEP on July 11, 2005, residents and local governments in Monroe, Bay, Franklin, Wakulla, Gulf, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton and Okaloosa counties can repair or restore the following structures to the authorized configuration without a DEP permit:

• Public roads, utilities, and beach access ramps.
  
  
• Components of major structures such as windows, roof sheathing, studs and roof trusses.
  
  
• Minor ancillary structures and service utilities associated with existing habitable structures, such as access stairways, stair landings and on-site utilities.

The Emergency Final Order authorizes local governments to issue permits for activities seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line to private and public property owners to temporarily secure structures, remove safety hazards and prevent further damage or collapse of foundations. Property owners should contact the building department of their local government to obtain permits.

For more information please visit www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/em/default.htm.