Can anyone tell me?

[BamaContractor]

What is the simplest way to know when I bid a job if I'm going to need a permit for that job just to cut down trees and mow it? Also, in Florida they are big on protecting "wetlands". Any advice for staying on top of that? And what actually qualifies? Thanks

 

[cbturf]

With BAMA in your name I would have lost money on you being in Florida. If I give you information it will most likely be wrong since each jurisdiction is different. I would suggest that you contact the local codes department for the area you are working since they will be the ones issuing any permits needed.

 

[BamaContractor]

I'm on the Bama/Florida line actually, and work in both states. But trust me, the difference between Al/Fl when it comes to government regulation is night and day. Florida is way overkill on everything. That's really why I'd like to find a way to know exactly what it will take (as far as red tape goes) every time I look at a job without having to call the county every time.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Here in Ga. the guidlines dirt. If you dig with a bucket you need a permit. As for a mulcher it isn't designed to dig and will for the most part stay out of the dirt. That is what I was told while I was attending the EPA card class they told me after I didn't need. I would recomend that class just to be less hassled.
Wetland here are a little vaige(sp) I go by if it has cattails to leave alone. The ponds I have mulched they let me leave the chips because I had ground them so small. If you leave them larger they could require you to remove them. Also as long as we didn't damage the pond they where happy. The local code enforcement actually require them to be mowed. So with that they will gladly give you guidlines because you are making there job easier by making the pond healthy and easy to inspect later. That is there goal to inprove the retention ponds by cleaning the vegetation up now and later increasing there capacity by desilting(digging) them out.

 

[ToadHill]

Look for the county you will be working and see if they have an internet site. Most countys do and you can access overlay maps that show all wetlands and many other things like Mines, abandoned wells etc.

 

[Blackhammer]

Forida sucks as far as what you need a permit for. If you ask 10 different county employees a question you will get 10 different answers. I know about the wetlands issue. I am in a lawsuit over some land I bought and it is worthless because of being wetlands. The only way to be sure if the property is wetland is to go down to the local EPC office or Swiftmud and they have maps of different areas that are "Known wetlands". If you mow wetlands and get caught there are severe fines and you have to re create the wetlands and maintain it for a certain period of time. If you have a job that is questionable I would go to one of these offices and look up the parcle Id and do a little leg work. Eitherway it is not fun. I would put you are not responsible for checking for wetlands in your contract and you will not be responsible for any damage done to wetlands not known by you. Ignorance is not an exception for the law but it might help. Good luck.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

What is the simplest way to know when I bid a job if I'm going to need a permit for that job just to cut down trees and mow it? Also, in Florida they are big on protecting "wetlands". Any advice for staying on top of that? And what actually qualifies? Thanks

Are you asking about tree ordinances that require permits to take trees or a percentage of trees? If so, it is probably up to the jurisdiction and city that has the ETJ in that area. Some counties will require permits for tree clearing, I suppose, but it is probably more on the local city level.
The EPA has delegated to some of the state's protection agencies. Mowing and mulching is a "BMP or best managemen practice" since you aren't technically disturbing the soil and providing erosion control. The EPA phase II requirement cover any development over 1 AC. As long as you are mulching or shearing and chipping, you are probably fine on the general permit up to 5 AC. Above that, they may want to see a plan especially if there could be discharge from the site (storm water).

At least in Texas, certain areas are watched closely because of endangered migratory birds. Though cedar clearing is a big business here, if you clear large tracts, you could raise the eyebrows of the USFWS and they have defined "habitat destruction" as an offense against protected species. Can be a real pain in any state. I'm sure Florida has plenty of rules and regulations. If it is a large job, might be worth contacting local wildlife biologists or consultants to see if anything in the area is protected.