STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NOTICE OF DRAFT PERMIT
The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice of its preparation of a draft permit to Butler Oaks Farm, Inc., Butler Benjamin, 172 Shady Oaks Lane, Lorida, Florida 33857 for the Butler Oaks Farm Dairy. This permit authorized the permittee to operate the subject Cocentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) wastewater management facility at its dairy farm. The facility is located at latitude 27 degrees 17' 43.2886'' N, longitude 81 degrees 1' 35.6179'' W on 172 Shady Oaks Ln, Lorida, Florida 33857-9496 in Highlands County. The Department has assigned permit file number FLA136557-010-IW4A to the proposed project.
The permit application file and supporting data are available for public inspection during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, at the Department's Southeast District Office, 3301 Gun Club Road, MSC 7210-1, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406-3007, at phone number (561)681-6600.
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
The Department intends to issue the permit unless as a result of public comment appropriate changes are made.
Written Comments or Request for Public Meeting
Any interested person may submit written comments on the Department's proposed permitting decision or may submit a written request for a public meeting to Ayyad Kit, 3301 Gun Club Road, MSC 7210-1, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406-3007, in accordance with Rule 62-620.555, F.A.C. The comments or request for a public meeting must contain the information set forth below and must be received in the Department's Southeast District Office.
The comments or request for a public meeting must contain the following information:
(a) The commenter's name, address, and telephone number; the applicant's name and address; the Department permit file number; and the county in which the project is proposed;
(b) A statement of how and when notice of the Department's action or proposed action was received;
(c) A statement of the facts the Department should consider in making the final decision;
(d) A statement of which rules or statutes require reversal or modification of the Department's action or proposed action; and
(e) If desired, a request that a public meeting be scheduled, including a statement of the nature of the issues proposed to be raised at the meeting.
If a public meeting is held, any person may submit oral or written statements and data at the public meeting on the Department's proposed action. As a result of significant public comment, the Department's final action may be different from the position taken by it in this draft permit.
Time Period for Submitting Written Comments or Requesting a Public Meeting
Comments submitted by any persons other than the applicant, and other than those entitled to notice under Rule 62-620.550, F.A.C., must be received within 30 days of publication of the public notice. Failure to submit comments or request a public meeting within this time period shall constitute a waiver of any right such person may have to submit comments or request a public meeting under Rule 62-620.555, F.A.C.
If a public meeting is scheduled, the public comment period is extended until the close of the public meeting. However, the Department may not always grant a request for a public meeting. Therefore, written comments should be submitted within 30 days of publication of this notice, even if a public meeting is requested.
May 8, 2026