Draft permit for a wastewater treatment facility in Panama City.

Notice of Draft Permit
In the Matter of an Application for Permit by: City of Panama City File Number FL0170909-011-DW1P Neil Howard, Superintendent of Wastewater Public Works Bay County 1800 East 3rd Street Millville AWT Facility, Panama City, Florida 32401, nhoward@panamacity.gov
The Department of Environmental Protection gives notice of its preparation of a draft permit for the proposed project as detailed in the application specified above, for the reasons stated below. The applicant, City of Panama City, applied on January 2, 2020, to the Department of Environmental Protection for a permit to operate a 5.0 MGD domestic wastewater treatment facility which would discharge 5.0 MGD of effluent to St. Andrew Bay. The facility is located at 
latitude 30o 9' 5.8534" N, longitude 85o 38' 15.3318" W on 1800 E 3rd St, Panama City, Florida 32401-4800 in Bay County. The Department has permitting jurisdiction under Chapter 403, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and applicable rules of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). The project is not exempt from permitting procedures. The Department has determined that a wastewater permit is required for the proposed work. Based upon the application and supplemental information, the Department has determined that the applicant has provided reasonable assurance that the above describe wastewater project complies with the applicable provisions of Chapter 403, F.S., and Title 62 of the F.A.C. Under Section 403.815, F.S., and Rule 62-620.550, F.A.C., you (the applicant) are required to
publish at your own expense the enclosed Notice of Draft Permit and Request for Public Comment. The notice must be published one time only within 30 days of receipt of this draft permit in the legal ad section of a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected. For the purpose of this rule, "publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected" means publication in a newspaper meeting the requirements of Sections 50.011 and 50.031, F.S., in the county where the activity is to take place. Where there is more than one newspaper of general circulation in the county, the newspaper used should be one with significant circulation in the area that may be affected by the permit. If you are uncertain that a newspaper meets these FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF Environmental Protection Northwest District Office, 160 W. Government Street, Suite 308, Pensacola, Florida 32502-5794 PERMITTEE: City of Panama City FACILITY: Millville AWT Facility Notice of Draft Permit FILE NUMBER: FL0170909-011-DW1P Page 2 of 3 requirements, please contact the Department at the address or telephone number listed below. The applicant must provide proof of publication to the Department's Northwest District Office, 160 W. Government Street, Suite 308, Pensacola, Florida 32502-5794 within two weeks of publication. Failure to publish the notice and provide proof of publication within the allotted time may result in the denial of the permit. NOTICE OF RIGHTS The Department intends to issue the permit with the attached conditions 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 Savannah Cowen, 160 W. Government Street, Suite 308, Pensacola, Florida 32502-5794, 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 Northwest 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 from the permit applicant and persons entitled to notice under Rule 62-620.550, F.A.C., must be received within 30 days of receipt of this draft permit. Comments submitted by other persons 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.
April 26 2026
LSAR0503943