(1) A person or entity must obtain a Special Use Authorization to use District Lands for activities not specifically authorized by this chapter.
    (2) For recreational activities specifically authorized by this chapter involving 25 or more participants, a Special Use Authorization must be obtained on behalf of the group.
    (3) To receive a Special Use Authorization the applicant must provide reasonable assurance in writing that:
    (a) The requested use is natural resource-based,
    (b) The requested use will not permanently alter District Lands or involve the placing of any structure or facility on District Lands,
    (c) The requested use is consistent with the management plan for the District Lands involved,
    (d) The requested use will not harm the environmental or historical resources of the District Lands,
    (e) The requested use will not cause unreasonable expense to the District,
    (f) The requested use will not create a substantial risk of liability to the District,
    (g) The requested use will not harm any dam, impoundment, works, water control structures, roads, or District-owned facilities or equipment,
    (h) The requested use will not interfere with District water management, leased, licensed, or authorized uses of the land, and
    (i) The requested use will not interfere with any other use allowed by the rules in this chapter.
    (4) The District shall impose upon any Special Use Authorization issued pursuant to this chapter such reasonable conditions as are necessary to assure that the use or activity authorized will meet the criteria set forth in this chapter.
    (5) Any person must apply for a Special Use Authorization according to the following procedure:
    (a) Submit request by email to:
Land@swfwmd.state.fl.us, or by mail to:
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Operations and Land Management Bureau
2379 Broad Street
Brooksville, FL 34604-6899
    (b) If the requested use will create a substantial risk of liability to the District, the District may require the applicant to mitigate substantial risk of liability by:
    1. Providing proof of liability and property damage insurance naming the District as an additional insured in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of the liability which is posed to the District, or
    2. Providing waivers or releases of liability sufficient to eliminate the liability posed to the District.
    (6) Any person receiving a Special Use Authorization from the District must have the Special Use Authorization in their possession at all times while on District Lands.
    (7) Special Use Authorizations shall be subject to terms, conditions, and restrictions as may be prescribed therein. Failure to abide by all terms and conditions shall be a violation of the authorization and this chapter.
    (8) The District shall revoke a Special Use Authorization if the grantee violates the authorization or engages in a use not specifically authorized.
    (9) A Special Use Authorization does not eliminate the necessity to obtain any required federal, state, or local approval or permit prior to the start of any authorized use.
Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.1391(6) FS. Law Implemented 373.1391, 373.59 FS. History-New 7-20-04, Amended 6-23-21.