The District’s authorization to utilize lands and other works constitutes a revocable license (including both notice general permits and standard permits). In consideration for receipt of that license, Permittees shall agree to be bound by the following standard limiting conditions, which shall be included within all permits issued pursuant to this chapter:
    (1) All structures on District works or lands constructed by Permittee shall remain the property of Permittee, who shall be solely responsible for ensuring that such structures and other uses remain in good and safe condition. Permittees are advised that other federal, state and local safety standards may govern the occupancy and use of the District’s lands and works. The District assumes no duty with regard to ensuring that such uses are so maintained and assumes no liability with regard to injuries caused to others by any such failure.
    (2) Permittee solely acknowledges and accepts the duty and all associated responsibilities to incorporate safety features, which meet applicable engineering practice and accepted industry standards, into the design, construction, operation and continued maintenance of the permitted facilities/authorized use. This duty shall include, but not be limited to, Permittee’s consideration of the District’s regulation and potential fluctuation, without notice, of water levels in canals and works, as well as the Permittee’s consideration of upgrades and modifications to the permitted facilities/authorized use which may be necessary to meet any future changes to applicable engineering practice and accepted industry standards. Permittee acknowledges that the District’s review and issuance of this permit, including, but not limited to, any field inspections performed by the District, does not in any way consider or ensure that the permitted facilities/authorized use is planned, designed, engineered, constructed, or will be operated, maintained or modified so as to meet applicable engineering practice and accepted industry standards, or otherwise provide any safety protections. Permittee further acknowledges that any inquiries, discussions, or representations, whether verbal or written, by or with any District staff or representative during the permit review and issuance process, including, but not limited to, any field inspections, shall not in any way be relied upon by permittee as the District’s assumption of any duty to incorporate safety features, as set forth above, and shall also not be relied upon by Permittee in order to meet Permittee’s duty to incorporate safety features, as set forth above.
    (3) Permittee agrees to abide by all of the terms and conditions of this permit, including any representations made on the permit application and related documents. This permit shall be subject to the requirements of Florida Statutes Chapter 373, and Fl. Admin. Code Chapter 40E-6, including all subsequent rule and criteria revisions. Permittee agrees to pay all removal and restoration costs, investigative costs, court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees, including appeals, resulting from any action taken by the District to obtain compliance with the conditions of the permit or removal of the permitted use. If District legal action is taken by staff counsel, “”reasonable attorney’s fees”” is understood to mean the fair market value of the services provided, based upon what a private attorney would charge.
    (4) This permit does not create any vested rights, and except for governmental entities and utilities, is revocable at will upon reasonable prior written notice. Permittee bears all risk of loss as to monies expended in furtherance of the permitted use. Upon revocation, the Permittee shall promptly modify, relocate or remove the permitted use and properly restore the right of way to the District’s satisfaction. In the event of failure to so comply within the specified time, the District may remove the permitted use and Permittee shall be responsible for all removal and restoration costs.
    (5) This permit does not convey any property rights nor any rights or privileges other than those specified herein and this permit shall not, in any way, be construed as an abandonment or any other such impairment or disposition of the District’s property rights. The District approves the permitted use only to the extent of its interest in the works of the District. Permittee shall obtain all other necessary federal, state, local, special district and private authorizations prior to the start of any construction or alteration authorized by the permit. Permittee shall comply with any more stringent conditions or provisions which may be set forth in other required permits or other authorizations. The District, however, assumes no duty to ensure that any such authorizations have been obtained or to protect the legal rights of the underlying fee owner, in those instances where the District owns less than fee.
    (6) Unless specifically prohibited or limited by statute, Permittee agrees to indemnify, defend and save the District (which used herein includes the District and its past, present and/or future employees, agents, representatives, officers and/or Governing Board members and any of their successors and assigns) from and against any and all lawsuits, actions, claims, demands, losses, expenses, costs, attorneys fees (including but not limited to the fair market value of the District’s in-house attorneys’ fees based upon private attorneys’ fees/rates), judgments and liabilities which arise from or may be related to the ownership, construction, maintenance or operation of the permitted use or the possession, utilization, maintenance, occupancy or ingress and egress of the District’s right of way which arise directly or indirectly and are caused in whole or in part by the acts, omissions or negligence of the Permittee or of third parties. Permittee agrees to provide legal counsel acceptable to the District if requested for the defense of any such claims.
    (7) The District does not waive sovereign immunity in any respect.
    (8) The Permittee shall not engage in any activity regarding the permitted use which interferes with the construction, alteration, maintenance or operation of the works of the District, including:
    (a) Discharge of debris or aquatic weeds into the works of the District;
    (b) Causing erosion or shoaling within the works of the District;
    (c) Planting trees or shrubs or erecting structures which limit or prohibit access by District equipment and vehicles, except as may be authorized by the permit. Permittee shall be responsible for any costs incurred by the District resulting from any such interference, as set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), above.
    (d) Leaving construction or other debris on the District’s right of way or waterway;
    (e) Damaging District berms and levees;
    (f) The removal of District owned spoil material;
    (g) Removal of or damage to District locks, gates, and fencing;
    (h) Opening of District rights of way to unauthorized vehicular access; or
    (i) Running or allowing livestock on the District’s right of way.
    (9) The District is not responsible for any personal injury or property damage which may directly or indirectly result from the use of water from the District’s canal or any activities which may include use or contact with water from the District’s canal, since the District periodically sprays its canals for aquatic weed control purposes and uses substances which may be harmful to human health or plant life.
    (10) Permittee shall allow the District to inspect the permitted use at any reasonable time.
    (11) Permittee shall allow, without charge or any interference, the District, its employees, agents, and contractors, to utilize the permitted facilities before, during and after construction for the purpose of conducting the District’s, routine and emergency, canal operation, maintenance, and construction activities. To the extent there is any conflicting use, the District’s use shall have priority over the Permittee’s use.
    (12) This permit is a non-exclusive revocable license. Permittee shall not interfere with any other existing or future permitted uses or facilities authorized by the District.
    (13) The District has the right to change, regulate, limit, schedule, or suspend discharges into, or withdrawals from, works of the District in accordance with criteria established by the Big Cypress Basin, the District, or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the works of the District.
    (14) If the use involves the construction of facilities for a non exempt water withdrawal or surface water discharge, the applicant must apply for and obtain a water use or surface water management permit before or concurrently with any activities which may be conducted pursuant to the right of way occupancy permit.
    (15) The District shall notify the local ad valorem taxing authority of the lands affected by the permitted use, where the Permittee owns the underlying fee and derives a substantial benefit from the permitted use. The taxing authority may reinstate such lands on the tax roll. Failure to pay all taxes in a timely manner shall result in permit revocation. Such permit revocation shall not alleviate the responsibility of the Permittee to pay all taxes due and payable.
    (16) Permittee shall provide prior written notice to their successors in title of the permit and its terms and conditions.
    (17) Permittee authorizes the District to record a Notice of Permit through filing the appropriate notice in the public records of the county or counties where the project is located. Governmental entities and utilities are not subject to this provision.
    (18) Permittee shall be responsible for the repair or replacement of any existing facilities located within the District’s right of way which are damaged as a result of the installation or maintenance of the authorized facility.
    (19) All obligations under the terms of this permit authorization and any subsequent modifications hereto shall be joint and several as to all owners.
    (20) It is the responsibility of the Permittee to make prospective bidders aware of the terms and conditions of this permit. It shall be the responsibility of the Permittee’s contractors to understand the terms and conditions of this permit and govern themselves accordingly.
    (21) It is the responsibility of the Permittee to bring to the attention of the District any conflict in the permit authorization or permit conditions in order that they may be resolved prior to the start of construction. In resolving such conflicts the District’s determination will be final.
    (22) Special Conditions that are site specific shall be incorporated into every Permit as may be necessary in the best interest of the District.
    (23) The District is not responsible for the repair of or claims of damage to any facilities and uses which may incur damage resulting from the District’s utilization of its rights of way or use by third parties. Improvements placed within the right of way are done so at the sole risk of the owner.
Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113 FS. Law Implemented 373.085(1), 373.086, 373.103, 373.109, 373.129, 373.1395, 373.603, 373.609, 373.613 FS. History-New 9-3-81, Formerly 16K-5.01(2), 16K-5.02(2), 16K-5.03(2), 16K-5.04(4), 16K-5.05, Amended 5-30-82, 12-29-86, 12-24-91, 9-15-99, 8-12-13.