Can you start clearing land immediately after receiving the NOI and acknowledgment letter?

In Florida, after submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) for a stormwater permit, it is not permissible to begin land clearing immediately upon receiving the acknowledgment letter. The correct answer is based on the regulations that require a waiting period to ensure that various environmental and permitting evaluations are fully processed.

Specifically, this waiting period typically allows for the review of any potential environmental impacts and ensures that the necessary reviews are complete, including compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. This process is crucial for protecting water quality and managing stormwater runoff effectively. Beginning land-clearing operations prematurely could lead to violations of environmental regulations and is discouraged to promote responsible land management practices.

Therefore, it is essential to wait until all approvals and permits are fully obtained before commencing any land-clearing activities.