How to Dredge a Boat Slip in Florida
- 1). Download the "Joint Application for Environmental Resource Permit." See References for a link to the form. This is a joint application as you need to obtain permission to dredge from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as well as the Water Management District Office applicable for your area. Five Water Management Offices cover Northwest Florida, Suwanee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida and South Florida.
- 2). Fill out the application for an "Individual Permit", including Sections A, C and D of the form. You will be required to fill in your personal details, an overview of the dredging as well as an impact summary of the project. Sign the application.
- 3). Complete the drawings and explanation of the dredging project that are required to accompany the permit form. Draw the area where you plan to dredge on a local map, list the waterways impacted by the dredging and write up a project plan as per the specifications listed in Sections C and D.
- 4). Make four photocopies of the "Joint Application for Environmental Resource Permit" form. Make five copies of the drawings and project plan.
- 5). Write out a check for the application fee, which is listed within the "Joint Application for Environmental Resource Permit" form.
- 6). Mail in the original, signed "Joint Application for Environmental Resource Permit" form, four photocopies of the form, five copies of the drawings and project plan of the dredging area plus the application fee to the local DEP address listed in Attachment 4 of the form. Do not send the forms separately to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the Florida DEP will forward a copy on your behalf.
- 7). Wait for the permits to arrive from the appropriate authorities before you start dredging your boat slip.
- 8). Rent dredge equipment from a local dealer. You will need a smaller, maneuverable, gasoline-powered dredge boat for dredging a boat slip. You can have this equipment transported to you by truck. The other alternative is to hire a local company to do the dredging, with their own equipment. This may be a more expensive option, but professionals will then complete the job.
- 9). Rent a dump truck to carry away the mud, silt or sand that you remove from the waterway. This step is only applicable if you wish to remove the dredging materials from your property. Locate the truck as close as possible to the boat slip where you wish to dredge.
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Top up the gas and oil levels in the dredge machinery, if required. - 11
Launch the dredge into the water via a ramp or boat sling. Move the dredge over to the area of the boat slip and drop the suction hose into the area that you wish to dredge. - 12
Hook up a sufficiently long industrial discharge hose from the dredging machine to the dump truck. - 13
Turn on the pump within the dredge machine. This will suck the bottom mud, silt or sand from the water way and deposit it in the pick-up truck. Repeat this process until you have your desired depth at the boat slip, using the depth finder as a guide. - 14
Check with your local Waste Management District Office regarding the appropriate disposal of the dredged materials before you dispose of it. There are a number of sites in Florida available for the disposal of dredged materials, for a fee. Return the rented dredging equipment. - 15
Motor your boat into your newly dredged boat slip.
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