Florida Administrative Code 18 - BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND
Here’s a clear breakdown of Florida Administrative Code (FAC) Chapter 18, which governs the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund:
📘 Overview of FAC Chapter 18
Division 18 – Departmental (covers Chapters 18‑1 through 18‑24)
This section lays out rules empowering the Board to manage and regulate state lands — including uplands, submerged lands, aquatic preserves, and land acquisitions.
🏞️ Key Chapters & Topics
| Chapter | Title & Focus |
|---|---|
| 18‑1 | State Land Acquisition Procedures — processes for state land purchases and exchanges (regulations.justia.com) |
| 18‑2 | Management of Uplands — standards for lands vested in the Board |
| 18‑14 | Administrative Fines — penalties for damaging state lands or their products |
| 18‑18 | Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve — management, protection, and use of that preserve |
| 18‑20 | Florida Aquatic Preserves — broader rules for aquatic preservation statewide |
| 18‑21 | Sovereignty Submerged Lands — governs submerged lands & coordinating regulatory/proprietary authority |
| 18‑23 | State Buffer Preserves — buffer zones to protect sensitive lands |
| 18‑24 | Florida Forever Land Acquisition & Management — guidelines for acquiring and managing conservation lands |
⚖️ Authority & Governance
Proprietary & regulatory authority
The Board — essentially the Governor & Cabinet — holds ownership authority over sovereign submerged lands and can regulate their use via FAC 18‑21. Regulations coordinate both proprietary and environmental permitting (18‑21.00401, 18‑21.0051) (floridadep.gov).
Definitions
“Board” includes delegates like the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection or District Water Management staff, who act on its behalf (casetext.com).
✅ Practical Impact
Ensures state lands (upland, submerged, aquatic, etc.) are acquired, used, leased, or conserved under strict rules for the public interest.
Protects sensitive areas with preserves and buffer zones.
Offers a structured framework for fines, permits, leases, and development in state lands and waters.
Mandates coordination among agencies — DEP, water management districts — to streamline permitting.
🛠️ Accessing the Text
The official authoritative text resides in the Florida Administrative Code, last updated via Elaws/eLaws (June–May 2025) (m.flsenate.gov, floridadep.gov, flrules.elaws.us). For precise language, review the full rule text:
eLaws FAC Title 18 – Board of Trustees
Specific chapter links (e.g., Chapter 18‑21 for submerged lands, 18‑20 for aquatic preserves)
🔍 Need More?
Want the exact rule language (e.g. section 18‑21.003 or 18‑1.001)?
Looking to know which chapter governs your specific interest (e.g. leasing submerged lands)?
Curious about how timeframes, fees, or enforcement are handled in a given section?
RELATED Blog
0 comments