Number:
INFORMAL
Issued
Federal Aviation Administration
Air Traffic Manager
Unmanned Aircraft Tactical Operations, AJV-115
490 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Suite 3200
Washington, DC 20024
Re: Declaration for Certificate of Authorization/Public Declaration Letter
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Dear Sir or Madam:
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has advised this office that the Federal Aviation Administration requires the department to obtain a letter from the Florida Attorney General certifying that the department is an entity of the state. This letter serves as the official confirmation by Florida's Attorney General that the Florida Department of Environmental qualifies as a department and agency of the State of Florida.
Chapter 20, Florida Statutes, sets forth the organizational structure for Florida state government. Section 20.03, Florida Statutes, provides uniform nomenclature throughout the state executive branch of government and states that "'Department' means the principal administrative unit within the executive branch of state government."[1] Section 20.255, Florida Statutes, creates the Department of Environmental Protection. The Department is an "Agency" of state government and, as such, is designated an entity of government in Florida.[2] Thus, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection qualifies as a department of government of the State of Florida.
In sum, under Florida law, the Department of Environmental Protection is considered to be a department of state government and a public entity of this state. This letter constitutes the Florida Attorney General's assurance that FDEP is a department of Florida state government and an entity of government under Florida law.
Sincerely,
Pam Bondi
Attorney General
PB/tgh
cc: Kenneth Rainer
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
505 Guana River Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082
______________________________________________________________________
[1] See ss. 20.03(2) and 20.04, Fla. Stat., designating a department as the principal administrative unit of the executive branch of state government.
[2] See s. 20.03(11), Fla. Stat., defining an "Agency" to include a department.