Collier Development Corp. v. State, Department of Environmental Protection

Collier Development Corporation (CDC) was denied a dredge and fill permit by the State of Florida, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The hearing before the initial hearing officer consumed thirty-six days, spread over six months. Two hundred one exhibits were introduced, and the transcript numbered over 7,000 pages. Subsequently, CDC moved to disqualify the original hearing officer. That hearing officer entered an order disqualifying herself, and William F. Quattlebaum became the new hearing officer. Quattlebaum read the entire record and issued a recommended order adverse to CDC.…