The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game seasons on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) where hunting with centerfire rifles is already allowed during other seasons, ....

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-15.004General Regulations Relating to Wildlife Management Areas

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game seasons on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) where hunting with centerfire rifles is already allowed during other seasons, except as otherwise specified by area specific rule. The effect of the proposed amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would allow hunting with centerfire rifles during small game seasons on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) where hunting with centerfire rifles is already allowed during other seasons, except as otherwise specified by area specific rule.

Additionally, the proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as formatting corrections, grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; Sections 379.2223, Florida Statutes.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 25-26, 2021, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Live video conference broadcast via Adobe Connect and The Florida Channel.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: the ADA Coordinator, at [phone].. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: George Warthen, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68A-15.004 General Regulations Relating to Wildlife Management Areas.

(1) through (3) No change.

(4) Legal to hunt:

(a) through (j) No change.

(k) Notwithstanding the provisions in Rule 68A-13.008, F.A.C., shooting hours for mourning doves and white-winged doves shall be noon until sunset during the first phase of mourning dove and white-winged dove season unless otherwise provided by specific area regulation.

(5) No change.

(6) Guns:

(a) No change.

(b) Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(c) through (e) renumbered (b) through (d) No change.

(7) through (16) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2021

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 379.354 FS. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 6-4-81, 6-21-82, 6-9-83, 9-27-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, Formerly 39-15.04, Amended 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 4-13-88, 8-18-88, 4-19-90, 4-4-91, 4-14-92, 10-22-92, 7-26-94, 11-6-94, 3-30-95, 10-23-95, 9-15-96, 6-1-97, 7-1-98, 12-28-98, 4-15-99, Formerly 39-15.004, Amended 7-1-00, 6-2-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-29-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 1-1-11, 5-2-12, 4-9-13, 7-1-14, 7-1-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-18, 7-1-19, 9-13-20, 7-1-21.

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED.  IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.R.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: George Warthen, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 17, 2020

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 19, 2020