The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to adjust how season dates are described to better conform to calendar year changes on miscellaneous areas and adjust specific area regulations regarding centerfire rifles during ....

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-15.006Regulations Relating to Miscellaneous Areas

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to adjust how season dates are described to better conform to calendar year changes on miscellaneous areas and adjust specific area regulations regarding centerfire rifles during small game season in response to proposed changes in rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on miscellaneous areas.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would adjust how season dates are described to better conform to calendar year changes on miscellaneous areas and adjust specific area regulations regarding centerfire rifles during small game season in response to proposed changes in rule 68A-15.004, F.A.C. Additionally, the proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as 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.

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, 2020, 8:30 a.m. – 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-15.006 Regulations Relating to Miscellaneous Areas.

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) Babcock Ranch Preserve.

(a) Open season (in the Tier I hunt area):

1. Archery – Opening 49 days prior the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., and closing 10 days thereafter (Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays only) August 1-4 and August 8-11.

2. Muzzleloading gun – Opening 14 days prior to the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. and closing two days thereafter September 5-7.

3. Family – Opening the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. and closing 1 day thereafter and reopening 90 days later and closing 1 day thereafter September 19-20 and December 19-20.

4. General gun for mobility-impaired – Opening 77 days after the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. and closing 2 days thereafter December 5-7.

5. General gun – Opening 7 days after the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. and closing 9 days thereafter, reopening 68 days later and closing 2 days therafter (Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays only) September 26-28, October 3-5 and December 12-14.

6. Small game – Opening 112 days after the first day of the Zone A antlered deer season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. and closing 15 days thereafter, reopening 13 days later and closing 1 day thereafter January 9-24 and February 6-7 (Saturdays and Sundays only).

7. Spring turkey – Opening the first day of spring turkey season established by rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C. and closing 9 days thereafter (Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays only) March 6-8 and 13-15.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Regulations controlling activities within the Tier I hunt area:

1. through 14. No change.

15. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(d) Regulations controlling activities in the Tier II hunt areas:

1. through 13. No change.

14. Taking wildlife with centerfire rifles is prohibited during small game season.

(e) through (f) No change.

(4) through (6) No change.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2021

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art IV, Sec 9, Fla. Const. History–New 12-9-99, Amended 5-13-02, 5-1-03, 5-23-04, 7-1-06, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-1-10, 11-9-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 8-1-13, 7-1-14, 7-1-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 7-1-18, 7-1-19, 7-1-20, 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