The purpose of the proposed rule change is to consolidate rules on establishment of Critical Wildlife Areas (CWAs) and provide the Executive Director, with the oversight of the Commission, limited authority to establish a CWA for a restricted period ...

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68A-14.001: Establishment Orders
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule change is to consolidate rules on establishment of Critical Wildlife Areas (CWAs) and provide the Executive Director, with the oversight of the Commission, limited authority to establish a CWA for a restricted period of time. The effect of the proposed rule change will be to consolidate and clarify rule language while improving management flexibility for more effective wildlife conservation.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule change would clarify that CWAs will not be established without approval of the property owner. The changes also provide authority for the Executive Director to establish a CWA for a restricted period of time, but only when an urgent need is demonstrated and only with prior concurrence of the chairman of the Commission. The word “wildlife” is added in reference to refuges for clarity and consistency with Rule 68A-18.004, F.A.C.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: The agency has determined that this rule will ____or will not __X__have an impact on small business. A SERC has ____ or has not _X_ been prepared by the agency.
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.
SPECIFIC 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 regular meeting of the Commission, February 17-18, 2010, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: Franklin County Courthouse, 33 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320
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: Tim Breault, Director, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

68A-14.001 Establishment Orders.

Whenever the Commission establishes an area to be a wildlife management area; a wildlife and environmental area; a wildlife refuge; a bird sanctuary; a restricted hunting area; a critical wildlife area; a fish management area; or a miscellaneous area, it shall do so by an establishment order.

(1) The establishment order shall recite, at least, the following:

(a) The legal description of the area to be established.

(b) Any terms and conditions under which the area is established.

(2) The establishment orders shall be kept by the Commission in its headquarters office and lists of all orders establishing an area as a wildlife management area; a wildlife and environmental area; a wildlife refuge; a bird sanctuary; a restricted hunting area; a critical wildlife area; a fish management area; a Commission managed shooting range or a miscellaneous area shall be kept by the Commission in its headquarters office and shall be available to the public for inspection.

(3) Public small-game hunting areas may be established within wildlife management areas, wildlife and environmental areas, fish management areas, and public use areas pursuant to Rule 68A-13.007, F.A.C. Regulations for each public small-game hunting area so established shall supersede regulations for the wildlife management area, wildlife and environmental area, fish management area or public use area within which it occurs.

(4) No critical wildlife area shall be established without the prior concurrence in such designation by the owner of the property wherein the area will be situated.

(5) A critical wildlife area may be established by order of the Executive Director, with prior concurrence of the Chairman of the Commission, when there is an imperative need that an important aggregation of fish or wildlife be protected as quickly as possible. Critical wildlife areas shall be established in this manner for a specified period of time that shall not exceed 180 days unless extended by approval of the Commission at a regularly scheduled public meeting.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: March 1, 2010.

Rulemaking Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 6-21-82, Formerly 39-14.01, Amended 10-28-97, 6-30-99, Formerly 39-14.001, Amended 12-20-99, 7-18-00, 5-1-03, 7-1-06, 7-1-08, 3-1-10.

 

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.W.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Tim Breault, Director, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, 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 9, 2009
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: December 11, 2009