The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South Region and conform date changes to calendar year. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-15.064Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - South Region

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South Region and conform date changes to calendar year. The effect of the proposed rule 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 adjust season dates to conform to the calendar year and revise specific area regulations on WMAs in the South Region.

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 7-8, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Florida Public Safety Institute, 85 Academy Drive, Havana, Florida 32333.

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: 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: Diane R. Eggeman, 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-15.064 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – South Region.

(1) No change.

(2) Holey Land Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – Walk, September 29 30 through October 14 15.

2. General gun – Vehicle, October 20 21 through November 4 5 (tracked vehicles).

3. Archery – August 4-26 5-27.

4. Muzzleloading gun – September 1-9 2-10.

5. Small game – November 5 6 through March 3 4.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 12. No change.

13. All boat ramps, parking areas, roads, camping areas, levees, and adjacent powerline pads are closed to hunting The take of wildlife with a gun on or upon the L-5 or Miami Canal Levees is prohibited.

14. No change.

15. Non-native reptiles Conditional non-native snakes and lizards as listed in subsection 68A-5.002(4), F.A.C., may be taken year round after the last day of small game season through the second Sunday in April and during established seasons for the taking of game animals or alligators and only by persons properly licensed and permitted to take game animals or alligators.

16. Guns are a prohibited method of take for non-native reptiles Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, except when the use of guns to take game or alligators is authorized and after the last day of small game season through the second Sunday in April when all legal methods of take for game animals or alligators are allowed, except the use of centerfire rifles is prohibited.

17. Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, as listed in subsection 68 5.002(4), F.A.C., shall not be removed from the area alive.

18. Persons that take any Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall report the take within 36 hours, and shall provide all data requested.

18.19. The day after small game season ends through the second Sunday in April shooting hours for non-native reptiles Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall be 1/2 hour before sunrise and until 1/2 hour after sunset.

20. renumbered 19. No change.

(e) No change.

(3) Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – Walk, September 29 30 through October 14 15, Conservation Areas 3A North and 2A (north of the East/West Airboat Trail) only.

2. General gun – Vehicle (airboats and tracked vehicles only), October 20 21 through November 4 5, in Conservation Areas 3A North, 3A South, 2, and the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.

3. Archery – August 4-26 5-27, Conservation Area 3A North only.

4. Muzzleloading gun – September 1-9 2-10, in Conservation Area 3A North only.

5. Small game – November 5 through 6 though March 3 4.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 17. No change.

18. All boat ramps, parking areas, roads, camping areas, levees, and adjacent powerline pads are closed to hunting The take of wildlife with a gun on or upon the L-4 or L-5 Levees is prohibited.

19. through 21. No change

22. Non-native reptiles Conditional non-native snakes and lizards as listed in subsection 68A-5.002(4), F.A.C., may be taken year round after the last day of small game season through the second Sunday in April and during established seasons for the taking of game animals or alligators and only by persons properly licensed and permitted to take game animals or alligators.

23. Guns are a prohibited method of take for non-native reptiles Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, except when the use of guns to take game or alligators is authorized and after the last day of small game season through the second Sunday in April when all legal methods of take for game animals or alligators are allowed, except the use of centerfire rifles is prohibited.

24. Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, as listed in subsection 68 5.002(4), F.A.C., shall not be removed from the area alive.

25. Persons that take any Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall report the take within 36 hours, and shall provide all data requested.

25.26. The day after small game season ends through the second Sunday in April shooting hours for non-native reptiles and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall be 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.

27. renumbered 26. No change.

(e) No change.

(4) Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – Walk, September 29 30 through October 14 15.

2. General gun – Vehicle (tracked vehicles only), October 20 21 through November 4 5 (tracked vehicles).

3. Archery – August 4-26 5-27.

4. Muzzleloading gun – September 1-9 2-10.

5. Small game – November 5 6 through March 3 4.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 12. No change.

13. All boat ramps, parking areas, roads, camping areas, levees, and adjacent powerline pads are closed to hunting The take of wildlife with a gun on or upon the L-4, Powerline, Manley Ditch or Miami Canal Levees is prohibited.

14. No change.

15. Non-native reptiles Conditional non-native snakes and lizards as listed in subsection 68A-5.002(4), F.A.C., may be taken year round after the last day of small game season through the second Sunday in April and during established seasons for the taking of game animals or alligators and only by persons properly licensed and permitted to take game animals or alligators.

16. Guns are a prohibited method of take for non-native reptiles Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, except when the use of guns to take game or alligators is authorized and after the last day of small game season through the second Sunday in April when all legal methods of take for game animals or alligators are allowed, except the use of centerfire rifles is prohibited.

17. Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, as listed in subsection 68 5.002(4), F.A.C., shall not be removed from the area alive.

18. Persons that take any Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall report the take within 36 hours, and shall provide all data requested.

18.19. The day after small game season ends through the second Sunday in April shooting hours for non-native reptiles Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall be 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hours after sunset.

20. renumbered 19. No change.

(e) No change.

(5) Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 3. No change.

4. Muzzleloading gun – October 6-21 7-22, except in the Deep Lake Unit.

5. Spring turkey – March 2 3 through April 7 8.

6. through 7. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(6) Okaloacoochee Slough Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – August 4-10 5-11 and 11-19 12-20.

2. Muzzleloading gun – September 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.

3. Family Hunt – September 15-16 16-17.

4. General gun – September 22-25 23-26 and September 26-30 27 through October 1.

5. Small game – November 10 11 through January 13 December 24.

6. Spring turkey – March 2-5 3-6 and 6-10 7-11.

7. Migratory game birds Duck, geese and coot – During the seasons established by Rule 68A-13.003 and 68A-13.008, F.A.C.

8. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(7) Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – August 17-19 18-20 and 24-26 25-27 west of US Highway 27 only.

2. Muzzleloading gun – September 7-9 8-10 and 14-16 15-17 west of US Highway 27 only.

3. General gun – September 28-30 29 through October 1 and October 12-14 13-15 west of US Highway 27 only.

4. Youth Turkey Hunt – February 23-24 24-25 west of US Highway 27 only.

5. Spring turkey – March 2-5 3-6, 8-11 9-12, 15-18 16-19, 22-25 23-26 and March 29 30 through April 1 2 west of US Highway 27 only.

6. Special-opportunity spring turkey – March 2-8 3-9 and 16-22 17-23 east of US Highway 27 only.

7. Wild hog-still– November 17-18 18-19 west of US Highway 27 only.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(8) Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – August 4-19 5-20.

2. Muzzleloading gun – September 1-3 2-4 and 8-10 9-11.

3. General gun – October 6-9 7-10, 10-14 11-15 and 15-21 16-22.

4. Small game – November 3 4 through January 13 December 24.

5. Youth turkey hunt – February 23-24.

6.5. Spring turkey – March 2-5 3-6 and 6-10 7-11.

6. through 7. renumbered 7. through 8. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Camping: Prohibited, except as authorized Camping is allowed by Special-Use Permit issued by the Florida Forest Service. Only tents, trailers, or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Only licensed and registered vehicles may be operated on the area, and only on designated roads, parking areas, and other areas as designated by the Florida Forest Service Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and trails.

4. No change.

5. Non-native reptiles Conditional non-native snakes and lizards as listed in subsection 68-5.002(4), F.A.C., may be taken year round during established seasons for the taking of game animals or alligators and only by persons properly licensed and permitted to take game animals or alligators.

6. Guns are a prohibited method of take for non-native reptiles Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, except when the use of guns to take game or alligators is authorized.

7. Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, as listed in subsection 68 5.002(4), F.A.C., shall not be removed from the area alive.

8. Persons that take any Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall report the take within 36 hours, and shall provide all data requested.

(9) Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – August 3-6 4-7, 10-13 11-14, 17-20 18-21 and 24-27 25-28.

2. Muzzleloading gun – September 7-9 8-10.

3. General gun – September 15-17 16-18, 21-23 22-24 and 28-30 September  29 through October 1.

4. No change.

5. Family hunt – October 6-7 7-8 and 13-14 14-15.

6. Youth Turkey Hunt – February 23-24 24-25.

7. Spring turkey – March 2-4 3-5, 9-11 10-12 and March 30 31 through April 1 2.

8. through 10. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 10. No change.

11. Persons shall enter and exit the area only at the designated entrance.

(10) Spirit-of-the-Wild Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – August 3-6 4-7, 10-13 11-14, 17-20 18-21 and 24-27 August 25-28.

2. Muzzleloading gun – September 7-9 8-10.

3. General gun – September 15-17 16-18, 21-23 22-24, and 28-30 September  29 through October 1.

4. No change.

5. Youth Turkey Hunt – February 23-24 24-25.

6. Spring turkey – March 2-4 3-5, 9-11 10-12 and March 30 31 through April 1 2.

7. through 9. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(11) Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. Archery – September 8-11 9-12, 15-18 16-19, 22-25 September 23-26 and September 29 30 through October 2 3.

2. Muzzleloading gun – October 13-15 14-16.

3. Family hunt – October 27-30 28-31.

4. General gun –November 3-7 4-8.

5. Small game – November 10 11 through the second Sunday in January.

6. Spring turkey – March 2-5 3-6 and 6-10 7-11.

7. through 8. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. History–New 6-21-82, Amended 7-1-83, 7-27-83, 9-27-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 8-5-86, 5-10-87, 8-24-87, 5-1-88, 6-7-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-1-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 8-15-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 10-20-96, 6-1-97, 8-7-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.064, Amended 11-17-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 6-2-02, 2-27-03, 5-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 1-19-10, 7-1-10, 8-26-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14, 9-18-14, 7-1-15, 7-29-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 9-14-17,          .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Diane R. Eggeman, 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 6, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 5, 2018