Amendments to the rules are being proposed to correct inaccuracies and/or update the language pertaining to flood stage measurements for the Suwanee and Santa Fe River Boating Restricted Areas. The proposed amendments will ....

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Vessel Registration and Boating Safety

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68D-24.020Suwannee and Santa Fe River Boating Restricted Areas

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Amendments to the rules are being proposed to correct inaccuracies and/or update the language pertaining to flood stage measurements for the Suwanee and Santa Fe River Boating Restricted Areas. The proposed amendments will modify the flood stage level at all existing flood zone locations on the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers to correspond with the action stage threshold established by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This will clarify for boaters when the designated boating restricted areas are activated by flooding water levels.

SUMMARY: Flood measurement language for the established boating restricted area located in portions of the Suwanee and Santa Fe River is being updated to correspond with NOAA’s action stage threshold.

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: 327.04, 327.46 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 327.46 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Major William Holcomb, Boating and Waterways Section, Division of Law Enforcement, 620 South Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, [phone] or email: [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68D-24.020 Suwannee and Santa Fe River Boating Restricted Areas.

(1) For the purpose of regulating the speed and operation of vessel traffic during flood events, the Suwannee and Santa Fe River Boating Restricted Areas are established, which shall include all associated and navigable tributaries, creeks, coves, bends, and backwaters unless otherwise designated or excluded.

Suwannee River Idle Speed No Wake Zones‒

(a) Zone 1: All waters in and adjacent to the river from the centerline of the U.S. 90 Bridge at Ellaville south to the centerline of the S.R. 51 Bridge at Luraville, as depicted in Drawing A. Idle Speed No Wake in effect and enforceable when the river water height is in the action stage 47' or higher when measured at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) (NGVD 29) or 46.25' or higher (NAVD 88) as indicated by the Ellaville gauge (USGS 02319500), as determined by the action stage established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) depicted in Drawing A.

(b) Zone 2: All waters in and adjacent to the river from the centerline of the S.R. 51 Bridge at Luraville to a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the river at Little River Spring, as depicted in Drawing B. Idle Speed No Wake in effect and enforceable when the river water height is in the action stage is 26' or higher when measured at the USGS (NGVD 29) or 25.25' or higher (NAVD 88) as indicated by the Branford gauge (USGS 02320500), as determined by the action stage established by NOAA depicted in Drawing B.

(c) Zone 3: All waters in and adjacent to the river from a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the river at Little River Spring to the centerline of the C.R. 340 Bridge at Rock Bluff, as depicted in Drawing C. Idle Speed No Wake in effect and enforceable when the river water height is in the action stage the river is 24' or higher when measured at the USGS (NGVD 29) or 23.25' or higher (NAVD 88) as indicated by the Branford gauge (USGS 02320500), as determined by the action stage established by NOAA depicted in Drawing C.

(d) Zone 4: All waters in and adjacent to the river from the centerline of the C.R. 340 Bridge at Rock Bluff to a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the river approximately 300' southwest of the New Clay Landing Boat Ramp, from a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the river approximately 6,000' north of the Camp Azalea Boat Ramp to a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the river approximately 1,300' south of the Yellow Jacket Landing, and from a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the river approximately 2,000' northeast of the Fowler’s Bluff Boat Ramp, to a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the river approximately one mile southwest of the Fowler’s Bluff Boat Ramp, as depicted in Drawing D. Idle Speed No Wake in effect and enforceable when the river water height is in the action stage 9' or higher when measured at the USGS (NGVD 29) or 8.35' or higher (NAVD 88) as indicated by the Wilcox gauge (USGS 02323500), as determined by the action stage established by NOAA depicted in Drawing D.

Santa Fe River Idle Speed No Wake Zones –

(e) Zone 5: All waters in and adjacent to the river from the River Rise in O’Leno State Park downstream to the centerline of the US 27 Bridge, as depicted in Drawing E. Idle Speed No Wake in effect and enforceable when the river water height is in the action stage 35' or higher when measured at the USGS (NGVD 29) or 34.20' or higher (NAVD 88) as indicated by the High Springs gauge (USGS 02321975), as determined by the action stage established by NOAA depicted in Drawing E.

(f) Zone 6: All waters from the centerline of the US 27 Bridge downstream to a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the river, shoreline to shoreline, one-half mile upstream from the S.R. 47 Bridge, as depicted in Drawing F. Idle Speed No Wake in effect and enforceable when the river water height is in the action stage 24' or higher when measured at the USGS (NGVD 29) or 23.25' or higher (NAVD 88) as indicated by the Fort White gauge (USGS 02322500), as determined by the action stage established by NOAA depicted in Drawing F.

(g) Zone 7: All waters in and adjacent to the river from a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the river, shoreline to shoreline, one-half mile upstream from the S.R. 47 Bridge, downstream to a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the river, shoreline to shoreline, from the westernmost point of the unnamed island located at 29° 54.527' N, 82° 46.074' W, as depicted in Drawing G. Idle Speed No Wake in effect and enforceable when the river water height is in the action stage 19.5' or higher when measured at the USGS (NGVD 29) or 18.75' or higher (NAVD 88) as indicated by the Three Rivers Estates gauge (USGS 02322703), as determined by the action stage established by NOAA depicted in Drawing G.

(h) Zone 8: All waters in and adjacent to the river from a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the river, shoreline to shoreline, from the westernmost point of the unnamed island located at 29° 54.527' N, 82° 46.074' W downstream to the confluence of the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers, to include the Ichetucknee River upstream to the US 27 Bridge, as depicted in Drawing H. Idle Speed No Wake in effect and enforceable when the river water height is in the action stage 17' or higher (NGVD 29) or 16.25' or higher (NAVD 88) when measured at the USGS as indicated by the Three Rivers Estates gauge (USGS 02322703), as determined by the action stage established by NOAA depicted in Drawing H.

(2) When in Effect – The boating restricted areas established in subsection (1) shall be active and enforceable only when the water levels reach the action stage or higher as established by NOAA are as specified in each paragraph. For purposes of this rule, all referenced river levels are provided in both the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) and the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29). Suwanee and Santa Fe River water levels are recorded by NOAA and can be viewed on the NOAA website.

(3) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 327.04, 327.46 FS. Law Implemented 327.46 FS. History–New 5-3-94, Formerly 16N-24.020, 62N-24.020, Amended 3-16-06, 11-4-15, Amended ______.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Major William Holcomb

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: September 18, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: September 18, 2024