Historically, the St Johns River at Astor flood zone has had a flood stage restriction height at 2.8 feet. Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) changed the flood stage from 2.8 feet to 2.3 feet. This rule is being ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Vessel Registration and Boating Safety

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68D-24.018St. Johns River Boating Restricted Areas

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Historically, the St Johns River at Astor flood zone has had a flood stage restriction height at 2.8 feet. Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) changed the flood stage from 2.8 feet to 2.3 feet. This rule is being amended to reflect this change.

SUMMARY: Historically, the St Johns River at Astor flood zone has had a flood stage restriction height at 2.8 feet. Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) changed the flood stage from 2.8 feet to 2.3 feet. This rule is being amended to reflect this change.

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, FS; 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: Kate Gorman, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68D-24.018 St. Johns River Boating Restricted Areas.

(1) For the purpose of regulating the speed and operation of vessel traffic on the St. Johns River in Lake, Seminole and Volusia Counties, Florida the following boating restricted areas are established. Coordinates used in the description of zone boundaries are referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). The boating restricted areas exclude all associated tributaries, creeks, canals, backwaters, channels, boat basins and other waterways unless otherwise designated or specifically described for inclusion:

(a) No change.

(b) Flood Zones.

1. Astor: During flooding, an Idle Speed No Wake zone from shoreline to shoreline in the St. Johns River, bounded on the northwest by a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the St. Johns River 50 feet north of the confluence of South Moon Canal and the St. Johns River and bounded on the south by a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the St. Johns River 2,125 feet south of the south end of the fender of the SR 40 (Astor) Bridge, as depicted in Drawing J, when the St. Johns River water level is 2.3 2.8 feet or higher as indicated by the St. Johns River Water Management District gauge at the SR 40 (Astor) Bridge.

2. through 4. No change.

(c) No change.

(2) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 327.04, 327.46 FS. Law Implemented 327.33(3), 327.46 FS. History–New 6-3-92, Formerly 16N-24.018, Amended 10-3-95, 11-21-96, 2-4-98, Formerly 62N-24.018, Amended 4-22-13, 4-23-14, ______.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Kate Gorman, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 11, 2019

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: September 18, 2019