The purpose and effect of this rule amendment is to revise the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List to reflect Federal listing changes. Rule 68A-27.0012(1) of the Florida Administrative Code requires that when species native to Florida ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

68A-27.003Designation of Endangered and Threatened Species; Prohibitions

68A-27.0031Marine Endangered and Threatened Species

PURPOSE, EFFECT AND SUMMARY: The purpose and effect of this rule amendment is to revise the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List to reflect Federal listing changes. Rule 68A-27.0012(1) of the Florida Administrative Code requires that when species native to Florida are added or reclassified under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), the species shall be so listed or reclassified in the Florida Administrative Code to reflect the federal designation. Because of recent federal designations, staff is proposing to add seven species of mollusks (Choctaw bean, round ebonyshell, southern kidneyshell, fuzzy pigtoe, narrow pigtoe, tapered pigtoe and southern sandshell); one mammal (Florida bonneted bat); one bird (rufa red knot); two insects (Bartram’s scrub-hairstreak, Florida leafwing butterflies); four corals (lobed star, bounder star, mountainous star and rough cactus) to paragraph one of Rule 68A-27.003; F.A.C., change the indicated federal listing for one bird (wood stork) from endangered to threatened; and move one species of coral (pillar coral) from subsection two to subsection one. Staff also proposes to move into Rule 68A-27.003(1) and delete from Rule 68A-27.0031, F.A.C., one fish species (smalltoothed sawfish) and two coral species (elkhorn and staghorn) that were mistakenly added to the latter rule when it was created.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; 379.2291, Florida Statutes

THIS RULEMAKING IS UNDERTAKEN PURSUANT TO SECTION

120.54(6), F.S. WRITTEN COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE TO: Dr. Thomas Eason, Director, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.

SUBSTANTIALLY AFFECTED PERSONS MAY WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, FILE AN OBJECTION TO THIS RULEMAKING WITH THE AGENCY. THE OBJECTION SHALL SPECIFY THE PORTIONS OF THE PROPOSED RULE TO WHICH THE PERSON OBJECTS AND THE SPECIFIC REASONS FOR THE OBJECTION.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

68A-27.003 Designation of Endangered and Threatened Species; Prohibitions.

(1) Federally-designated Endangered and Threatened species:

(a) No person shall take, possess, or sell any of the endangered or threatened species included in this subsection, or parts thereof or their nests or eggs except as allowed by specific federal or state permit or authorization.

(b) The following Federally-designated Endangered and Threatened species shall be afforded the protection afforded under Commission rules and Florida Statutes and under the Federal Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq. and its implementing regulations. Species classified as endangered are identified below by (E) and threatened as (T).

(c) Fish:

1. Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus)(E); South Atlantic distinct population segment (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 5914-5982),

2. Okaloosa darter (Etheostoma okaloosae)(T) (consistent with 76 Fed. Reg. 18087-18103),

3. Smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata)(E).

(d) Amphibians:

1. Frosted flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum)(T),

2. Reticulated flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma bishopi)(E).

(e) Reptiles:

1. American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)(T[S/A]); Listed only because of similarity of appearance to the American crocodile,

2. American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)(T),

3. Atlantic salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkii taeniata)(T),

4. Bluetail mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus)(T),

5. Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi)(T),

6. Sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi)(T).

(f) Birds:

1. Audubon’s crested caracara (Polyborus plancus audubonii (T),

2. Bachman’s wood warbler (Vermivora bachmanii)(E),

3. Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis)(E),

4. Everglade snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)(E),

5. Eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis)(E),

6. Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus)(E),

7. Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)(T),

8. Ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis)(E),

9. Kirtland’s wood warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii)(E),

10. Piping plover (Charadrius melodus)(T),

11. Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis)(E),

12. Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)(T),

13. Whooping crane (Grus americana)(XN); Listed as experimental population in Florida,

14. Wood stork (Mycteria americana)(ET).,

15. Rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa)(T) (consistent with 79 Fed Reg. 73706-73748).

(g) Mammals:

1. Anastasia Island beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus phasma)(E),

2. Choctawhatchee beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus allophrys)(E),

3. Florida panther (Puma (=Felis) concolor coryi)(E),

4. Florida salt marsh vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli)(E),

5. Gray bat (Myotis grisescens)(E),

6. Gray wolf (Canis lupus)(E),

7. Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)(E),

8. Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium)(E). No person shall feed Key deer by hand or by placing any food that serves to attract such species,

9. Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola)(E),

10. Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli)(E),

11. Lower Keys rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri)(E),

12. Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis)(E),

13. Red wolf (Canis rufus)(E),

14. Rice rat (Oryzomys palustris natator (E); Lower Keys population west of 7-mile bridge,

15. Southeastern beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris)(T),

16. St. Andrew beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis)(E).

17. Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus)(E) (consistent with 78 Fed. Reg. 61004-61043).

(h) Crustaceans:

Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp (Palaemonetes cummingi)(T).

(i) Insects:

1. American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)(E),

2. Cassius blue butterfly (Leptotes cassius theonus)(T[S/A]), ceraunus blue butterfly (Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus) (T[S/A]), and nickerbean blue butterfly (Cyclargus ammon)(T[S/A]) are listed due to similarity of appearance to Miami blue butterfly (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 20948-20986) and as such only the following prohibitions apply to these three species:

a. Incidental take, that is, take that results from, but is not a purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity will not apply to cassius blue butterfly, ceraunus blue butterfly, and nickerbean blue butterfly.

b. Collection of the cassius blue butterfly, ceraunus blue butterfly, and nickerbean blue butterfly is prohibited in coastal counties south of Interstate 4 and extending to the boundaries of the State of Florida at the endpoints of Interstate 4 at Tampa and Daytona Beach. Specifically, such activities are prohibited in the following counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, De Soto, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, St. Lucie, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, and Volusia.

3. Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri)(E) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 20948-20986),

4. Schaus swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus)(E).

5. Bartram’s scrub-hairstreak (Strymon acis bartrami)(E) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 47222-47244),

6. Florida leafwing (Anaea troglodyte floridalis)(E) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 47222-47244).

(j) Mollusks:

1. Chipola slabshell (mussel) (Elliptio chiplolaensis)(T),

2. Fat threeridge (mussel) (Amblema neislerii)(E),

3. Gulf moccasinshell (mussel) (Medionidus penicillatus)(E),

4. Ochlockonee moccasinshell (mussel) (Medionidus simpsonianus)(E),

5. Oval pigtoe (mussel) (Pleurobema pyriforme)(E),

6. Purple bankclimber (mussel) (Elliptoideus sloatianus)(T),

7. Shinyrayed pocketbook (mussel) (Lampsilis subangulata)(E),

8. Stock Island tree snail (Orthalicus reses [not incl. nesodryas])(T).

9. Choctaw bean (Villosa choctawensis)(E) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

10. Round ebonyshell (Fusconaia rotulata)(E) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

11. Southern kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus jonesi)(E) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

12. Fuzzy pigtoe (Pleurobema strodeanum)(T) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

13. Narrow pigtoe (Fusconaia escambia)(T) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

14. Tapered pigtoe (Fusconaia burki)(T) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

15. Southern sandshell (Hamiota australis)(T) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719).

(k) Corals:

1. Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)(T),

2. Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis)(T).

3. Pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindricus)(T) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 53852-54123),

4. Lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) (T) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 53852-54123),

5. Moutainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata) (T) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 53852-54123),

6. Boulder star coral (Orbicella franksi) (T) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 53852-54123),

7. Rough cactus coral (Mycetophyllia ferox) (T) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 53852-54123).

(2) State-designated Threatened species:

(a) No person shall take, possess, or sell any threatened species included in this subsection or parts thereof or their nests or eggs except as authorized by Commission rule or by permit from the Commission.

(b) The species in this subsection are hereby declared to be State-designated Threatened Species, and shall be afforded the protective provisions specified.

(c) Fish:

1. Blackmouth shiner (Notropis melanostomus),

2. Crystal darter (Crystallaria asprella),

3. Key silverside (Menidia conchorum).

(d) Reptiles:

1. Florida brownsnake (Storeria victa); lower Keys population only,

2. Peninsula ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus sackenii); lower Keys population only,

3. Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). The Gopher tortoise shall be afforded the protective provisions specified in this subparagraph. No person shall take, attempt to take, pursue, hunt, harass, capture, possess, sell or transport any gopher tortoise or parts thereof or their eggs, or molest, damage, or destroy gopher tortoise burrows, except as authorized by Commission permit or when complying with Commission approved guidelines for specific actions which may impact gopher tortoises and their burrows. A gopher tortoise burrow is a tunnel with a cross-section that closely approximates the shape of a gopher tortoise. Permits will be issued based upon whether issuance would further management plan goals and objectives.

4. Key ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus acricus),

5. Rim rock crowned snake (Tantilla oolitica),

6. Short-tailed snake (Stilosoma extenuatum),

7. Striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii); lower Keys population only.

(e) Birds:

1. Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis),

2. Least tern (Sterna antillarum),

3. Snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus),

4. Southeastern American kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus),

5. White-crowned pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala).

(f) Mammals:

1. Big Cypress fox squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia),

2. Everglades mink (Neovison vison evergladensis),

3. Florida mastiff bat (Eumops glaucinus floridanus).

(g) Corals:

Pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindricus)

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 6-22-80, 7-1-83, 7-1-84, 7-1-85, Formerly 39-27.03, Amended 6-1-86, 5-10-87, 4-27-89, 9-14-93, 6-23-99, Formerly 39-27.003. Amended 12-16-03, 7-20-09, 11-8-10, 11-14-11, 8-23-12, 9-19-12,                      .

 

68A-27.0031 Marine Endangered and Threatened Species.

(1) Under the Florida constitutional revision that revised Article IV, Section 9 of the Florida Constitution and created Article XII, Section 22, the Commission’s constitutional authority does not include authority to regulate marine life when those species meet the definition of endangered and threatened species as those terms were defined in Section 372.072, F.S. (1997).

(2) The following species are Marine endangered and threatened species:

(a) Fish:

1. Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus [=oxyrhynchus] desotoi)(T),

2. Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)(E),.

3. Smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata)(E).

(b) Reptiles:

1. Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)(E),

2. Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)(E),

3. Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)(E),

4. Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)(E),

5. Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)(T),

(c) Mammals:

1. Caribbean monk seal (Monachus tropicalis)(E),

2. Finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus)(E),

3. West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus)(E),

4. Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)(E),

5. North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)(E),

6. Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis)(E),

7. Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)(E),

(d) Corals:

1. Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)(T),

2. Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis)(T).

Rulemaking Authority 379.1025 FS. Law Implemented 379.2291 FS. History–New 11-14-11,                      .