The purpose of this rulemaking is for the Commission to consider the amendment of three rules within Chapter 68A-27, Rules Relating to Endangered or Threatened Species, to complete the listing process for the striped newt ....

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

68A-27.0021Designation of Candidate Species; Prohibitions; Permits

68A-27.003Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List; Prohibitions

68A-27.005Designation of Species of Special Concern; Prohibitions; Permits

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rulemaking is for the Commission to consider the amendment of three rules within Chapter 68A-27, Rules Relating to Endangered or Threatened Species, to complete the listing process for the striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus); to update the status of the Panama City crayfish (Procambarus econfinae); and to update the scientific names of four Federally-listed species. Rule 68A-27.0021 would be amended to remove the striped newt as a designated Candidate Species. An amendment to Rule 68A-27.003 would incorporate by reference and link to Commission-approved Guidelines for the striped newt and would add the striped newt as a State-designated Threatened Species. Rule 68A-27.003 would be amended to also add the Panama City crayfish as a Federally-designated Threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §1531 et seq. Based on that status change, the Commission will also edit Rule 68A-27.005, Designation of Species of Special Concern; Prohibitions; Permits. An amendment to Rule 68A-27.003 would update the scientific names of the shinyrayed pocketbook (Hamiota subangulata), Choctaw bean (Obovaria choctawensis), round ebonyshell (Reginaia rotulata), and eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi). The effect of these rule amendments will be to change the listing status of two species and update the scientific names of four species.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: State-designated Threatened Species; Take of State-Threatened species; striped newt; Designation of Candidate species; Federally-designated Threatened Species; Panama City crayfish; Species of Special Concern.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER.

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 DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Claire Sunquist Blunden, Section Leader, Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600.

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE FROM THE CONTACT PERSON LISTED ABOVE.