The purpose of the proposed rule is to create standards to guide Commission rulemaking relating to fishing and hunting. The effect of the new rule is to inform the public as to the principles behind the Commission’s rules to safeguard Florida’s fish ...

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Departmental

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68-1.004: Standards
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule is to create standards to guide Commission rulemaking relating to fishing and hunting. The effect of the new rule is to inform the public as to the principles behind the Commission’s rules to safeguard Florida’s fish and wildlife resources.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The subject to be addressed is standards guiding the Commission’s rulemaking relating to fishing and hunting.
SPECIFIC 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 WEEKLY.
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 by calling [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: James V. Antista, General Counsel, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, [phone].

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

68-1.004 Standards.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission adopts the following standards to guide rulemaking relating to hunting and fishing:

(1) The paramount objective of rulemaking relating to hunting and fishing shall be the management of the fish and wildlife resources of this state for their long-term well-being and for the benefit of all the people.

(2) Rulemaking shall be based upon the best information available, including biological, sociological, economic, cultural, historical and other information deemed relevant by the Commission.

(3) The biological basis for rulemaking should include but not be limited to stock assessments, biological surveys, management plans, or other science-based studies or information.

(4) With respect to harvested populations, rulemaking should permit reasonable means and quantities of harvest, consistent with optimum sustainable populations.  Optimum sustainable populations shall mean the highest degree of population productivity within available habitat to sustain fish and wildlife for the long term use or enjoyment of all the people.

(5) When possible and practicable, populations will be managed as a biological unit.  A biological unit shall mean a species or subspecies of fish or wildlife within their dependent habitat or ecosystem.

(6) Conservation and management decisions shall be derived through processes which are fair and accessible to all the people of the state and which are consistent with the procedures in Rule 68-1.001, F.A.C.

(7) When applicable, federal fish and wildlife management plans and management plans of other states or interstate commissions should be considered when developing state hunting and fishing rules.

(8) This rule shall apply to rules and rule amendments relating to hunting and fishing proposed after July 1, 2006.

Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.  Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New________.