The purpose of this rule amendment is to establish the Sport Fish Restoration-R3 Fishing Grant Program under rule 68-1.003, Florida Administrative Code. The effect of this amendment will be to allow stakeholders the ability to partner with the ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68-1.003Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Grants Program

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule amendment is to establish the Sport Fish Restoration-R3 Fishing Grant Program under rule 68-1.003, Florida Administrative Code.

The effect of this amendment will be to allow stakeholders the ability to partner with the FWC on facilitating R3 programs, expanding R3 reach, and increasing the participation rate of underrepresented fishing groups in the angling community.

SUMMARY: The FWC is striving to increase participation in freshwater and saltwater fishing through an effort known as R3, or, Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation. Recruitment of new anglers, retention of active anglers, and reactivation of lapsed anglers are important to the future of conservation funding. R3 programs are focused on increasing and diversifying the fishing participation rate of different age percentiles and demographics over the next 10-15 years. This rule amendment would provide FWC with the ability to offer grant opportunities to partners that are helping to achieve participation goals, assisting with fisheries research, and evaluating effectiveness of programs.

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.

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: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: During the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting on July 17-18, 2019, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day

PLACE: Marriot Resort Hutchinson Island, 555 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, Florida 34996

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Jon Fury, Director, Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, and [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68-1.003 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Grants Program.

(1) through (13) No change.

(14) Sport Fish Restoration-R3 Fishing Grant Program grants shall meet all requirements set forth in the Commission’s R3 Fishing Grant Program Guidelines (dated July 2019), which are hereby incorporated by reference and available at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-XXXXX. The form FWC: R3-F072019 (dated July 2019), entitled “Florida’s R3 Fishing Grant Program Application,” is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and available at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-XXXXX. The guidelines and form are also available from the Commission at 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, and on the Commission’s website at https://myfwc.com/fishing/.

Rulemaking Authority 206.606, 327.04, 327.47, 376.15(d), 379.106 FS. Law Implemented 206.606, 327.47, 328.72, 376.15(d), (e), 379.106 FS. History–New 4-4-04, Amended 3-15-05, Formerly 68A-2.015, Amended 5-22-07, 7-6-08, 1-18-09, 3-21-10, 6-30-10, 5-20-12, 2-9-15, 9-11-16, 9-13-16, 4-23-17, 5-24-18, 2-21-19, 4-18-19, 7-1-19.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jon Fury, Director, Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, and [phone]

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 1, 2019

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: February 22, 2019