In order to protect the public, this rule amendment would establish an idle speed no wake boating-restricted area from shoreline to shoreline in the St. Johns River extending approximately 1.25 miles north of the I-4 bridge in Sanford, Florida. This ...

 

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: In order to protect the public, this rule amendment would establish an idle speed no wake boating-restricted area from shoreline to shoreline in the St. Johns River extending approximately 1.25 miles north of the I-4 bridge in Sanford, Florida. This boating-restricted area would become effective only when the river is at flood stage. The proposed boating restricted area would have a flood stage restriction height of 5.5 feet as reported by the National Weather Service gauge at Lake Monroe. A slow speed minimum wake zone already exists on the St. Johns River that extends to this portion of the river; however, Seminole County and local Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission law enforcement have additional concerns for public safety during flooding in this area.

SUMMARY: This rule amendment will establish an idle speed no wake boating-restricted area from shoreline to shoreline in the St. Johns River extending approximately 1.25 miles north of the I-4 bridge in Sanford, Florida. This boating-restricted area would become effective only when the river is at flood stage. The proposed boating restricted area would have a flood stage restriction height of 5.5 feet as reported by the National Weather Service gauge at Lake Monroe.

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, 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: Lamont Nelson, Division of Law Enforcement, Boating and Waterways Section, 620 South Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, [phone], [e-mail].

 

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. through 4. No change.

5. Lake Monroe: During flooding, an Idle Speed No Wake zone from shoreline to shoreline in the St. Johns River, bounded on the southeast by the northwesterly side of the  I-4 bridge in Sanford, Florida, and bounded on the northwest by a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the St. Johns River at approximate latitude 28° 50.61660’ North, and approximate longitude 81° 20.23200’ West, including all canals associated with St. Johns River Estates, Boat Tree Marina, the intake and discharge canals at the Sanford Power Plant, and the water basin on the north side of the River between US Highway 17/92 and I-4, as depicted in Drawing N, when the St. Johns River water level is 5.5 feet or higher as indicated by the National Weather Service gauge at the Lake Monroe Station.

(2) The boating restricted areas described in Rule 68D-24.018, F.A.C., are depicted on the following drawings:

Drawings A through M  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, 2-10-20, 4-20-20, ____________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Lamont Nelson, Division of Law Enforcement, Boating and Waterways Section, 620 South Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, [phone], [e-mail]

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 14, 2020

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: April 21, 2020