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 NO.:RULE TITLE:

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

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 two species (Nassau grouper and giant manta ray) to 68A-27.003(1).

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; 379.1025, Florida Statutes

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. Brad Gruver, Leader, Species Conservation Planning Section, 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 Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List; Prohibitions.

(1) Federally-designated Endangered and Threatened species:

(a) through (b) No change.

(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) (consistent with 70 Fed. Reg. 69464-69466),.

4. Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus)(T) (consistent with 81 Fed. Reg. 42268-42285),

5. Giant manta ray (Manta birostris)(T) (consistent with 83 Fed. Reg. 2916-2931).

(d) through (k) No change.

(2) No change.

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, 6-10-15, 1-11-17, 6-2-17,_________.