The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations to expand small game hunting opportunities on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest Region. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:

68A-15.063: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to revise specific area regulations to expand small game hunting opportunities on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest Region. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on WMAs.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would revise specific area regulations to expand small game hunting opportunities on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest Region as follows:

Apalachee WMA – expand quail season by 8 days.

Aucilla WMA – expand small game season by 19 days in the Pinhook Still Hunt Area; and, allow northern bobwhite to be released and taken by shotgun during the small game season. A daily no-cost permit and proof that northern bobwhite were purchased from a licensed game farm would be required for each individual or group participating. Allow release of northern bobwhite only on FWC-lead managed portions of the area.

Escribano Point WMA – expand small game season by 89 days.

Additionally, the proposed rule amendment would provide non-substantive technical changes, such as grammatical corrections, language standardization, or clarification of an existing rule.

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: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; Sections 379.2223, 375.313, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; Sections 379.2223, 375.313, FS.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATES AND TIMES: During the Commission’s regular meeting July 10-11, 2017, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: Orange County Convention Center, West Building - Room WF3, 9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819.

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 IS: Diane R. Eggeman, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

68A-15.063 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – Northwest Region.

(1) Apalachee Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. through 7. No change. 

8. Quail (Zone A) – December 19 through February 11 January 28 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays closed to hunting).

9. through 10. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

(2) through (12) No change.

(13) Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. No change.

2. Small game – November 27 through December 15 (Pinhook still hunt area only), and January 1 through March 4.

3. through 14. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 12. No change.

13. Northern bobwhite may be released and taken by shotgun during the small game season provided each individual or group participating possesses a daily permit and proof (including the name and address of the vendor and date of purchase) that the northern bobwhite were purchased from a licensed game farm within the past 90 days. The release of northern bobwhite is allowed only on FWC-lead managed portions of the area.

(14) through (28) No change.

(29) Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area

(a) Open season:

1. through 4. No change.

5. Small game – November 11-22, November 27 through December 1, December 5 through January 19, and January 29 through March 4 19.

6. No change.

(b) through (d) No change.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2017.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 379.2223, 375.313 FS. History–New 6-21-82, Amended 7-1-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 5-10-87, 6-8-87, 5-1-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 9-1-91, 7-1-92, 7-2-92, 7-1-93, 3-1-94, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 7-2-95, 8-15-95, 7-1-96, 7-2-96, 6-1-97, 12-3-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 8-11-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.063, Amended 11-17-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 7-22-01, 6-2-02, 5-1-03, 7-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-2-04, 8-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 7-1-10, 7-1-11, 11-14-11, 7-1-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14, 7-2-14, 11-2-14, 7-1-15, 7-29-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 9-1-17.

 

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED.  IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.R.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Diane R. Eggeman, Director, Division of Hunting and Game Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 19, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 8, 2016