The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to provide specific regulations and hunting seasons for the Addition Unit within the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-15.064Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – South Region

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to provide specific regulations and hunting seasons for the Addition Unit within the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area. The effect of the proposed rule amendment will be to enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources and public use on Big Cypress WMA.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment would establish the same general gun season dates within the Addition Unit as in the Bear Island Unit, except the Addition Unit from the Special September Duck season, prohibit the take of wildlife on or from the L-28 Interceptor Canal levees, and allow operation of licensed and registered vehicles on designated portions of the L-28 Interceptor Canal levees north of I-75.

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.

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

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

DATES AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting September 10-11, 2014, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,

PLACE: Embassy Suites Orlando – Lake Buena Vista South, 4955 Kyngs Heath Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746

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-15.064 Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas – South Region.

(1) through (4) No change.

(5) Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Open season:

1. General gun – Twelve days prior to Thanksgiving day through January 1 except during those years when January 1 falls on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, in which case the season would close on the following Sunday except in the Deep Lake Unit in the Stairsteps, Bear Island, Turner River, Corn Dance, and Loop units.

2. through 5. No change.

6. Special September duck – In the September season as established by Rule 68A-13.003, F.A.C., except on the Bear Island, Addition and Deep Lake Units.

7. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 6. No change.

7. Taking wildlife by use of a gun on or from rights-of-way of County Roads 839, 841, 837 or Burns Road or State Road 84 or 94 or US 41 or the L-28 Interceptor Canal levees is prohibited as provided by Rule 68A-4.008, F.A.C.

8. through 19. No change.

20. Motorized vehicles are prohibited in the Addition Unit except that licensed and registered vehicles may be operated on designated portions of L-28 Interceptor Canal levees north of I-75.

(6) through (11) No change.

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, 7-27-83, 9-27-83, 7-5-84, 7-1-85, 5-7-86, 8-5-86, 5-10-87, 8-24-87, 5-1-88, 6-7-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 9-1-90, 7-1-91, 7-1-92, 7-1-93, 7-1-94, 7-1-95, 8-15-95, 7-1-96, 9-15-96, 10-20-96, 6-1-97, 8-7-97, 7-1-98, 7-2-98, 7-1-99, Formerly 39-15.064, Amended 11-17-99, 7-1-00, 7-1-01, 6-2-02, 2-27-03, 5-1-03, 7-1-04, 7-1-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-09, 7-20-09, 1-19-10, 7-1-10, 8-26-10, 7-1-11, 7-1-12, 7-1-13, 7-1-14,_________.

 

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: June 19, 2014

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 8, 2014