The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South Region. The effect of the proposed rule changes will be to allow the take of Conditional non-native snakes and lizards ...

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Rule No.: RULE TITLE
68A-15.064: Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - South Region
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South Region. The effect of the proposed rule changes will be to allow the take of Conditional non-native snakes and lizards and enable the agency to better manage fish and wildlife resources on WMAs.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule changes would revise specific area regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South Region as follows:

Big Cypress WMA – Conditional snakes and lizards may be taken in the area; method of take and reporting requirements for Conditional snakes and lizards will be the same as for Reptiles of Concern and none may be removed from the area alive.

Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA – Conditional snakes and lizards may be taken in the area; establish extended season for Reptiles of Concern and Conditional snakes and lizards; method of take and reporting requirements for Conditional snakes and lizards will be the same as for Reptiles of Concern and none may be removed from the area alive.

Holey Land WMA – Conditional snakes and lizards may be taken in the area; establish extended season for Reptiles of Concern and Conditional snakes and lizards; method of take and reporting requirements for Conditional snakes and lizards will be the same as for Reptiles of Concern and none may be removed from the area alive.

Rotenberger WMA – Conditional snakes and lizards may be taken in the area; establish extended season for Reptiles of Concern and Conditional snakes and lizards; method of take and reporting requirements for Conditional snakes and lizards will be the same as for Reptiles of Concern and none may be removed from the area alive.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: The agency has determined that this rule will ____or will not __X__have an impact on small business. A SERC has ____ or has not _X_ 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.

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

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAW.

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) No change.

(2) Holey Land Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 14. No change.

15. Reptiles of Concern as listed in subsection paragraphs 68A-6.007(1)(a)-(f), F.A.C., and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards as listed in subsection 68A-5.002(4), F.A.C., may be taken March 7 through April 17 and during established seasons for the taking of game animals or alligators and only by persons properly licensed and permitted to take game animals or alligators.

16. Guns are a prohibited method of take for Reptiles of Concern and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, except when the use of guns to take game or alligators is authorized and from March 7 through April 17 when all legal methods of take for game animals or alligators are allowed, except the use of centerfire rifles is prohibited.

17. Reptiles of Concern and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall not be removed from the areas alive.

18. Persons that take any Rreptile of Cconcern or Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall report the take within 36 hours, and shall provide all data requested.

19. From March 7 through April 17 shooting hours for Reptiles of Concern and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall be 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.

(e) No change.

(3) Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 21. No change.

22. Reptiles of Concern as listed in subsection paragraphs 68A-6.007(1)(a)-(f), F.A.C., and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards as listed in subsection 68A-5.002(4), F.A.C., may be taken March 7 through April 17 and during established seasons for the taking of game animals or alligators and only by persons properly licensed and permitted to take game animals or alligators.

23. Guns are a prohibited method of take for Reptiles of Concern and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, except when the use of guns to take game or alligators is authorized and from March 7 through April 17 when all legal methods of take for game animals or alligators are allowed, except the use of centerfire rifles is prohibited.

24. Reptiles of Concern and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall not be removed from the areas alive.

25. Persons that take any Rreptile of Cconcern or Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall report the take within 36 hours, and shall provide all data requested.

26. From March 7 through April 17 shooting hours for Reptiles of Concern and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall be 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.

(e) No change.

(4) Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 14. No change.

15. Reptiles of Concern as listed in subsection paragraphs 68A-6.007(1)(a)-(f), F.A.C., and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards as listed in subsection 68A-5.002(4), F.A.C., may be taken March 7 through April 17 and during established seasons for the taking of game animals or alligators and only by persons properly licensed and permitted to take game animals or alligators.

16. Guns are a prohibited method of take for Reptiles of Concern and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, except when the use of guns to take game or alligators is authorized and from March 7 through April 17 when all legal methods of take for game animals or alligators are allowed, except the use of centerfire rifles is prohibited.

17. Reptiles of Concern and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall not be removed from the areas alive.

18. Persons that take any Rreptile of Cconcern or Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall report the take within 36 hours, and shall provide all data requested.

19. From March 7 through April 17 shooting hours for Reptiles of Concern and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall be 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.

(e) No change.

(5) Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 15. No change.

16. Reptiles of Concern as listed in subsection paragraphs 68A-6.007(1)(a)-(f), F.A.C., and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards as listed in subsection 68A-5.002(4), F.A.C., may be taken during established seasons for the taking of game animals or alligators and only by persons properly licensed and permitted to take game animals or alligators.

17. Guns are a prohibited method of take for Reptiles of Concern and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards, except when the use of guns to take game or alligators is authorized.

18. Reptiles of Concern and Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall not be removed from the areas alive

19. Persons that take any Rreptile of Cconcern or Conditional non-native snakes and lizards shall report the take within 36 hours, and shall provide all data requested.

(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, 7-1-10,________.

 

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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 24, 2010

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: December 11, 2009