The proposed rule amendment is to clarify for the public when swamp buggies and tracked vehicles are allowed in certain Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in the South Region.

 

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 proposed rule amendment is to clarify for the public when swamp buggies and tracked vehicles are allowed in certain Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in the South Region.

SUMMARY: The amendment to the rule clarifies the allowable use of swamp buggies and track vehicles as to specific WMAs in the South Region.

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.

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: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 375.313, 379.2223, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., 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 FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: M. Linville Atkins, Office of General Counsel, 620 S. Meridian Street. Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone], [e-mail].

 

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 17. No change.

18. Motor vehicles are prohibited outside hunting seasons and associated scouting periods, except street legal vehicles are allowed on the L-5 and Miami Canal levees. Swamp buggies and tracked vehicles are allowed year-round, except on designated levees only during the archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun-walk seasons, by permit only during the general gun-vehicle season, and from the day after the close of small game season April 15 through 5:59 a.m. two weeks prior to archery season.

19. No change.

(e) No change.

(3) No change.

(4) Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) General regulations:

1. through 17. No change.

18. Motor vehicles are prohibited outside hunting seasons and associated scouting periods, except street legal vehicles are allowed on the L-4, Manley Ditch, Miami Canal, and Powerline levees. Swamp buggies and tracked vehicles are allowed year-round, except on designated levees only during the archery, muzzleloading gun, and general gun-walk seasons, by permit only during the general gun-vehicle season, and from the day after the close of small game season April 15 through 5:59 a.m. two weeks prior to archery season.

19. No change.

(e) No change.

(5) through (13) 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, 9-18-14, 7-1-15, 7-29-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 9-14-17, 7-1-18, 7-1-19, 7-1-20, 7-1-21, 7-1-22, 7-1-23, _______.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: George Warthen, 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: February 21, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: July 27, 2023