Summary
The rule amendment proposes deregulating approximately 10 miles of remote, uninhabited stretches of the Suwannee River from the boating restricted area which activates during high water events. The affected section of the river is Zone 4, which extends from CR 340 downstream to Fowlers Bluff. There are no other proposed changes to Zone 4.
The proposed rule amendment would also revise the boating restricted area within the Santa Fe River which activates during high water events. Instead of the current 36-mile zone from River Rise to its confluence with the Suwannee River, the Santa Fe River would be divided into four zones. Each zone would activate and deactivate independently, which would more accurately reflect the public safety needs during various high water events occurring within the basin.
The revisions would also incorporate federally adopted gauge datum, resolve an incorrect reference to mean sea level in the current rule and update maps for consistency and to reflect changes in the restricted areas.