40C-9.320. Use of Motorized Vehicles, Recreational Vehicles, Boats, and Aircraft

(1) Motorized vehicles that are licensed for Florida highway use are allowed on District Lands. All-terrain, off-road, or other motorized vehicles not licensed for Florida highway use are prohibited on all District Lands except as follows:

(a) By a Special Use Authorization for access by mobility impaired persons which shall be issued by the Executive Director pursuant to Rule 40C-9.360, F.A.C.; or

(b) By Special Use Authorization issued by the Executive Director or Designee pursuant to Rule 40C-9.360, F.A.C., which shall be limited to three Special Use Authorizations per calendar year District wide, and shall have a duration not to exceed two days; or

(c) By Special Use Authorization issued by the Executive Director or Designee for the purpose of leading guided all-terrain vehicle tours on property designated by the District, pursuant to Rule 40C-9.360, F.A.C. No more than six Special Use Authorizations shall be granted per calendar year. Said Special Use Authorizations shall have a duration not to exceed one year. Each guided tour shall be limited to no more than 12 people and the vehicles involved shall be limited to those commonly referred to as “4-wheelers” and shall have low ground pressure tires so as to minimize impacts to existing vegetation.

(2) Overnight parking of recreational vehicles is prohibited on all District Lands except in areas designated by signs.

(3) Motorized vehicles licensed for Florida highway use shall be operated by licensed drivers only on roads designated as open for public motorized vehicles.

(4) Motorized vehicles shall not exceed posted speed limits. If no speed limit is posted, the speed limit shall be 30 miles per hour.

(5) Boating. Boating is allowed on all District-owned waterways (canals, impoundments, etc.) subject to the following:

(a) Boats traveling within 500 feet of any District structure or levee shall not exceed idle speed unless otherwise indicated by signs.

(b) Boats shall not be operated in a manner which would damage plants, animals or other environmental resources.

(c) Airboat use shall be limited to established airboat trails except in areas indicated in the land management plan as open for airboats.

(d) Boating is prohibited in areas closed to boating for public safety, resource protection, and protection of District facilities or equipment. Boating shall be limited by engine horsepower, speed, or vessel type as necessary for public safety, resource protection, or protection of District facilities or equipment, and these limitations shall be made specific to each waterbody. Areas closed to boating and boating limitations shall be indicated by signs.

(6) Boats on trailers shall only be launched from areas so designated by signs on each District Land.

(7) For the purposes of this section, the term “boating” includes both motorized and non-motorized boats.

(8) Taking off or landing aircraft on District Lands is prohibited unless authorized by a Special Use Authorization.

Specific Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.1391 FS. Law Implemented 373.083, 373.088, 373.093, 373.096, 373.099, 373.139, 373.1391, 373.1401, 373.199, 373.59 FS. History–New 1-16-94, Amended 5-11-94, 7-30-01, 6-7-04.