23597207, 68A-25.002 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 23597207

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

RULES RELATING TO REPTILES

Overview

RULE:

68A-25.002

General Provisions for Taking, Possession and Sale of Reptiles

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rule revision is to 1) remove redundant language referring to take and possession of gopher tortoises which is already prohibited under 68A-27.003, F.A.C.; 2) include language prohibiting painting any turtle or tortoise; and 3) incorporate into rule by reference Commission-approved guidelines for four non-listed reptiles: the Suwannee cooter; and the Lower Keys populations of the peninsula ribbon snake, red rat snake, and striped mud turtle. The effect of this rule revision is to prohibit the take and painting of gopher tortoises and to incorporate into rule and provide hyperlinks for two Commission approved guidelines for four species.

SUMMARY:

This rule currently prohibits take and possession of the gopher tortoise which is also outlined in Rule 68A-27.003 F.A.C.. It also currently prohibits the possession of painted turtles but not the act of painting the turtle itself. The revised rule will remove language that is already found in other rules and will prohibit the painting of any turtle or tortoise. This rule also prohibits the take of the four non-listed reptiles: the Lower Keys populations of the peninsula ribbon snake, red rat snake, and striped mud turtle; and the Suwannee cooter, except as authorized by permit from the executive director as provided in Rule 68A-9.002.  The revised rule will clarify that take of these species is prohibited unless permitted, except as authorized in Commission approved guidelines. At the July 23, 2020 meeting, the Commission reviewed and approved these rule changes for the gopher tortoise and incorporation of guidelines for the four non-listed reptiles. The intent of this rule revision is to incorporate these guidelines into 68A-25.002 by reference and hyperlink.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

9/1/2020 Vol. 46/171

COMMENTS:

From 9/1/2020 To 9/22/2020 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Ref-10418 Alligator Snapping Turtle Guidelines

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