29942656, 68A-27.0021 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 29942656

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

RULES RELATING TO ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES

Overview

RULE:

68A-27.0021

Designation of Candidate Species; Prohibitions; Permits

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rule revision is to designate and declare the Holbrook's southern dusky salamander (Desmognathus auriculatus) and alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) as candidate species. The effect of the rule will prohibit intentional take of these species except as authorized by specific permit from the Executive Director while the species continue through the formal listing process as outlined in Rule 68A-27.0021, F.A.C., Procedures for Listing and Removing Species from Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List.

SUMMARY:

The proposed rule is an intermediate step in the state listing process for the Holbrook's southern dusky salamander and alligator gar. In 2022, the FWC received two requests to evaluate the Holbrook's southern dusky salamander and alligator gar for listing as State-designated Threatened and the Commission approved a Biological Review Group to evaluate the status of the species. Based on this evaluation, staff made a listing status recommendation to the Commissioners during their August 2025 meeting. Commissioners agreed both species warranted listing as State-designated Threatened and approved incorporating the Holbrook's southern dusky salamander and alligator gar into Rule 68A-27.0021, F.A.C. as a candidate species. This proposed rule is the outcome of that listing recommendation and will allow staff to continue with the listing process. Once added to the list of candidate species, staff will draft Management Plans and Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines. Staff will return to the Commissioners for Management Plan and Guidelines approval to complete the listing process and add the Holbrook's southern dusky salamander and alligator gar to the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

9/3/2025 Vol. 51/171

COMMENTS:

From 9/3/2025 To 9/24/2025 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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