548746, 68C-22.027 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Notice: 548746

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Manatees

Chapter:

THE FLORIDA MANATEE SANCTUARY ACT

Overview

RULE:

68C-22.027

Duval County and Associated County (Parts of Clay and St. Johns) Zones

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rulemaking action is to amend the Commission’s manatee protection zones in the downtown Jacksonville area (i.e., between the Fuller Warren Bridge and Reddie Point) to make the zones identical to the existing federal manatee protection zones as amended by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in April 2005. The effect of the action would be to slightly expand and otherwise revise the Commission’s existing Slow Speed zones and add 25 MPH zones in two areas that are currently unregulated by the Commission’s rule. No changes would be made to any existing zones outside of the downtown Jacksonville area. It should be noted that the changes in the downtown area would not result in any additional on-water regulation that does not already exist pursuant to the federal zones. This action is being proposed after considering recommendations and comments made by the Duval County Local Rule Review Committee that was formed by the city of Jacksonville pursuant to Section 370.12(2)(f), F.S.

SUMMARY:

The Commission’s zones in the downtown Jacksonville area would be revised as follows: [1] the width of the Slow Speed buffer along the eastern shoreline of the St. Johns River between Reddie Point and the Hart Bridge would be expanded to 1,000 feet, and a 25 MPH zone would be added between this buffer and the existing 300-foot buffer along the western shoreline; [2] a 300-foot Slow Speed buffer would be added along the western shoreline of Exchange Island; [3] the Slow Speed zone east and south of Exchange Island would be changed to a shore-to-shore Slow Speed zone that includes slightly more area at the mouth of the Arlington River; [4] the area between the Hart Bridge and the Main Street Bridge would be changed to a shore-to-shore Slow Speed zone with speeds up to 25 MPH allowed in the marked channel of the Florida Intracoastal Waterway; and [5] the area between the Main Street Bridge and the Fuller Warren Bridge would be changed to a shore-to-shore Slow Speed zone that includes the marked channel of the Florida Intracoastal Waterway. No changes would be made to any existing zones outside of the downtown Jacksonville area.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

370.12(2)(n) FS.

LAW:

370.12(2)(d), (k), (n) FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

8/4/2006 Vol. 32/31

COMMENTS:

From 8/4/2006 To 8/25/2006 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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