8241137, 68C-22.026 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 8241137

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Manatees

Chapter:

THE FLORIDA MANATEE SANCTUARY ACT

Overview

RULE:

68C-22.026

Sarasota County Zones

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rule making action is to improve protection of manatees and manatee habitat in Sarasota County by amending the existing regulations that limit allowable motorboat speed in portions of the county. These actions are being proposed after considering: [1] new information, analyses, and reports that have been collected, performed, or prepared since the existing zones were established; [2] existing federal manatee protection regulations in portions of the county; and [3] recommendations made by the Sarasota County Local Rule Review Committee that was formed pursuant to Section 379.2431(2)(f), F.S. The effect of the action would be to amend the zones that limit allowable motorboat speed in portions of the county and to revise other provisions of the rule, including those pertaining to the availability of permits for commercial fishing and professional fishing guide activities.

SUMMARY:

New or expanded manatee protection zones would be added in the western portion of Sarasota Bay in the vicinity of New Pass and Bird Key, while the Manatee County portion of the existing zone in the Buttonwood Harbor area would be removed. Seven segments of the Intracoastal Waterway channel (totaling approximately 2.6 miles) between Siesta Key and Forked Creek (in Lemon Bay) would be changed from 25 MPH to Slow Speed, and the existing zone at Venice Inlet would be extended approximately 450 feet westward (into) the inlet. Zones would also be added in a section of Little Sarasota Bay to mirror the existing federal zones. The maps accompanying this notice show only those areas where the zones would change. Adoption of the proposed changes would increase the amount of area regulated for manatee protection in the county by 3% (313 acres) and increase the amount of time required to transit the county in the Intracoastal Waterway by 15 minutes. The section of the rule dealing with permits for commercial fishers and professional fishing guides would be amended to narrow the permits to cover only commercial fishing net-setting activities. Other changes to the rule would amend the preamble language to make it consistent with current statutory and rule language and otherwise clean up zone descriptions to improve accuracy and make the descriptions easier to understand.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

379.2431(2)(g), (n), (o) FS.

LAW:

379.2431(2)(d), (g), (k), (n), (o) FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

2/5/2010 Vol. 36/05

COMMENTS:

From 2/5/2010 To 2/26/2010 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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