Notice of Proposed Rule

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Freshwater Fish and Wildlife
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68A-9.002: Permits to Take Wildlife or Freshwater Fish for Justifiable Purposes
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule change is to allow volunteers of the Commission to take fish and wildlife under an approved volunteer program according to conditions specified for the program. The effect will be to facilitate use of volunteers in the Commission’s conservation efforts while reducing the workload of permitting staff.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule change will allow volunteers of the Commission to take fish and wildlife under an approved volunteer program according to conditions specified for the program.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: The agency has determined that this rule will ____or will not _X__have an impact on small business. A SERC has ____ or has not _X__been prepared by the agency.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution n; Sections 375.313, 379.2223, Florida Statutes.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 17-18, 2010, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: Franklin County Courthouse, 33 Market Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: The ADA Coordinator, at (850)488-6411. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Timothy E. O’Meara, Leader, Wildlife Research Section, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

68A-9.002 Permits to Take Wildlife or Freshwater Fish for Justifiable Purposes.

(2) Employees of the Commission may take wildlife or freshwater fish or their nests or eggs for scientific, educational, propagation, exhibition or other justifiable purposes when such taking has been authorized by the executive director or is essential to the performance of their assigned duties. The authority granted under this section shall not be construed to exempt any person from purchasing hunting or fishing licenses as required by Section 372.57, F.S. The executive director may issue permits authorizing the taking or managing of wildlife or freshwater fish for specified commercial purposes.

(3) Commission volunteers may take wildlife or freshwater fish or their nests or eggs for scientific, educational, propagation, exhibition or other justifiable purposes provided that:

(a) Such taking is pursuant to a volunteer program approved by the Division/Office director or his or her designee,

(b) The Division/Office director or his or her designee has approved specific conditions under which wildlife or freshwater fish or their nests or their eggs may be taken by volunteers, and

(c) The volunteers are in possession of written authorization from the volunteer program’s Volunteer Program Coordinator or Volunteer Workday Leader specifying those conditions.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: As soon as possible after adoption.

Rulemaking Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 6-4-81, 6-21-82, Formerly 39-9.02, Amended 12-25-95, 4-1-96, Formerly 39-9.002, Amended 7-1-02,_________.

 

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED. IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.W.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Timothy E. O’Meara, Leader, Wildlife Research Section, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 9, 2009
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: December 11, 2009