6233043, 68DER08-03 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Notice: 6233043

Notice of Emergency Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Vessel Registration and Boating Safety

Overview

RULE:

68DER08-03

Emergency Regulation of Vessel Traffic – St. Johns River and Tributaries

SPECIFIC REASONS FOR FINDING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE:

Additional rain and continued flooding from Tropical Storm Fay have caused severe flooding along various portions of the St. Johns River. The river has overflowed its banks in many places and expanded into the flood plain. This flooded condition has created an immediate danger to vessels transiting the area. Objects previously well above the water and objects previously on dry land have become wholly or partially submerged, creating hazards to navigation. These objects include without limitation, dwellings, electrical and telephone wires, utility poles, trees and stumps, docks and wharfs, boat houses, and sheds. The turbulent and muddy water has caused boats to allide dangerously upon submerged objects without warning. The flood now submerges the accustomed footpaths and handholds. Within these submerged areas, vessel wakes could cause persons to slip and fall, perhaps into the river. Under these circumstances, there is a substantial likelihood of injury or death. Operation of vessels on the waters of the St. Johns River, its associated lakes, and its tributaries from Lake George to State Road 50 presents an immediate danger to vessels and their occupants and to persons in or near the river when the river is at or above flood stage. Based on river flood levels, emergency regulations either exclude or restrict vessel operation to Idle Speed No Wake.

REASON FOR CONCLUDING THAT THE PROCEDURE IS FAIR UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES:

There is general concurrence from Volusia, Seminole, Brevard, Orange and Lake Counties, the United States Coast Guard, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission’s field office in Ocala, and the FWC Boating and Waterways Section, that enactment of the restricted areas based on water levels and gauge readings within segments of the St. Johns River, its associated lakes, and its tributaries is essential for the protection of public safety.
The boating restricted areas established in this emergency rule shall be active and enforceable only when the water levels are as specified in each area. The Commission established regulations based on the United States Geological Survey gauge levels as displayed by the National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service. These river levels are available in real time to the general public and to law enforcement agencies through the National Weather Service’s web site at www.weather.gov/ahps.
This emergency rulemaking is being coordinated with the United States Coast Guard, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the sheriffs of the affected counties. The Commission has consulted with the Executive Office of the Governor and through the sheriffs of the respective counties coordinated this action with the Board of County Commissioners of each county in which the restricted areas are located. The emergency rule will be forwarded to the United States Coast Guard Seventh District for publication in their weekly Local Notice to Mariners. The boating public will be notified by publication in the local notice, by marine VHF radio broadcast of the Coast Guard’s local notice, by personal contact from law enforcement officers, and by regulatory markers posted at boat ramps and other access points to the boating restricted areas.
 Because the water levels on the St. Johns River are in constant flux, varying in response to wind directions, wind speed, and accumulated rainfall, the danger to life and property is such that normal rulemaking procedures would not adequately protect the public from the anticipated harm. The procedures used in this emergency rulemaking action are therefore fair under the circumstances.

SUMMARY:

This emergency rule supersedes and replaces Emergency Rule 68DER08-2 filed for adoption with the Department of State on August 29, 2008. This action establishes: 1) An Idle Speed No Wake boating restricted area on the waters south of Lake George fender system to the Highlands Park Canal at Day Mark 39 to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River is at specified flood stage levels, 2) An Idle Speed and No Vessel boating restricted area from the Highlands Park Canal at Day Mark 39 and the I-4 Bridge to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River is at specified flood stage levels, 3) An Idle Speed boating restricted area from the I-4 Bridge to a select location within the southern portion of Lake Monroe to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River is at specified flood stage levels, 4) An Idle Speed and a No Vessel boating restricted area in a select location within the southern portion of Lake Monroe to S. R. 46 (south of Lake Harney) to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River is at specified flood stage levels, 5) An Idle Speed boating restricted area at Baxter’s Point to 300 feet southeast of the Hatbill Road Boat Ramp to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River is at specified flood stage levels, and 6) A No Vessel boating restricted area within Lake Jessup west of the S.R. 417 Bridge in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River is at specified flood stage levels. The exclusion areas will not apply to vessels under the command of U.S. Coast Guard licensed Masters, vessels owned or operated by governmental entities or are being used for governmental purposes, or persons resident at riparian property. Vessels are required to proceed only at Idle Speed No Wake. Residents will be allowed access to their properties at Idle Speed No Wake, but will be required to carry proof of residency and have it available for inspection.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE EMERGENCY RULE IS:

Major Paul Ouellette, Boating and Waterways Section, Division of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

10/10/2008 Vol. 34/41

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:

Joint Administrative Procedures Committee
Florida Administrative Law Central Online Network (F.A.L.C.O.N.)

RELATED COURT CASES:

Division of Administrative Hearings

FEDERAL eRULEMAKING
WEB PORTAL:

Regulations.gov

HOW TO LINK TO
THIS NOTICE:

http://flrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?id=68DER08-03&PDate=10/10/2008&Section=4

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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