29634778, 68A-27.003 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 29634778

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-27.003

Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List; Prohibitions

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rulemaking is to maintain consistency with federal listing and taxonomic determinations for nine Federally-listed species on the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List under Rule 68A-27.003, F.A.C.. Proposed revisions will update listing status of the red-cockaded woodpecker (currently Federally-designated Endangered), oceanic whitetip shark and queen conch (both currently with no status) to Federally-designated Threatened. Two species will be added to the Federally-designated Endangered list: the black-capped petrel (currently no status) and pillar coral (currently Federally-designated Threatened). One species, the Bachman’s warbler, will be removed from the list due to extinction. Additionally, taxonomy of the federally listed Audubon’s crested caracara, Cape Sable seaside sparrow, and Rice’s whale will be updated.

SUMMARY:

The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to maintain consistency among state and federal lists of protected species. The red-cockaded woodpecker was reclassified from Endangered to Threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in October 2024. The oceanic whitetip shark was listed as Threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in January 2018. The queen conch was listed as Threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in February 2024. The black-capped petrel was listed as Endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act in December 2023. The pillar coral was reclassified from Threatened to Endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act in December 2024. The Bachman’s warbler was removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife due to extinction in October 2023. Rule 68A-27.0012, F.A.C., states that if a species is federally listed, it will “be listed by the Commission as a Florida Endangered and Threatened Species by virtue of the federal designation.” The proposed final rule also will update the taxonomy of the federally listed Audubon’s crested caracara, Cape Sable seaside sparrow, and Rice’s whale (formerly Bryde’s whale) for consistency with the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

6/5/2025 Vol. 51/109

COMMENTS:

From 6/5/2025 To 6/26/2025 (21 Days)

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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