18604229, 68B-31.016 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 18604229

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

SHRIMP

Overview

RULE:

68B-31.016	Tortugas Shrimp Beds: Repeal of Section 370.151(2), F.S. (1991); Redescription of Tortugas Shrimp Beds; Closed Areas
68B-31.018	Northwest Region Closed Areas; Repealed Special Acts

PURPOSE:

The purpose of these rule amendments is to correct existing coordinates in rule to match the positions of the referenced or other present-day landmarks in Chapter 68B-31, Florida Administrative Code (FAC), using current technology.  

Many of the Commission’s marine fisheries rules contain geographic coordinates that define the boundaries of where rules apply.  Over time some of these coordinates have become inaccurate for a variety of reasons, including the repositioning or removals of landmarks like navigation aids and piers and natural changes in shorelines.  The accuracy of GPS technology has also improved since many of these coordinates were established.  The purpose of these rule amendments is to improve the description of several areas closed to shrimp harvest, including the Tortugas Shrimp Beds in south Florida and several areas in northwest Florida.  Currently, the description of the Tortugas Shrimp Beds contains references to four landmarks where the corresponding geographic coordinates are inaccurate by approximately 100 to 700 feet.  The description of the Tortugas Shrimp Beds also contains four points defining shoreline landmarks which are either outdated or difficult to interpret.  The descriptions of the areas closed to shrimp harvest in Big Bayou at St. Vincent Island, St. George Sound, Apalachicola Bay, Apalachee Bay currently contain references to 11 landmarks where the corresponding geographic coordinates are inaccurate by 300 feet to 1 mile.  In addition, the description of the area within Apalachicola Bay contains references to two aids to navigation that do not have geographic coordinates associated with them; including geographic coordinates for these aids to navigation would improve the clarity of the rule.  In addition to the above inaccuracies, 68B-31.018 contains coordinates in the format of degrees-minutes-seconds which will be translated to degrees-decimal minute and formatted to match International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for increased public understanding.

The effect of this proposed draft rule will be an improved description of the boundary of the Tortugas Shrimp Beds; improved descriptions of the closed areas of Big Bayou at St. Vincent Island, a portion of St. George Sound, a portion of Apalachicola Bay, and Apalachee Bay; and coordinates updated to conform to the current ISO standard format.  This will be accomplished by correcting the inaccurate geographic coordinates defining referenced landmarks, establishing geographic coordinates in place of currently difficult to interpret shoreline landmarks, and including coordinates for aids to navigation that do not currently have an associated geographic coordinate in rule.

SUMMARY:

These rules will use geographic coordinates to better describe the Tortugas Shrimp Beds and areas of Big Bayou at St. Vincent Island, a portion of St. George Sound, a portion of Apalachicola Bay, and Apalachee Bay, by correcting inaccuracies, establish new coordinates in place of difficult to interpret shoreline landmarks, and update the format of existing coordinates to match ISO standards.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

2/15/2017 Vol. 43/31

COMMENTS:

From 2/15/2017 To 3/8/2017 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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