9770148, 68C-22.010 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Notice: 9770148

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Manatees

Chapter:

THE FLORIDA MANATEE SANCTUARY ACT

Overview

RULE:

68C-22.010

Broward County Zones

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rule making action is to improve protection of manatees and manatee habitat in Broward County by amending the existing regulations that establish safe havens and 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; and [2] recommendations made by the Broward 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 establish safe havens and limit allowable motorboat speed in portions of the county and to revise other provisions of the rule. Adoption of the proposed changes would add 22 minutes to the roughly four hours it currently requires to transit the county in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) during cold season weekdays, with nominal or no change during other times. The changes would have minor or no impact on the water in many locations because of existing boating safety zones that are more restrictive.

SUMMARY:

The majority of the existing manatee protection zones were established in 1993. The proposed changes would revise the zones in and around portions of the ICW, mostly in the northern section of the county and mostly during the cold season (Nov. 15 – Mar. 31). The existing cold season weekend-only Slow Speed zones between the Palm Beach County line and the vicinity of Atlantic Boulevard, and from north of Sunrise Boulevard to Burnham Point, would be changed to be in effect all days during the cold season, while the zones in the general vicinity of Hillsboro Inlet to south of N.E. 14th Street would be changed to year-round Slow Speed. The existing cold season Slow Speed zone just south of Dania Beach Boulevard would also be changed to year-round Slow Speed. Holidays would be added to the cold season weekend-only Slow Speed zone between Atlantic Boulevard to north of Sunrise Boulevard, with the Lake Santa Barbara area added to this zone (for both cold season and warm season regulation). The existing No Entry zone in the discharge canal of the Port Everglades power plant would be expanded to include the entire canal system west of the ICW. The maps accompanying this notice show only those geographic areas where zones would change. 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) FS.

LAW:

379.2431(2) FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

3/25/2011 Vol. 37/12

COMMENTS:

From 3/25/2011 To 4/15/2011 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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