FWC approves draft rule to improve airport safety
News Release
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Media contact: Patricia Behnke, 850-251-2130
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) approved draft rules on Wednesday that will allow
airports to take wildlife in emergency situations on airport
property without a permit from the FWC. The draft rules will help
airports avoid wildlife risks to human safety.
Under the current rules, if endangered or
threatened wildlife pose a threat to human safety, the airport must
receive a permit from the FWC to remove the wildlife.
For state-listed species, the draft rule allows the
take of the wildlife in emergency situations without a permit. If
the federal government protects wildlife, the take of the animals
will fall under the authorization or permit of the federal
government, and additional state authorization will not be
required. In addition, the take of all other wildlife will be
allowed if posing a threat to aircraft and human safety.
The draft rules also address the methods of take
not allowed, such as using pesticides not registered with Florida's
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
"I heard many positive comments from stakeholders,"
said Commissioner Kenneth Wright. "Staff did an excellent job of
bringing everyone together to draft a good rule."
The Commission directed staff to bring the final
rule back to the Commission at the June meeting in Lake Mary.
Persons with Disabilities