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February 2024

Date: Feb 21, 2024 Time: 8:30 am
Date: Feb 22, 2024 Time: 8:30 am
Location:

Donald L. Tucker Civic Center
Meeting Room A
505 W. Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, Florida, 32301

Public comments will be accepted in person during the meeting.
This meeting is open to the public
Feb 2024 Minutes

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) is committed to providing opportunity for public input at each Commission meeting.  The Commission is offering the opportunity for stakeholders to provide their comments in advance as well as in person.  For in-person comments, please review the speaker registration guidelines at https://myfwc.com/about/commission/.  Advance comments were due by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 16th. If you would like to provide comments via mail, please send those comments to the following address:

FWC Commissioners
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

To ensure adequate time to address the business needs of the Commission, there will be no more than two (2) hours of public comment on items not on the agenda at this meeting.  Public comment on items not on the agenda will be heard at the end of Day 2, February 22nd.  The deadline for registration to speak on items not on the agenda is 10:00 am on February 22nd.  For items not on the agenda, the Chair reserves the right to reduce the amount of time per speaker or the total number of speakers.  To provide comments on items not on the agenda in advance, stakeholders can contact commissioners directly at commissioners@myfwc.com.

The Chair may opt to take action on any agenda item presented, even those listed as staff reports.  Agenda items may be re-ordered or moved by the Chairman to accommodate scheduling issues.  To accommodate as much input as possible from those attending, the Chair reserves the right to designate the amount of time given to an agenda item or speaker(s).  The meeting may include fact-finding field trips to learn about management and enforcement activities.

If any person decides to challenge any decision with respect to any matter considered at the meeting, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes testimony and evidence upon which the challenge is based.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting should notify the agency at least 10 calendar days before the meeting by calling 850-488-6411 or contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (Voice), if you are hearing or speech impaired.  If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, or if you need more information, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at: FWC, Office of Human Resources, 620 S Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-488-6411.  Or write to: Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

8:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 21st

  1. Call to Order
    1. Call to Order
    2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
  2. Administrative Matters
    1. Approve December 2023 Commission Meeting Minutes
    2. Approve Regular Meeting Agenda
    3. Approve Consent Agenda
      Details for all consent agenda items are listed at the end of this document.  Any questions about a consent agenda item should be addressed to agency staff prior to the Commission meeting.  Any item not approved as part of the consent agenda may be moved to the regular agenda or postponed at the discretion of the Chairman.
  1. Executive Director’s Report
  2. Awards and Recognition
    1. Artist Recognition
    2. Landowner of the Year Award. The Florida Land Steward Partnership annually recognizes a ‘Landowner of the Year’, a private landowner who goes above and beyond managing their property with highly commendable land stewardship.

BREAK

  1. Staff Report – Update on the Florida Wildlife Corridor
    Conservation partners across Florida have a long history of working together to conserve Florida’s diverse landscapes.  The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act is the culmination of decades of work by numerous conservation organizations and programs to define and generate public support for the geographic area designated as the Florida Wildlife Corridor.  The Act recognizes Florida’s landscapes as the foundation of the state’s economy and quality of life.  Maintaining landscape connectivity is essential for ecological function, the health of fish and wildlife, protecting watersheds and groundwater recharge areas, and maintaining productive landscapes that support sustainable farming, ranching, forestry, fisheries, tourism, and recreation.  Staff will provide an update on the Florida Wildlife Corridor, FWCs progress on landscape conservation, and new opportunities for the conservation of Florida’s unique landscapes.  Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 1 hour.
    Summary Memo | Presentation
  1. Items Requiring Action
    1. Proposed Final Rule – Pasco Zone Bay Scallop Season. Staff will present a proposed final rule to modify the bay scallop season in the Pasco Zone.  Beginning in 2018, a 10-day scallop season was opened in Pasco County following a 24-year closure.  A longer trial season was set by Executive Order in 2023 to assess whether it could balance resource sustainability with community interests.  This proposed rule would establish a longer season in rule based on the outcome of the 2023 trial season and feedback gathered after the season concluded.  Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 1 hour.
      Note:  Staff is requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible.  If the rule is approved for final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules as allowed by s. 120.54(3), Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
      Summary Memo | Presentation | 68B-18.005
    2. Proposed Final Rule – Trophy Bass Management Regulations. Staff will provide proposed final rules for regulation changes for Orange and Lochloosa Lakes to maximize trophy bass production.  Regulation changes would prohibit the harvest of bass over 20 inches and require the use of circle hooks when fishing with natural bait over 3 inches of length.  Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 1 hour.
      Note:  Staff is requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible.  If the rule is approved for final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules as allowed by s. 120.54(3), Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
      Summary Memo | Presentation | 68A-20.005
    3. Final Rules – Wildlife Rehabilitation Permits. Staff will present the final rule language for changes to wildlife rehabilitation permits to increase public safety, improve animal welfare, clarify the rule, and standardize requirements by creating an apprentice rehabilitation permit, establishing required training for the apprentice permit, increasing record keeping requirements for rehabilitation facilities, standardizing release requirements for rehabilitated animals and establishing required continuing education training for permitted rehabilitators.  Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 1 hour.
      Summary Memo | Presentation | 68A-9.006

ANTICIPATED LUNCH BREAK

  1. Staff Reports
    1. Federal Congressional Update. Staff will provide an update on fisheries and wildlife legislation before the U.S. Congress.  Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes.
      Summary Memo | Presentation
    2. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) Report. Staff will report on actions and discussions from the GMFMC’s January 29 – February 1 meeting.  Expected topics will include gag grouper, lane snapper, and other reef fishes, as well as continued discussions on MRIP FES and other topics relevant to Florida.  Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes.
      Summary Memo | Presentation
    3. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Report. Staff will report on actions and discussions from the SAFMC’s December 4-8 meeting.  Topics will include Spanish mackerel, red snapper, potential for-hire limited entry, a new federal private recreational permit, and updates on other discussions relevant to Florida.  Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes.
      Summary Memo | Presentation
  2. Recess Wednesday’s portion of the meeting no later than 5:00 p.m.

 

8:30 a.m., Thursday, February 22nd

  1. Call to Order
  2. Items Requiring Action
    1. Final Rules – Hunting Rules for 2024 – 2025. Staff will present final rule amendments to revise select statewide hunting regulations and specific area regulations on wildlife management areas, wildlife and environmental areas, and miscellaneous areas to accomplish management objectives.  Detailed proposed rule language is provided in background documents for this item.  Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 1 hour.
      Summary Memo | Presentation | 68A-1.004 | 68A-9.004 | 68A-9.008 | 68A-12.002 | 68A-12.003 | 68A-12.007 | 68A-12.008 | 68A-13.004 | 68A-13.007 | 68A-15.004 | 68A-15.005 | 68A-15.006 | 68A-15.061 | 68A-15.062 | NOC 68A-15.062 | 68A-15.063 | 68A-15.064 | 68A-15.065 | 68A-17.004 | 68A-17.005 | NOC 68A-17.005 | 68A-24.002 | 68A-24.005
    2. Proposed Final Rules – Special Alligator Harvest Opportunity. Staff will present proposed final rule amendments to create new alligator hunting opportunities allowing a limited number of special opportunity permittees to take two alligators anywhere throughout the state where access is granted during the established regular alligator harvest season.  Staff will request to publish the proposed rules and file for adoption without further hearing.  Detailed proposed rule language is provided in background documents for this item.  Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 1 hour.
      Note: Staff is requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible.  If the rule is approved for final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules as allowed by s. 120.54(3), Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
      Summary Memo | Presentation | 68A-9.007 | 68A-25.049 | 68A-25.052
  1. Staff Report – Update on Florida Manatee Warm-Water Habitat Management
    Staff will present an overview of current and future management and research efforts to further implement the Florida Manatee Warm-Water Habitat Action Plan.  Warm-water habitat is essential for manatees to survive winters in Florida.  FWC staff are coordinating closely with other agencies and our partners to create Regional Partnership Teams to assist in developing regional plans for long-term sustainable manatee warm-water habitat networks in Florida.  Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes.  (This item may be moved to day 1 or postponed).
    Summary Memo | Presentation | Florida Manatee Warm-Water Habitat Action Plan
  1. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
    Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 2 hours.
  2. Future Agenda Items
  3. Commissioner Exchange
  4. Adjournment
    The next Commission Meeting is scheduled for May 1 – 2, 2024, commencing at 8:30 a.m. each day.

Consent Agenda

Any questions about consent agenda items should be addressed to agency staff prior to the Commission meeting.

  1. Proposed Final Rule – Uniform Waterway Markers in Florida Waters. Staff seek approval of proposed rule amendments to reorganize the definitions section and provide clarification related to construction standards of Uniform Waterway Markers in Florida Waters to include dimensions and materials.
    Note:  Staff is requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible.  If the rules are approved for final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules as allowed by s. 120.54(3), Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    Summary Memo | 68D-23.103 | 68D-23.104 | 68D-23.106 | 68D-23.109 | Cover Sheet
  1. Proposed Final Rule – Minimum Standards for Mandatory Boating Safety Courses. Staff seek approval to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to incorporate updates to the minimum standards for mandatory boating safety courses.  These changes are necessary to revise and remove current language and update definitions, all of which will provide better clarification on the requirements and standards in the rule.
    Note:  Staff is requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible.  If the rules are approved for final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules as allowed by s. 120.54(3), Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    Summary Memo | 68D-36.101 | 68D-36.102 | 68D-36.103 | 68D-36.105 | 68D-36.106
  1. Proposed Final Rule – Recreational Use Permit Fees. Staff requests approval of a proposed final rule to increase the fees charged and the number of permits issued for Grove Park and Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Areas, consistent with permittee preferences and the landowners’ request.
    Note:  Staff is requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible.  If the rules are approved for final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules as allowed by s. 120.54(3), Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    Summary Memo | 68A-9.004
  1. Proposed Final Rule – Reef Fish Possession Language Clarification. Staff is requesting approval to modify rules to clarify that recreational possession of Atlantic blueline tilefish, Atlantic hogfish, and Gulf red snapper during each species’ respective closed season is prohibited.  This addition will provide consistent rule language throughout 68B-14, F.A.C., by prohibiting both recreational harvest and possession during the closed seasons for all reef fish species, while also improving compliance.
    Note:  Staff is requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible.  If the rule is approved for final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules as allowed by s. 120.54(3), Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    Summary Memo | 68B-14.0038 | 68B-14.0039 | 68B-14.0042 | Combined
  1. Proposed Update to 2024 Commission Meeting Dates. Staff is requesting approval to modify the approved 2024 Commission Meeting dates. Per Commissioner requests, the July 10 – 11, 2024 Commission Meeting will be cancelled.
    2024 Meeting Dates