Public Workshops/Notices/Comment Opportunities
Proposed Rule Amendment Regarding Establishing Criteria for Boating Restricted Areas
At the Oct. 4-5 Commission meeting, FWC staff will present a summary of input received and the proposed final rule amendments on language amending Rule 68D-24.003.
Background
Florida Statute authorizes the FWC to establish boating restricted areas by rule for public safety purposes. Current rule language isn’t specific about what information the Commission may consider when establishing these areas. This proposed rule would establish what information should be evaluated when considering whether to create a boating restricted area.
Public comment may be submitted at BoatingPublicComments@MyFWC.com
Meeting Notices
The Natural Resources Management Department of Brevard County, Florida announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
General Subject Matter to Be Considered
This meeting pertains to anchoring limitation areas in Brevard County; proposing county ordinance 23-XX of the Brevard County Code of Ordinances (“Code”); establishing anchoring limitation areas within and adjacent to certain areas in the City of Melbourne, Florida; and providing for severability, inclusion in the code, and an effective date.
Meeting Details
For meeting details and more information about the proposal, contact the Brevard County Boating and Waterways Program Coordinator at 321-372-5196, matt.culver@brevardfl.gov.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting is asked to advise Brevard County at least five days before the meeting by calling 321-372-5196.
The Public Works Department of Pinellas County, Florida announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
Meeting Details
Date and Time
Oct. 17, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time
Location for In-Person Attendance
County Communications Department Building
Palm Room
333 Chestnut Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Members of the public wishing to address the Board in person are encouraged to preregister at Comment.Pinellas.gov. Preregistration is encouraged but not required. Those who have not preregistered may register when they arrive.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting is asked to advise Pinellas County at least five days before the meeting by contacting the Executive Assistant in Public Works at 727-464-3829.
Virtual Meeting Details
This public meeting will be live streamed at:
It will be broadcast on Pinellas County cable public access channels:
- Spectrum Channel 637
- Frontier Channel 44
- WOW! Channel 18
Zoom Meeting Details
Members of the public wishing to address the Board via Zoom or by phone are required to preregister by 5 p.m. on Monday Oct. 16, 2023, by visiting Comment.Pinellas.gov. Those who cannot access the registration form via the internet may call 727-464-3000 to request assistance preregistering.
Members of the public who have preregistered may attend the meeting via Zoom by visiting Pinellas.gov/attend or by calling the Zoom webinar at one of the following numbers: 1-646-558-8656; or 1-312-626-6799; or 1-301-715-8592; or 1-346-248-7799; or 1-720-707-2699; or 1-253-215-8782. The Webinar ID number is 238 247 671. There is no guarantee against technology failures.
Providing Comments in Advance
Members of the public wishing to provide comments in advance may call the Agenda Comment Line at 727-464-4400 or complete the online comment form at Pinellas.gov/bccagendacomment. Comments must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Monday Oct. 16, 2023.
Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may provide public input on any agenda item through use of the State of Florida’s relay service at 7-1-1.
Meeting Participation Information
Find information about participating in a Board of County Commissioners Meeting.
General Subject Matter to Be Considered
This is a meeting of the Public Works Department of Pinellas County, Florida pertaining to Anchoring Limitation Areas in Pinellas County, Creating County Ordinance 23-XX of the Pinellas County Code of Ordinances (“Code”), establishing anchoring limitation areas within certain areas in Clearwater, Florida; and providing for severability, inclusion in the code, and an effective date.
The Ordinance can be inspected at the Pinellas County Board Records Department, which is located 315 Court Street, Fifth Floor, Clearwater, Florida, 33756. The Ordinance will also be posted at the Pinellas County calendar before the meeting. There may be modifications to the Ordinance made at the hearing.
For More Information
Contact the Pinellas County Executive Assistant in Public Works office at 727-464-3829 or kbaker@pinellas.gov.
Current Public Comment Opportunities
Notice is hereby given that on Sept. 25, 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) received a completed application from Pasco County requesting approval of an ordinance to establish a Slow Speed Minimum Wake boating restricted area within Gulf Island Lagoon pursuant to 327.46, Florida Statutes (F.S.) and Rule 68D-21.004, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
The Slow Speed Minimum Wake boating restricted area would be within Gulf Island Lagoon to include the waters 300 feet around a bridge per 327.46(1)(b)2b, and 300 feet around a narrow entrance presenting a blind corner per 327.46(1)(c)2a. Pasco County is required to provide substantial competent evidence the ordinance establishing the boating restricted area under 327.46(1)(c)2a is necessary to protect the safety of the public.
As a part of Pasco County’s ordinance review application, they have provided substantial competent evidence in support of the proposed zone to the Commission. At this time the ordinance has been approved by the Commission based upon the evidence submitted.
As required by Rule 68D-21.001(3), F.A.C., Pasco County has published as provided by Sections 50.011-.031, F.S., once a week for two consecutive weeks, notice of the public hearing on their ordinance in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the ordinance.
Public Participation: Pursuant to Rules 68D-21.002, and 68D-21.003, F.A.C., comments regarding this request will be accepted no more than 21 calendar days from the date of publication/distribution of this public notice. Public may provide written comments, recommendations, requests, inquiries, or other correspondence to:
Boating and Waterways Section
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
or by emailing waterway.management@myfwc.com.
The Commission will conduct a public hearing within Pasco County if a written request for such a hearing is received within 21 days following this notice.
Due Date for Public Comment: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2023 (5 p.m. Eastern time)
A copy of the application can be obtained by U.S. mail or email (in PDF format) by submitting a request to waterway.management@myfwc.com or contacting Boating and Waterways Section at 850-488-5600.
Previous opportunities to provide feedback
The FWC actively seeks public input on a variety of topics related to boating and waterways and provides public notices of proposed and approved local boating restricted areas. Please check back to this webpage for updates.
Survey About Sewage Disposal Needs
Boaters, take this Florida Sea Grant survey to provide your input about what and where additional sewage disposal resources are needed in the state.
Learn more by reviewing the FAQs about this survey.