The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sets June 7-8 meeting for West Palm Beach
6/6/2006
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet at the West Palm Beach Marriott June 7-8.
Dominating the Wednesday (June 7) agenda are proposals to proceed with the final phase of reclassifying manatees from endangered to threatened and to remove bald eagles from the imperiled species list. The final phase involves creating species-management plans to ensure protection measures continue to match species’ needs. The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. both days.
Classification changes reflect changes in species’ vulnerability to extinction, but they do not alter protection measures, which scientists detail in species-management plans.
FWC Commissioners also will consider proceeding with reclassifying the Panama City crayfish and gopher tortoise from species of special concern to threatened.
Other action on the June 7 agenda tentatively includes two rule proposals that would facilitate the transfer of lead management authority for the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to the FWC.
Also, Commissioners will consider proposals to move the agency’s due process procedures into its rules and establish standards for its rulemaking regarding hunting and fishing. In addition, Commissioners will consider repealing obsolete rules left over from the former Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and Marine Fisheries Commission before the two merged in 1999 to form the FWC.
Manatee protection rule proposals on the June 7 agenda would modify manatee protection zones in the Placida Harbor area of Charlotte County to provide an additional 25-mph channel for access to the southern end of Little Gasparilla Island, and make state manatee protections in the St. Johns River conform to federal zones between Fuller Warren Bridge and Reddie Point. Also, Commissioners will review and discuss the need for new manatee safe havens in Port Sutton, Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Welaka Springs, portions of Big Mud and Little Mud creeks and Munyon Island.
In addition, Wednesday’s agenda includes consideration of delegating to the executive director authority to sign an order establishing the Babcock Ranch Preserve following state purchase of the property.
On Thursday, the Commission will consider approval of a proposed rule to adjust the snook slot limit by one inch on both the lower and upper ends of the limit, moving it from 26-34 inches to 27-35 inches total length. This proposed action is intended to compensate for the new total length measurement requirement for certain saltwater fish that takes effect July 1.
Commissioners also will consider emergency rules that would extend the moratorium on blue crab endorsements and delay implementation of the blue crab effort management program until July 1, 2007 (or beyond).
In addition, the FWC will consider various federal marine fisheries management issues and review a draft document regarding the future of Florida ’s saltwater fisheries.
Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting because of a disability can arrange assistance by contacting Cindy Hoffman at least five days in advance at (850) 488-6411. Hearing- or speech-impaired persons can arrange assistance by calling (850) 488-9542.
For more information please visit MIA FWC website.
Dominating the Wednesday (June 7) agenda are proposals to proceed with the final phase of reclassifying manatees from endangered to threatened and to remove bald eagles from the imperiled species list. The final phase involves creating species-management plans to ensure protection measures continue to match species’ needs. The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. both days.
Classification changes reflect changes in species’ vulnerability to extinction, but they do not alter protection measures, which scientists detail in species-management plans.
FWC Commissioners also will consider proceeding with reclassifying the Panama City crayfish and gopher tortoise from species of special concern to threatened.
Other action on the June 7 agenda tentatively includes two rule proposals that would facilitate the transfer of lead management authority for the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to the FWC.
Also, Commissioners will consider proposals to move the agency’s due process procedures into its rules and establish standards for its rulemaking regarding hunting and fishing. In addition, Commissioners will consider repealing obsolete rules left over from the former Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and Marine Fisheries Commission before the two merged in 1999 to form the FWC.
Manatee protection rule proposals on the June 7 agenda would modify manatee protection zones in the Placida Harbor area of Charlotte County to provide an additional 25-mph channel for access to the southern end of Little Gasparilla Island, and make state manatee protections in the St. Johns River conform to federal zones between Fuller Warren Bridge and Reddie Point. Also, Commissioners will review and discuss the need for new manatee safe havens in Port Sutton, Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Welaka Springs, portions of Big Mud and Little Mud creeks and Munyon Island.
In addition, Wednesday’s agenda includes consideration of delegating to the executive director authority to sign an order establishing the Babcock Ranch Preserve following state purchase of the property.
On Thursday, the Commission will consider approval of a proposed rule to adjust the snook slot limit by one inch on both the lower and upper ends of the limit, moving it from 26-34 inches to 27-35 inches total length. This proposed action is intended to compensate for the new total length measurement requirement for certain saltwater fish that takes effect July 1.
Commissioners also will consider emergency rules that would extend the moratorium on blue crab endorsements and delay implementation of the blue crab effort management program until July 1, 2007 (or beyond).
In addition, the FWC will consider various federal marine fisheries management issues and review a draft document regarding the future of Florida ’s saltwater fisheries.
Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting because of a disability can arrange assistance by contacting Cindy Hoffman at least five days in advance at (850) 488-6411. Hearing- or speech-impaired persons can arrange assistance by calling (850) 488-9542.
For more information please visit MIA FWC website.