11-17-2006, 09:10 PM
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will convene for a two-day meeting Dec. 6 at the Marriott Key Largo. That's at mile marker 103.8. The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. both days.
Wednesday's (Dec. 6) agenda includes review and discussion of the recent evaluation of FWC's Alligator Management Program. It concerns comments from the public during an online survey, during which some respondents suggested broader alligator hunting and more flexibility in dealing with nuisance gators. FWC Commissioners are not considering rule changes on this issue at the moment.
The FWC will consider final action on a proposed rule to change state manatee protection zones in the St. Johns River between the Fuller Warren Bridge and Reddie Point. The proposal is to conform FWC rules to federal rules in the area.
Also on Wednesday, Commissioners will consider final action on establishing a no-anchor zone for sailboats and other vessels with masts in an area between Big Pine Key and Little Torch Key, south of U.S. 1.
Commissioners will discuss proposed rules for wildlife management areas for 2007-08 and draft rule changes concerning permits for Marine Turtle Program activities. In addition, they will hear updates on issues associated with vessel anchoring and on a general management plan for the Addition Lands in Big Cypress National Preserve. Also, Commissioners will discuss the strategic focus of the FWC's Division of Law Enforcement.
Wednesday's agenda also includes review and discussion of work plans for the FWC's divisions of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Hunting and Game Management and Law Enforcement.
The first item on Thursday's agenda is election of the new chairman and vice chairman.
In other business Thursday, Commissioners will take final action on a proposed rule to extend the current moratorium on reducing traps in the spiny lobster fishery through the 2007-08 license year and receive an update on activities of the Spiny Lobster Advisory Board.
In other marine fisheries action, the FWC will receive a stock assessment of Florida's spotted seatrout fishery, review and discuss a proposed marine fisheries work plan for 2007-08, consider approval of a memorandum of understanding with the National Park Service regarding a monitoring plan for the Research Natural Area in Dry Tortugas National Park, receive an update on the future of saltwater fishing in Florida and consider federal marine fisheries management issues.
The Commission also will review and discuss the impact of 2005 red tide and a proposed rule to correct a loophole in regulations pertaining to possession of monofilament nets.
Commissioners will hear recommendations for the FWC's financial business plan and a legislative report in addition to updates on Florida's Wildlife Legacy Initiative and the future of hunting and saltwater fishing in Florida.
Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact Cindy Hoffman at (850) 488-6411 at least five days in advance. Hearing- or speech-impaired persons can arrange assistance by calling (850) 488-9542.
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FWC agenda items
Dec. 6-7, 2006 - Key Largo
Wednesday
Presentation of the Florida Wildlife Foundation's 2006 Louise Ireland Humphrey Achievement Award (the highest internal honor for FWC employees) to FWC Officer John Snow.
Presentation of the 2006 Shikar-Safari International Officer of the Year Award to FWC Officer Rick Francis.
Adoption of the consent agenda.
A proposed rule to conform state manatee protection zones to existing federal zones in the St. Johns River between the Fuller Warren Bridge and Reddie Point.
A proposed rule to prohibit sailboats and other vessels with masts from anchoring in an area between Big Pine and Little Torch keys, south of U.S. 1.
Review and discussion of 2007-08 proposed rules for wildlife management areas.
Review and discussion of draft rule changes concerning permits to conduct Marine Turtle Program activities.
Update on issues associated with vessel anchoring.
Review and discussion of the Alligator Management Program evaluation.
Review and discussion of strategic focus for the Division of Law Enforcement.
Update on the general management plan for the Addition Lands in Big Cypress National Preserve.
Review and discussion of the proposed 2007-08 work plan for the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management.
Review and discussion of the proposed 2007-08 work plan for the Division of Hunting and Game Management.
Review and discussion of the proposed 2007-08 work plan for the Division of Law Enforcement.
Acquisition of a 1,306-acre Barry's Ranch property in Alachua County as a mitigation park.
Thursday
Election of chairman and vice chairman.
A proposed rule to extend the suspension on spiny lobster trap reduction through the 2007-08 license year.
Update on Spiny Lobster Advisory Board issues and progress.
Review and discussion of the impact of the 2005 red tide.
Review and discussion of a draft rule to correct a loophole in regulations pertaining to possession of monofilament nets.
Review and discussion of stock assessment for spotted seatrout.
Consideration of a memorandum of understanding with the National Park Service regarding Dry Tortugas National Park.
Review and discussion of proposed 2007-08 work plan for the Division of Marine Fisheries Management.
Final recommendations for the FWC financial business plan.
Update on Florida's Wildlife Legacy Initiative.
Update on the future of hunting in Florida.
Update on the future of saltwater fishing in Florida.
Legislative report.
Public comment on items not on the agenda.
Wednesday's (Dec. 6) agenda includes review and discussion of the recent evaluation of FWC's Alligator Management Program. It concerns comments from the public during an online survey, during which some respondents suggested broader alligator hunting and more flexibility in dealing with nuisance gators. FWC Commissioners are not considering rule changes on this issue at the moment.
The FWC will consider final action on a proposed rule to change state manatee protection zones in the St. Johns River between the Fuller Warren Bridge and Reddie Point. The proposal is to conform FWC rules to federal rules in the area.
Also on Wednesday, Commissioners will consider final action on establishing a no-anchor zone for sailboats and other vessels with masts in an area between Big Pine Key and Little Torch Key, south of U.S. 1.
Commissioners will discuss proposed rules for wildlife management areas for 2007-08 and draft rule changes concerning permits for Marine Turtle Program activities. In addition, they will hear updates on issues associated with vessel anchoring and on a general management plan for the Addition Lands in Big Cypress National Preserve. Also, Commissioners will discuss the strategic focus of the FWC's Division of Law Enforcement.
Wednesday's agenda also includes review and discussion of work plans for the FWC's divisions of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Hunting and Game Management and Law Enforcement.
The first item on Thursday's agenda is election of the new chairman and vice chairman.
In other business Thursday, Commissioners will take final action on a proposed rule to extend the current moratorium on reducing traps in the spiny lobster fishery through the 2007-08 license year and receive an update on activities of the Spiny Lobster Advisory Board.
In other marine fisheries action, the FWC will receive a stock assessment of Florida's spotted seatrout fishery, review and discuss a proposed marine fisheries work plan for 2007-08, consider approval of a memorandum of understanding with the National Park Service regarding a monitoring plan for the Research Natural Area in Dry Tortugas National Park, receive an update on the future of saltwater fishing in Florida and consider federal marine fisheries management issues.
The Commission also will review and discuss the impact of 2005 red tide and a proposed rule to correct a loophole in regulations pertaining to possession of monofilament nets.
Commissioners will hear recommendations for the FWC's financial business plan and a legislative report in addition to updates on Florida's Wildlife Legacy Initiative and the future of hunting and saltwater fishing in Florida.
Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact Cindy Hoffman at (850) 488-6411 at least five days in advance. Hearing- or speech-impaired persons can arrange assistance by calling (850) 488-9542.
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FWC agenda items
Dec. 6-7, 2006 - Key Largo
Wednesday
Presentation of the Florida Wildlife Foundation's 2006 Louise Ireland Humphrey Achievement Award (the highest internal honor for FWC employees) to FWC Officer John Snow.
Presentation of the 2006 Shikar-Safari International Officer of the Year Award to FWC Officer Rick Francis.
Adoption of the consent agenda.
A proposed rule to conform state manatee protection zones to existing federal zones in the St. Johns River between the Fuller Warren Bridge and Reddie Point.
A proposed rule to prohibit sailboats and other vessels with masts from anchoring in an area between Big Pine and Little Torch keys, south of U.S. 1.
Review and discussion of 2007-08 proposed rules for wildlife management areas.
Review and discussion of draft rule changes concerning permits to conduct Marine Turtle Program activities.
Update on issues associated with vessel anchoring.
Review and discussion of the Alligator Management Program evaluation.
Review and discussion of strategic focus for the Division of Law Enforcement.
Update on the general management plan for the Addition Lands in Big Cypress National Preserve.
Review and discussion of the proposed 2007-08 work plan for the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management.
Review and discussion of the proposed 2007-08 work plan for the Division of Hunting and Game Management.
Review and discussion of the proposed 2007-08 work plan for the Division of Law Enforcement.
Acquisition of a 1,306-acre Barry's Ranch property in Alachua County as a mitigation park.
Thursday
Election of chairman and vice chairman.
A proposed rule to extend the suspension on spiny lobster trap reduction through the 2007-08 license year.
Update on Spiny Lobster Advisory Board issues and progress.
Review and discussion of the impact of the 2005 red tide.
Review and discussion of a draft rule to correct a loophole in regulations pertaining to possession of monofilament nets.
Review and discussion of stock assessment for spotted seatrout.
Consideration of a memorandum of understanding with the National Park Service regarding Dry Tortugas National Park.
Review and discussion of proposed 2007-08 work plan for the Division of Marine Fisheries Management.
Final recommendations for the FWC financial business plan.
Update on Florida's Wildlife Legacy Initiative.
Update on the future of hunting in Florida.
Update on the future of saltwater fishing in Florida.
Legislative report.
Public comment on items not on the agenda.