Florida Administrative Code › 68 - FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION › 68F - Aquatic Plants › Chapter 68F-20 - AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL PERMITS › Section 68F-20.0045 - Criteria for Issuing, Modifying or Denying Permit Applications

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) The Commission recognizes the varied
				human and environmental concerns for Florida's waters. Aquatic plant control
				permits shall be issued to allow persons reasonable access to, and use of,
				these waters while maintaining sufficient native vegetation to provide for
				environmental concerns such as the impact upon fish, wildlife, water quality,
				and shoreline stabilization. Native aquatic plant species in natural waters
				will not be considered for control unless the native species alone, or when
				intermingled with nonindigenous species, have become noxious.
(2) In determining whether a permit shall be
				issued for aquatic plant management purposes, the Commission shall consider the
				following criteria:
(a) The noxious aquatic
				plant species present and the potential of the target plants to create adverse
				effects.
(b) The amount and quality
				of the aquatic plants within the waterbody and the proposed management site,
				and their importance to biological communities that are utilizing
				them.
(c) The positive or adverse
				impacts of the aquatic plant management activities on public interest
				considerations such as:
1. Health and safety
				of the public.
2.
				Navigation.
3. General public's
				access to, or use of, the waterbody.
4. Riparian property owners' access to, or
				use of, the waterbody.
5. Swimming,
				fishing or other recreational activities.
6. Water flow or the potential for
				flooding.
(d) The
				positive or adverse impacts of the aquatic plant management activities on fish
				and wildlife considerations such as:
1.
				Endangered or threatened species, species of special concern, or their prey
				species and habitat.
2. The
				potential of the management activities to improve habitat for the production of
				fish and wildlife, including non-game species.
3. The potential of the plant management
				activities to increase or improve native aquatic plant species
				diversity.
(e) The
				positive or adverse impacts of the proposed aquatic plant management activities
				on water quality considerations such as:
1.
				Plant coverage which protects or improves water quality.
2. Plant coverage which prevents or reduces
				shoreline erosion and runoff.
3.
				Nutrient levels, dissolved oxygen levels, deposition of organic matter,
				herbicide residues or other impacts on water quality outside of the control
				area designated by the Commission.
(f) The protection of the receiving
				waterbodies consistent with the classes of surface waters established pursuant
				to chapter 62-302, F.A.C.
(g) The
				potential of the proposed activity to spread noxious aquatic plants, or to
				promote the survival and growth of native aquatic plants.
(h) Whether a conservation easement has been
				established that prohibits the alternation of removal of vegation in the area
				proposed for aquatic plant control.