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9G l Indian River County Indian River County, Florida Administration Complex 1801 27th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 * ' * indianriver.gov MEMORANDUM File ID: 25-0542 Type: Consent Staff Report Meeting Date: 7/15/2025 TO: Board of County Commissioners THROUGH: John Titkanich Jr., County Administrator Kylie Yanchula, Natural Resources Director FROM: Melissa Meisenburg, Sr. Lagoon Environmental Specialist DATE: February 26, 2025 SUBJECT: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Manatee Speed Zone Rule Review Committee Request BACKGROUND The Manatee Sanctuary Act, F. S. 379.2431(2) authorizes the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to establish manatee protection rules. FWC establishes speed and vessel restrictions where necessary to protect manatees from vessel collisions and harassment. The rule making process is outlined in Rule 68C-22 of the Florida Administrative Code. FWC initiates the evaluation process to determine if a new or amended rule may be warranted for the protection of manatees. The evaluation includes population density, manatee use, boating use, and waterway characteristics. Once a new or amended rule is needed, it must follow the rule making process required in the Administrative Procedures Act, the Manatee Sanctuary Act, and the Uniform Rules of Procedure related to rule making. The process to amend current rules is as follows: 1. Notify the affected county government that FWC is proposing new or amended manatee speed zones. The county has 60 days to form a Local Rule Review Committee (LRRC) to review the rule proposal and submit a written report for consideration. The LRRC consists equally of waterway users and environmental stakeholders. 2. FWC publicly announces the need for a new or amended rule for manatee protection purposes in the county. 3. FWC provides the preliminary rule proposal and data to the LRRC. The LRRC has 60 days to review and submit its report to FWC. 4. FWC reviews the LRRC report and prepares a response. 5. If FWC Commissioners decide rule making is needed, a public comment notice is published. 6. A final public hearing is held by FWC Commissioners during a regularly scheduled FWC meeting. FWC Commissioners vote to adopt the proposed rule with or without changes. 7. If adopted, a Notice of Change is published. 8. Rules become effective 20 days after being adopted but are not enforceable until signs are posted. Indian River County, Florida Page 1 of 2 Printed on 7/10/2025 powered by LegistarT 86