PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on June 21, 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) received a complete application from Okaloosa County requesting approval of an ordinance to establish a Slow Speed Minimum Wake boating-restricted area within the Intercoastal Waterway in Okaloosa County pursuant to Section 327.46(1)(c), 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 the Intercoastal Waterway to include the waters within 500ft of the Fort Walton Beach Landing Park Boat Ramp and the Okaloosa Island Boat Basin Kayak Launch. Okaloosa County contends that the boating safety zone is needed to provide continuity between the abutting "Brooks Bridge" BSZ (68D-24.146 FAC) and proposed zones, therefore reducing confusion to the boating public, while continuing to improve overall safety within the waterways adjacent to the public launches. Okaloosa County is required to provide competent substantial evidence that the ordinance establishing the boating-restricted area is necessary to protect the safety of the public.

As a part of Okaloosa County’s ordinance review application, they have provided 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., Okaloosa 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 the Boating and Waterways Section at 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600; or by email at waterway.management@myfwc.com. The Commission will conduct a public hearing within Okaloosa County if a written request for such a hearing is received within 21 days following this notice.

DUE DATE: Thursday, July 13, 2023 (5:00 PM EST)

A COPY OF THE APPLICATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY EMAIL (IN PDF FORMAT) OR BY US MAIL. Please submit your request directly to waterway.management@myfwc.com or contact Boating and Waterways Section at (850) 488-5600.