(1) The Commission will establish a springs protection zone restricting speed and operation or prohibiting anchoring, mooring, beaching, or grounding of vessels within a first, second, or third magnitude spring or spring group, and associated spring runs when evidence demonstrates that a zone will protect or prevent the spring, spring group, or spring run from harm of the type identified in Florida Statutes § 327.45
    (2) Evidence of the need for spring protection or to prevent harm may include vessel carrying capacity studies, vessel traffic studies, vegetation or water quality studies, or any facts or data that are of a type reasonably relied upon by scientists, environmental professionals, boating professionals or engineers.
    (3) Any person may provide evidence to the Commission for use in the evaluation of a spring, spring group, or spring run under subsection (1).
    (4) Springs protection zones shall be no larger than necessary to protect or prevent specified harms to springs, spring runs, and spring groups.
    (5) Following the Commission’s adoption of a springs protection zone by rule, the zone will be enforceable once the Commission posts uniform waterway markers notifying the public of the regulations applicable in the zone.
Rulemaking Authority 327.04, 327.45 FS. Law Implemented Florida Statutes § 327.45. History-New 2-7-22.