Endangered and Treatened Species: Establishment of Three Additional Manatee Protection Areas in FLorida

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to establish three additional manatee protection areas in Florida. We are proposing this action under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA), to further recovery of the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) by reducing the number of takings. We are proposing to designate areas in Lee, Duval, Clay, St. Johns, and Volusia Counties as manatee refuges in which certain waterborne activities would be regulated. Specifically, watercraft would be required to operate at idle, slow speed, 40 kilometers per hour (25 mph), or 48 kilometers per hour (30 mph) in areas described in the proposed rule. We also announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment for this action.