Proposed Rule To Establish a Manatee Refuge in Kings Bay, Citrus County, FL

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to establish a manatee refuge in Citrus County, Florida, in the waters of Kings Bay, including its tributaries and connected waters. We propose this action based on our determination that there is substantial evidence showing that certain waterborne activities would result in the taking of one or more manatees and that certain waterborne activities must be restricted to prevent the taking of one or more manatees in Kings Bay. We considered the biological needs of the manatee, the level of take at these sites, and the likelihood of additional take of manatees due to human activity at these sites in proposing this manatee refuge. These factors were the basis for establishing this area as a manatee refuge by a temporary emergency rule on November 9, 2010, which expired on March 15, 2011. We announced in the emergency rule that we would begin proceedings to establish this area as a manatee refuge. This proposed rule is part of that process. We also announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment for this action.