The Florida Senate

261.06  Functions, duties, and responsibilities of the department.--The following are functions, duties, and responsibilities of the department through the division:

(1)  Coordination of the planning, development, conservation, and rehabilitation of state lands in and for the system.

(2)  Coordination of the management, maintenance, administration, and operation of state lands in the system and the provision of law enforcement and appropriate public safety activities.

(3)  Management of the trust fund and approval of the advisory committee's budget recommendations.

(4)  Implementation of the program, including the ultimate approval of grant applications submitted by governmental agencies or entities or nongovernmental entities.

(5)  Coordination to help ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations of the program and lands in the system.

(6)  Implementation of the policies established by the advisory committee.

(7)  Provision of staff assistance to the advisory committee.

(8)  Preparation of plans for lands in, or proposed to be included in, the system.

(9)  Conducting surveys and the preparation of studies as are necessary or desirable for implementing the program.

(10)  Recruitment and utilization of volunteers to further the program.

(11)  Rulemaking authority to implement the provisions of ss. 261.01-261.10.

(12)  In consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the environmental community, and the off-highway vehicle industry and user groups, review of the inventory of public lands to determine the feasibility of providing public access for off-highway vehicle recreation and trails. The department shall provide a report to the Governor and the presiding officers of the Legislature by January 1, 2003. The report must include at least two appropriate locations for public access for off-highway vehicle recreational use and the applicable cost of providing each facility. The cost section of the report shall fully explain the fiscal approach of renovating, maintaining, and operating each site and include a recommended fee structure to support the ongoing maintenance and operation of the program. The report shall also include the benefits and risks of offering each site for off-highway vehicle recreational use. The recommendations contained within the report shall be implemented to the extent enacted or appropriated by the Legislature. This subsection shall expire July 1, 2003.

History.--s. 53, ch. 2002-295.