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Dear Commissioners,

Please see my previous three emails on the subject of airboat noise, which point out flaws and problems with the standard created by the state on vessel noise.

Here I would like to address another related issue: bald eagle protections and airboats/fireworks.

Airboat noise and/or use of fireworks near bald eagle nests during nesting season (from Oct 1 - May 15) is highly likely to disturb bald eagles in violation of the state eagle rule (68A-16.002, F.A.C<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.flrules.org/gateway/RuleNo.asp?ID=68A-16.002__;!!LGX2LR-tWgttPq0!VZa7tZeXsiA_ky2rOee5NnDm-P_OQwgOAkZTds5YUplrintsvp9tBjH9qkvCgosBqfw$>.) and theBald and Golden Eagle Protection Act<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.fws.gov/birds/policies-and-regulations/laws-legislations/bald-and-golden-eagle-protection-act.php__;!!LGX2LR-tWgttPq0!VZa7tZeXsiA_ky2rOee5NnDm-P_OQwgOAkZTds5YUplrintsvp9tBjH9qkvCcC9fczU$> and Migratory Bird Treaty Act<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.fws.gov/birds/policies-and-regulations/laws-legislations/migratory-bird-treaty-act.php__;!!LGX2LR-tWgttPq0!VZa7tZeXsiA_ky2rOee5NnDm-P_OQwgOAkZTds5YUplrintsvp9tBjH9qkvCWWYglg4$>.

The state exemption for fireworks also violates these protections for bald eagles (when fireworks are set off near eagle nesting areas, such as in my community on Newnans Lake). Further, fireworks are defined as prohibited explosives and banned substances under federal law. That the ATF does not specifically "regulate" individual use does not make their use legal under federal law. Their use is unlawful without a license.

Sincerely,
Gwendolyn Stone (aka Jennifer Van Bergen)

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