Cooperative agreements with United States Forest Service; penalty.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is authorized and empowered:

(1) To enter into cooperative agreements with the United States Forest Service for the development of game, bird, fish, reptile, or fur-bearing animal management and demonstration projects on and in the Osceola National Forest in Columbia and Baker Counties, and in the Ocala National Forest in Marion, Lake, and Putnam Counties and in the Apalachicola National Forest in Liberty County. Provided, however, that no such cooperative agreements shall become effective in any county concerned until confirmed by the board of county commissioners of such county expressed through appropriate resolution.

(2) In cooperation with the United States Forest Service, to make, adopt, promulgate, amend, and repeal rules and regulations, consistent with law, for the further or better control of hunting, fishing, and control of wildlife in the above National Forests or parts thereof; to shorten seasons and reduce bag limits, or shorten or close seasons on any species of game, bird, fish, reptile, or fur-bearing animal within the limits prescribed by the Florida law, in the above enumerated National Forests or parts thereof, when it shall find after investigation that such action is necessary to assure the maintenance of an adequate supply of wildlife.

(3) In addition to the requirements of chapter 120, notice of the making and adoption of rules and regulations pursuant to this section shall be given by posting the notices or copies of the rules and regulations in the offices of the county judges and in the post offices within the area to be affected and within 10 miles thereof. In addition to the posting of the notices, copies of the notices or rules and regulations shall be published in newspapers published at the county seats of Baker, Columbia, Marion, Lake, Putnam, and Liberty Counties, or so many thereof as have newspapers, once between 28 and 35 days and once between 14 and 21 days before the opening of the state hunting season in those areas. A person who violates any rules or regulations of the commission to manage such areas under cooperative agreements between the commission and the United States Forest Service is subject to penalties as provided in s. 379.401.