Unwarranted Cost Increase at Florida Springs

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Originally Posted by KarsticGator

I talked with a couple of people with DEP in Tallahassee, and I actually support their cause. They are trying to remain a viable division of government. In order for them do to so, they need more revenue. I think they have analyzed several sources where additional revenues can be extracted, and divers are one of those sources.

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A few points.

Government employees should not have a "cause". They supposedly work for us, which should be their sole focus. If we have a "cause", that should be their direction.
I don't think we need to help government remain "viable". Lord knows they are way more "viable" then millions of unemployed citizens. And far less productive.
They absolutely don't need more revenue. The definition of government revenue is "steal from taxpayers that put up with it so we can keep our outrageous salaries, benefits, and pensions while figuring out ways we can get more revenue". They named it revenue because it's much easier to type. And yes, the definition is recursive. Like government pay and benefit increases.

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Originally Posted by sskasser

Hot off the press, J

The Florida State Parks Fee Schedule and the Florida Park Service Operations Manual are currently being amended to reflect the changes below which are effective immediately.

Fee Changes

The Springs Diving fee ($15.00) and all of the Equestrian fees will be eliminated from the Florida State Parks Fee Schedule. As a result, Spring Diving and Equestrian visitors will now be admitted by paying the daily park admission fee, or admitted free of charge by showing their Annual Entrance Pass. This change does not affect the Annual Springs-Diving Instructor Pass ($200.00) or the Annual Open-Water Diving Instructor Pass ($150.00).

Fee Language Clarification

The Annual Springs-Diving Instructor Pass is good for all parks where springs-diving is permitted; the Annual Open-Water Diving Instructor Pass is good for all parks were open-water diving is permitted.

Information provided by the Florida State Parks DEP to the North Florida Springs Alliance

Shirley Kasser
Vice President
North Florida Springs Alliance

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THANK YOU for the post!!

Awesome!!

Dive safe,

Celia (you know, your friendly neighborhood Queen of Diamonds...)

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Originally Posted by ScubaGypsy

It seems that open water shore diving sites such as St. Andrews in Panama City Beach and Bahia Honda in the Florida Keys have higher costs in support of diving.

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I don't understand what you're saying here. I go to St. Andrews just about every other weekend from May to September, and I can't see where they spend a penny "on diving."

Interesting side note regarding the Secretary of DEP, from "http://www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/about/secretary.htm"

"Secretary Sole was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Marine Biology from the Florida Institute of Technology. Secretary Sole, wife Jeannie and daughter Samantha are all native Floridians and enjoy scuba diving and visiting any one of Florida’s 160 state parks during family outings and vacations."

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

I don't understand what you're saying here. I go to St. Andrews just about every other weekend from May to September, and I can't see where they spend a penny "on diving."

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Are the outdoor showers, restrooms, paved parking and covered picnic areas not in use and maintained anymore? At one time they offered air fills as well but when I was last there in January they were closed.

As a side note, I'm curious if you have dove there since the tarballs arrived (and were later cleaned up?) and the present condition?

The showers, restrooms, pavilions, and all are pretty much used mainly by non-divers.

I've been there (just about) every other weekend since April and haven't seen the first sign of oil.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sskasser

Hot off the press, J

The Florida State Parks Fee Schedule and the Florida Park Service Operations Manual are currently being amended to reflect the changes below which are effective immediately.

Fee Changes

The Springs Diving fee ($15.00) and all of the Equestrian fees will be eliminated from the Florida State Parks Fee Schedule. As a result, Spring Diving and Equestrian visitors will now be admitted by paying the daily park admission fee, or admitted free of charge by showing their Annual Entrance Pass. This change does not affect the Annual Springs-Diving Instructor Pass ($200.00) or the Annual Open-Water Diving Instructor Pass ($150.00).

Fee Language Clarification

The Annual Springs-Diving Instructor Pass is good for all parks where springs-diving is permitted; the Annual Open-Water Diving Instructor Pass is good for all parks were open-water diving is permitted.

Information provided by the Florida State Parks DEP to the North Florida Springs Alliance

Shirley Kasser
Vice President
North Florida Springs Alliance

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Thanks, Shirley!!!

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

The showers, restrooms, pavilions, and all are pretty much used mainly by non-divers.

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I understand that the St Andrews SP facilities are used by all which is also true at FL State Parks with springs as they often include steps, platforms, unpaved roads, porta potties. Nondivers also use these facilities as there are often nondivers swimming at the springs (at least in Orange Grove at Peacock). So my confusion is why are the divers at the springs being singled out for additional costs when there are also many divers at shore sites such as St. Andrews? Might one also make the case that fishermen at many of the FL State Parks require additional operating costs due to additional trash and increased traffic?

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

I've been there (just about) every other weekend since April and haven't seen the first sign of oil.

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This is good to hear as reports and pictures have been concerning. It appears that folks have been proactive in cleaning the beach so I'm curious whether the underwater sections along the jetty are oil free as well.

ScubaGypsy, I understand what you're driving at. My estimation is that 95% of those using the amenities at Peacock are cave divers, but 95% using the amenities at St. Andrews are non-divers.

I had heard of the tar balls appearing the weekend of the 19th, but we were there the following weekend, making two dives each on Saturday and Sunday, and didn't see a single hint of them.

My contact at the State Parks Department called me again today. They have eliminated the daily use fee for diving for the time being. Great news!