Eagles Nest Permit

[tflaris]

https://www.wtsp.com/mobile/article/...r/67-576430185


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sly-vester]

This is old news
http://www.cavediver.net/forum/showt...at-Eagles-Nest

[oceancurrent]

Has it come into effect yet? It is another hoop we all must jump to be legal at EN, but on the bright side:

1. The willingness of the state to put in place such a system hopefully means that they are committed to keeping EN open to qualified divers.
2. Will provide a means for the park to collect statistics about how many divers visit the site without incident

Also, what would be the registration procedure for trimix/adv.trimix students visiting EN as part of a class (assuming they have no issue with producing full cave certifications)?

[Sly-vester]

Has it come into effect yet? It is another hoop we all must jump to be legal at EN, but on the bright side:

1. The willingness of the state to put in place such a system hopefully means that they are committed to keeping EN open to qualified divers.
2. Will provide a means for the park to collect statistics about how many divers visit the site without incident

Also, what would be the registration procedure for trimix/adv.trimix students visiting EN as part of a class (assuming they have no issue with producing full cave certifications)?

Oceancurrent,
No it has not, probably end of summer early fall. We are very lucky the head of the FWC for this part of the state is diver and trimix instructor, he gets it. He is under a lot pressure from above in Tallahassee to shut down the site. This is the result of the FWC and the shareholders(cave divers) working together to keep the site open. I don't want additional hoops either but it's better than sneak diving. You go online do a self-attest you have the recommended certs and pay for an annual pass, that means you don't have to pay the daily use at the iron ranger. The pass and c-card are placed on the dash just like state parks do. This gives the FWC some leg to keep open water divers out and keep the site open. Just FYI any for-profit activities on FWC property require a vendors permit(always has). They are not looking really hard but classes taught there would qualify as for-profit activities. With the level of bureaucracy there very little chance of getting a vendors permit for cave diving instruction.

[oceancurrent]

Thank you for the clarification.


One additional question: How much is the annual pass vs the daily use fee? Would there be an option to attest at the web site and purchase daily pass from the iron ranger in lieu of annual pass (say, a cave diving tourist who is there for a single dive and not likely to come back any time soon)?


Also, does the new system mean that OW divers, freedivers, etc will be once and for all banned from this site?

[GDI]

Thank you for the clarification.


One additional question: How much is the annual pass vs the daily use fee? Would there be an option to attest at the web site and purchase daily pass from the iron ranger in lieu of annual pass (say, a cave diving tourist who is there for a single dive and not likely to come back any time soon)?


Also, does the new system mean that OW divers, freedivers, etc will be once and for all banned from this site?

Oceancurrent

Sly-Vester provided you with some good answers, things to consider moving forward. The cave community is monitoring the situation as are all the agencies and key players. I can tell you there are more than just the cave community monitoring the EN situation and the potential impact the recent events may play which has sparked concern. As expected an attempt to close EN following the recent tragedy is rearing its head. As I live not to far from EN I have been bombarded with questions about it remaining open. I can assure you that the entire cave diving community is working together with the state to ensure EN does remain a available dive site.

Your questions re annual passes vs daily, international users vs regional/local has been asked. Cave Instructors looking to gain access for purpose of a suitable site for cave trimix classes, will their state commercial passes be suitable or will they need a different type of permitting strictly for EN or will |En be closed to any form of cave diving instruction? These points are still being worked out. In a recent email I have asked the state representative for clarification and an idea of where we are in the permitting process.

As for the OW and free divers one can argue that they have equal right of access to state lands. OW divers should know to observe their limitations, as for free divers I cannot comment at this time but my personal opinion is that A reasonable person would not free dive EN and I believe that state should restrict this type of access. I would not classify it a safe dive site for OW divers either, but that is my personal opinion. The state, we must appreciate has to consider the general population however restrictions for access and permitting may still be applied.

Please continue to ask questions I promise to continue to work as part of the greater cave diving community to keep En open for cave diving.

[Kelly Jessop]

As for the OW and free divers one can argue that they have equal right of access to state lands..... The state, we must appreciate has to consider the general population however restrictions for access and permitting may still be applied.

.

The state has shown the ability to restrict users. For example don't see motorcycles on equestrian trails and don't see people fishing on the P1 steps. I think most would agree EN is not a site for OW or free divers.

[Superlyte27]

Last time we were at p1 there were two guys catching fish.

[Kelly Jessop]

Last time we were at p1 there were two guys catching fish.

Wildlife did raise the limit on cave divers to 2 per day.

If you search Youtube, you will find the video of the guys in open water gear fishing at Orange Grove underwater.

All this is great until a hook snags a 2k dry suit

[Superlyte27]

All this is great until a hook snags a 2k dry suit

That's exactly the comment I made to the guy, "Dude, that fish hook catches a diver, and it's going to get ugly."