Unwarranted Cost Increase at Florida Springs

[fghray1]

Here is what it states that is covered.

ABOUT ANNUAL PASSES RETURN TO TOP


Annual Entrance Passes allow park entrance in lieu of the daily entrance fee.
Annual Entrance Passes are honored at all state parks, except for Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, where they are valid for a 33 percent discount.
The Family Annual Entrance Pass is valid for up to eight people in a group, except at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park where the family pass is good for admission of up to two people. Additional guests to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park may wish to purchase additional passes or pay the daily admission fees.
Does not waive other special use fees charged at some parks for special events, camping or activities such as boat tours, tubing, fishing piers, gardens admission, use of Buccaneer Bay at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, etc.
Additional local fees may apply (example: Monroe County Surcharge).
Access to Buccaneer Bay at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park requires a per person day use fee. Current Annual Entrance Pass holders may purchase a Buccaneer Bay Annual Entrance Pass Endorsement for $15.00 per person, which expires when the Annual Entrance Pass expires. An Individual Annual Entrance Pass may have one endorsement per pass and a Family Annual Entrance Pass may have up to two Buccaneer Bay endorsements per pass.
An Annual Entrance Pass is valid for one year from the month of purchase.

[JahJahwarrior]

I think James' letter is probably the best I've seen yet. What if we got him to edit it a little so it would work for a group letter, like a petition, but less formal. We could ask dive shops to print one out, and let every customer sign it, then have someone deliver them to Mr. Sole in Tallahassee?

[Line Squirrel]

I think James' letter is probably the best I've seen yet. What if we got him to edit it a little so it would work for a group letter, like a petition, but less formal. We could ask dive shops to print one out, and let every customer sign it, then have someone deliver them to Mr. Sole in Tallahassee?

AGREED!! Well done James Garrett!!!

I would however discourage ONLY a group letter or petition. I think it would show more passion if each of us sent in separate letters in addition to a group type letter or petition to show unity.

[JahJahwarrior]

I most certainly agree Mike! I think we all need to email, and perhaps call, and if possible, mail in letters. However, there are those who won't, or don't even hear about this as they do not read internet forums. However, many of these people would sign their name and perhaps write some other identifying thing on the letter to let the State know they are upset. Perhaps a more formal petition, with this as a cover letter, would be more appropriate? I don't know.

I don't want to step on the toes of the State, but I also don't think that we should stand idly by as they raise the rates. I want to protest in the most civil and effective way possible.

[TONY CHANEY]

Great work James...you nailed it. All that I could add is to stress the vast amount of income that those of us outside Fl. bring in.

[jj1987]

Great work James...you nailed it. All that I could add is to stress the vast amount of income that those of us outside Fl. bring in.

No doubt. You guys have to pay for hotel rooms, you eat out almost every night, you often pay to store gear here, you're buying gear in FL rather than where you live often times, hiring guides, etc.

You guys from other states really should post trip expenditures, it would be helpful for those of us who are in state and might miss some when we write our letters.

[Line Squirrel]

Someone should talk with Bill Rennaker (Cave Excursions West) about a study he did a couple years ago about expenditures. This was not all that long ago, y'all remember when the Peacock road fiasco was going on? They closed the park for awhile.

I will not hazard to guess what the numbers were but I had a very VERY interesting conversation with Bill regarding his numbers/dollars injected into the local economy, from park fees, dollars spent on dive gear, gasoline/diesel fuel for transport vehicles, accommodations, restaurants and groceries bought from the local grocer, you get the idea. The number was a much larger number than I would have guessed...get with Bill.

[amphipod06]

We should listen to this! If Manatee honors current passes, than maybe Peacock, and Madison will. They might not, if we make too much of a stink.

Mine will expire in September, what happens after that?

Like I said, for the last 10 years it has been great and we have been strong supporters of the annual pass for all. Most of our out of state cave diving friends have purchased an annual pass based on our advise.... Should we contact them all and tell them to demand a refund?

Who exactly made the "discovery" regarding the annual pass not covering the diving fees?

It would be interesting to know.

Dive safe,

Celia...getting ready to spam the government oxygen thieves....

[john]

Apparently Troy Springs already is enforcing it.

When we were a Cathys on Friday Ron said Cathy was told she had to pay the 15 dollar fee.

[jj1987]

Apparently Troy Springs already is enforcing it.

When we were a Cathys on Friday Ron said Cathy was told she had to pay the 15 dollar fee.

Troy springs is weird with their rules. I've been there once semi-recently and they wouldn't let my girlfriend and I go monkey diving. A few months earlier, they did. Rules seem to be misunderstood by much of that park staff.