Dept. of Environmental Protection increasing some state park fees

From the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

In order to continue its tradition of award-winning visitor experiences and affordable nature-based recreation, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) state park system will implement changes to its fee schedule for camping/cabin reservations and related utility fees beginning Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

Currently, fees are collected for making, changing, and canceling reservations. There will be no change in these fees under the new fee schedule, and they will continue to be collected at the time reservations are made, changed, or canceled. Utility fees, which are currently collected from day campers using park utilities, will be extended to cabin stays and overnight campsites using electric and water. The fee will be assessed daily.

The Florida Park Service has not increased any fees since 2009. Subsequent increases in utility fees are proportionate with increasing costs of electric power, water, sewer, and utility maintenance. The increase in revenue will enable Florida’s award-winning state parks to continue providing high-quality recreation in an unmatched natural setting.

Entry fees for Florida’s state parks and trails will remain unchanged.

The new fee schedule is as follows:

Park fees are deposited into the State Park Trust Fund and appropriated annually to support park operations and maintenance. Utility fees help cover increased utility costs, repairs, and improvements. Improvements include repairing or upgrading electric connections and improving and operating wastewater and water systems, including connection to municipal water and wastewater systems.

“Utility payments and improvements are a large and growing cost of park operations,” said Eric Draper, director of the Division of Recreation and Parks. “We are proud of continuing improvements to campgrounds and cabins to make overnight stays comfortable by providing safe and reliable electric, sewer, and water service.”

Under Rule 62D-2.014(2)(d), Florida Administrative Code, user fees become effective after they are advertised in a statewide news release, and, if requested, are reviewed at a public hearing and approved in writing by the Secretary of the department. Copies of the current fee schedule may be obtained from state park offices or by writing to the Division of Recreation and Parks, MS #500, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000. The current fee schedule and additional fee information can be found at FloridaStateParks.org/fees.

If requested, a public hearing on the proposed fee schedule will be held via electronic teleconference on April 30, 2021, at 10 a.m. Interested parties who wish to receive a copy of the proposed fee schedule, request a public hearing, or participate in the electronic teleconference should contact Bryan Bradner, Assistant Director, Florida State Parks, at 850-245-3046 or Bryan.Bradner@FloridaDEP.gov.

For more details on prices for individual state parks or general information about the Florida state park system, visit FloridaStateParks.org.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention, and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails, and aquatic preserves. Visit the department’s website at FloridaDEP.gov.