Long Key State Park, Florida Keys: Todays find

[G.I.B.]

Long Key State Park, Florida Keys: Today's find

So here I sit, enjoying a little slice of paradise. Beautiful weather, nice beach. Were staying at the state park as park of my Florida Keys winter celebration tour.

I check with the front office and inquire about MDing in the park, expecting the standard, 'no evil detectors allowed' answer. I was pleased to hear that it's okay to swing here, just fill and stomp down your holes. You must stay between the toe of the dune and the high water mark (in compliance with the state of Florida laws).

I head down the beach and start my clad count, along with one rusty nail. I'm swinging for less than 5 minutes when a different guy with a state park hat tells me I have to be IN the water. I can only detect from the high water line and out to sea. Not on the dry sand. (back a$$words from the law)

I chat with the fellow a few and he agrees to call the park manager. She advises that metal detecting at this state park is only allowed between the present high water line and somewhere out to sea. She adds about turning in artifacts and such... gotta stay off the beach and stay in the surf!

So, I'm puttin on my scuba gear and getting wet tomorrow.

Here is a question.


Do the lease areas for treasure hunters in the water extend into the state parks waters?

 

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[Murph]

Re: Long Key State Park, Florida Keys: Today's find

Your in a state park and generally MDing is not allowed so consider yourself lucky. You should be in driving distance of public beach or a public access where you should be able to hunt from dune to water.

 

[G.I.B.]

Re: Long Key State Park, Florida Keys: Today's find

I don't consider myself lucky that I almost get to use MY state park. I consider myself fortunate that someone almost understands the laws that works for the park system. Here is the actual rule... I got it from the guy on listed at the bottom. I have the actual law too...




Regards,

Metal detecting is prohibited in the Florida State Parks except for the coastal parks. At the coastal parks, metal detecting is permitted in the beach areas between the tide line and the toe of the dune. This however, is up to the park manager’s discretion so it is recommended to contact any parks of interest prior to arrival for metal detecting. I have provided an excerpt from our operations manual describing this matter. Egmont Key may be an archaeological site within the zone designated by DHR or the Park Manager. Thank you for your interest.

7) Use of Metal Detectors

a) Use of metal detectors, magnetometers or other metal detecting devices is prohibited on all state park lands, including sovereign submerged lands under lease by state parks, except for the following:

(1) Coastal parks, in a zone between the waterline and toe of the dune, as determined by the Park Manager, except at archaeological sites within the zone designated by DHR or the Park Manager.

(2) Archaeological research projects authorized by DHR.

(3) As provided for in Chapter 4, section 28, for the recovery of lost personal items.

b) Any dug hole associated with the use of a metal detector must be refilled to the contour of pre-dig conditions using the excavated material.

c) Any excavations within designated archaeological sites require permits from DHR and Bureau of Natural and Cultural Resources. Objects found or recovered under the terms of a permit issued by DHR are property of the State of Florida, with title vested by statute in DHR. Such objects are normally curated by DHR and can be made available by loan to the Division upon request.

Colin M. Dooley
Information Specialist
Florida Division of Recreation & Parks
Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Blvd. MS535
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000

 

[paddy.mick]

Re: Long Key State Park, Florida Keys: Today's find

You should forward that to the park managers as it is rather ridiculous that they do not understand their own state's laws.
Paddy

 

[G.I.B.]

Re: Long Key State Park, Florida Keys: Today's find

I stood on the beach yesterday with the park manager for Long Key state park. I was holding the rule in my hand, and gave her a copy.

She read the copy.

I explained it twice.

I discussed about how the zone designated is a dynamic area, the sand changes, and there is no environmental impact by digging, and refilling, holes on the beach. I also explained how the detectorist actually cleans her beach for free by picking up all the junk along the way...

She is sticking by her guns and directing me to dig up and hunt below the high water mark into the surf.

Although I would like to hunt this area, it's covered in sea grass and is an ecosystem for the local sea life. You can walk out 500' and still only be knee deep. The boat in the photo is high and dry during low tide. Lot's of sea life here, and I'm not digging it up for a couple of bottle caps.

Oh well.

Here was this mornings sunrise...

 

[trashdude]

Re: Long Key State Park, Florida Keys: Today's find

Classic example of park rangers not knowing or understanding state laws. Applying their "Do as I say" attitude. I don't even ask to hunt these locations out of pure frustration. I would rather spend my valuable time hunting known safe areas. Anyway, count yourself as being fortunate to even get out there w/ a detector. Good hunting.

 

[kydave]

Re: Long Key State Park, Florida Keys: Today's find

Yep i stayed there last winter for a couple of weeks. I didn't see any beautiful beaches or any great spots to detect so i didn't even bother to get mine out of the camper! Just walked the dog up and down the road enjoying the 80 degree weather and reading all the rules that i better not break like "No Dogs on that pitiful muddy beach where the water and the beach was covered with Man of War! It's all about gettin your money at the Keys, nothin else! The seafood is good at Islamorada but it ain't cheap either. $2.89 plus tax for a loaf of bread at the 1 grocery store i found. $6.oo for 4 tomatoes about the size of an egg. So you better stop on the way in. I don't care if i ever go back. I'll take Sebastian Inlet anytime!