Florida State Parks Urban Legend - Debunked
After reading several posters give the advice that using a tote for hauling black water was illeagal in Florida's state parks, I decided to ask the source. Below is my email to the Florida Park Servi...
Forum Discussion
As promised, I replied to the park service asking specifically about St Andrews state park in Panama CityBeach:
My Reply
Hi Julie,
Thank you for the quick response. I have been told that St Andrews state park in Panama City Beach has signs posted stating that this is not allowed. Are some state parks under local ordnance's that may prohibit it regardless of your research? Is it possible for you to verify this? I'd like to plan a trip there in the future, but dragging my travel trailer to the dump station would be a deal breaker for me. Thank you for your assistance!
Park Service Response
Thank you for your patience as I have looked into this matter regarding St. Andrews state park. I have just heard back from the Park Manager, Mr. Brian Addison, regarding your question:
I have researched the Florida Park Service Operations Manual, Florida Administrative Code Chapt. 62D-2, and rules for camping in the state park but there is nothing specific about holding tanks. As long as it is self contained and designed to hold grey or waste water, have a spill proof cap, and can safely transported to and from our dump stations; it should be good to go. I did look at some of the products that Blue Boy produces for holding tanks and they seem legitimate since the RV and camping stores are selling the product for that specific use.
So the official word from St. Andrews is that you can use such conveyances for your waste material, so long as you are indeed using something intended for that purpose. Please let me know if I can provide any further information or assistance regarding this matter.
I hope we can expect you as a guest in the Florida state parks soon!
Julie R. Kurisko
Florida Park Service / Information Specialist
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3800 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 535
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 245-2157
Email: Julie.Kurisko@dep.state.fl.us
While I do believe FLA Gypsy saw a sign, perhaps the park manager - Mr. Brian Addison was unaware of the official rules regarding this, or one of his employees was as he says he actually researched the rules on this. I think that if a state park in Florida is displaying a sign to the contrary, that they could be challenged on that rule based on the information I have obtained from a higher authority - plus, who wants to pull their TT to the dump station to drain tanks on extended stays? Happy dumping - I mean camping in FLA! :p
My Reply
Hi Julie,
Thank you for the quick response. I have been told that St Andrews state park in Panama City Beach has signs posted stating that this is not allowed. Are some state parks under local ordnance's that may prohibit it regardless of your research? Is it possible for you to verify this? I'd like to plan a trip there in the future, but dragging my travel trailer to the dump station would be a deal breaker for me. Thank you for your assistance!
Park Service Response
Thank you for your patience as I have looked into this matter regarding St. Andrews state park. I have just heard back from the Park Manager, Mr. Brian Addison, regarding your question:
I have researched the Florida Park Service Operations Manual, Florida Administrative Code Chapt. 62D-2, and rules for camping in the state park but there is nothing specific about holding tanks. As long as it is self contained and designed to hold grey or waste water, have a spill proof cap, and can safely transported to and from our dump stations; it should be good to go. I did look at some of the products that Blue Boy produces for holding tanks and they seem legitimate since the RV and camping stores are selling the product for that specific use.
So the official word from St. Andrews is that you can use such conveyances for your waste material, so long as you are indeed using something intended for that purpose. Please let me know if I can provide any further information or assistance regarding this matter.
I hope we can expect you as a guest in the Florida state parks soon!
Julie R. Kurisko
Florida Park Service / Information Specialist
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3800 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 535
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 245-2157
Email: Julie.Kurisko@dep.state.fl.us
While I do believe FLA Gypsy saw a sign, perhaps the park manager - Mr. Brian Addison was unaware of the official rules regarding this, or one of his employees was as he says he actually researched the rules on this. I think that if a state park in Florida is displaying a sign to the contrary, that they could be challenged on that rule based on the information I have obtained from a higher authority - plus, who wants to pull their TT to the dump station to drain tanks on extended stays? Happy dumping - I mean camping in FLA! :p
