Florida State Parks Urban Legend - Debunked

fla-gypsy wrote:
Nice thorough job of research and follow up. I think the management posted the sign for their convenience but you have proven that no such official prohibition exists.

Hopefully when the theory is tested, the sign is still standing and we get to see what really happens.

edatlanta wrote:
Another issue with site maintenance at St. Andrews is what can be used for fill material. The park service at St. Andrews is prohibited from using any material other than a specific mixture of sand and crushed oyster shells. This is an environmental regulation. They have to buy this material and that is the problem. The park manager would love to fill many sites in this park, but he can not get the money from the park service.

I definitely agree the park service upper management seems to have their priorities a bit off, but then I'm not not privy to all of the issues they have to consider.

When we were there in July, they were using standard lime rock to fill the same pot holes that have been there for over 6 years. St Andrews Park Management is a disgrace to the Florida Park System.

2012Coleman wrote:
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

Nice thorough job of research and follow up. I think the management posted the sign for their convenience but you have proven that no such official prohibition exists.

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

Another issue with site maintenance at St. Andrews is what can be used for fill material. The park service at St. Andrews is prohibited from using any material other than a specific mixture of sand and crushed oyster shells. This is an environmental regulation. They have to buy this material and that is the problem. The park manager would love to fill many sites in this park, but he can not get the money from the park service.

I definitely agree the park service upper management seems to have their priorities a bit off, but then I'm not not privy to all of the issues they have to consider.

doxiemom11 wrote:
I wonder what you ARE supposed to do with your tank waste?

Take your camper to the dump station and dump it there. That is, if you are not allowed to use a portable waste tote to move black waste. We never used ours for black water. Only gray water. I don't care too much for dumping the black tank once as it is. To dump it twice (once in protable and then again in dump station), is not my cup of tea. Just opens up the chance of something happening. At least your odds are greater....lol

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

RVUSA wrote:

Lantley wrote:
It's not radioactive.

It would be in pennekamp. Zero peculation, and environmentalists as far as the eye can see. :B

"RVUSA" - "Zero peculation"

Peculation defined:
The act of illegally taking money, especially public money, that you are responsible for managing. Embezzlement.

Glad to hear there's no crooks ("Zero peculation") in "pennekamp"..:C

~



BTW "Lantley" - correct.
A sewage spill is *not* radioactive.

However, it *is* a *Bio-Hazard*.
Mitigation by different means - but, prior to determination of the nature of the incident by first-responders.......
response to either may be the same depending on jurisdiction.

~

I saw the spelling mistake but hoped there wouldnt be anyone so incensed as to force the correction. I was wrong LOL
percolation. there is no percolation. jeez. LOL

As for the other, I dare you to spill your black tank in fromt of one of the enviro-nazi's that invariably appear by the dozens when an accident occurs. You will quickly understand the SARCASM intended by me post. They will nail you to the yard and and then keel haul you by rolling the boat over.

In otherwords lighten up Francis. :B

I wonder what you ARE supposed to do with your tank waste?

2012coleman, thanks for taking the time and posting your email response. I also saw the post on transporting black water in totes being illegal in Florida and was wondering about it.

RVUSA wrote:

Lantley wrote:
It's not radioactive.

It would be in pennekamp. Zero peculation, and environmentalists as far as the eye can see. :B

"RVUSA" - "Zero peculation"

Peculation defined:
The act of illegally taking money, especially public money, that you are responsible for managing. Embezzlement.

Glad to hear there's no crooks ("Zero peculation") in "pennekamp"..:C

~



BTW "Lantley" - correct.
A sewage spill is *not* radioactive.

However, it *is* a *Bio-Hazard*.
Mitigation by different means - but, prior to determination of the nature of the incident by first-responders.......
response to either may be the same depending on jurisdiction.

~