38-458: The Oleta River State Park is a 1,033-acre (418 ha) state park on Biscayne Bay in the municipal suburb of North Miami Beach in metropolitan Miami , Florida . Adjoining the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University , the park contains one of the largest concentrations of Casuarina trees (Australian 'pine'), an invasive species in the state park system. Along
76-508: A much smaller extent charitable contributions. Many state parks have an associated local non-profit corporation. Most parks charge an entrance fee. Residents can purchase an annual entrance pass that is valid at any of the parks. Camping is available in campsites in some of the parks. All reservations for park facilities are handled through the private corporation ReserveAmerica . The Florida State Parks website (floridastateparks.org) provides an updated online guide to all parks. On 19 August 2024
114-677: A presidential order had instructed 7 states with reefs to develop roadmaps of conservation. During the period from 2000 to 2005, the department functioned with a staff of about 3,600 employees and its annual budget averaged $ 1.9 billion ($ 1,899,731,705). In 2011, DEP suspended its wetlands director "after she refused to approve a permit to a failed effort to sell off surplus park land" and Everglades scientists. Leading positions have been filled by prior consultants for developers and polluting industries in revolving door (politics) . The regulatory climate has changed from "prosecuting violations to helping industry avoid fines". Until July 1, 2012,
152-478: A sense of place by showing park visitors the best of Florida's diverse natural and cultural sites. Florida's state parks are managed and preserved for enjoyment by this and future generations through providing appropriate resource-based recreational opportunities, interpretation and education that help visitors connect to the Real Florida." Several state parks were formerly private tourist attractions purchased by
190-788: A team of interagency marine resource professionals of all levels of US government, of scientists and other stakeholders. From May to November 2003, the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative Team (SEFCRI Team) developed a local action strategy. In 2009, the FDEP's Coral Reef Conservation Program prepared a climate change action plan for the Florida Reef System 2010–2015, which was in sync with the federal NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Goals & Objectives 2010-2015. After Governor Scott took office in 2011, DEP employees were informed by regional administrators not to use
228-546: Is 155 positions less than the prior year. As of 2006, the department divided itself into the following 13 offices based on function, all operating primarily out of Tallahassee: Administrative Services, Air resource management, Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, General counsel , Greenways and Trails, Law Enforcement, Office of the Secretary, Parks and Recreation, Resource Assessment Management, Siting, State Lands, Waste management , Water resource management . The FDEP divides
266-631: Is a fishing pier and one is a recreation area. Seven parks are mostly undeveloped with few or no facilities; 10 parks are accessible only by private boat or ferry; and 13 parks contain National Natural Landmarks . Additionally, there are eleven national parks and service sites in Florida locations under control of the National Park Service . Florida State Parks are supported by tax dollars (document stamps), user fees, and to
304-555: Is named. The river has drawn human inhabitants to the area since about 500 B.C, when its shores served as a campground for Tequesta Indians . It was used by U.S. troops (who called it Big Snake Creek) in 1841 during the Second Seminole War , and further explored in 1881 by Naval Captain William Hawkins Fulford, whose ventured inland to what is now the city of North Miami Beach . The area became more heavily settled in
342-627: Is the Florida government agency responsible for environmental protection . By the mid-1960s, when the federal government was becoming increasingly involved in initiatives designed to protect the country's environmental interests, Florida had four agencies involved with environmental protection : the Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (state land, including shores, beaches, wetlands, and bodies of water),
380-633: Is the division of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection responsible for the operation of Florida State Parks , and won the Gold Medal honoring the best state park system in the country in 1999 and 2005 from the National Recreation and Park Association . They were also finalists in the 1997 and 2011 competitions. The Park Service was awarded the gold medal again in October 2013, making it
418-516: The Department of Health (sewage treatment, drinking water quality), Florida Department of Natural Resources (state parks and recreation areas), and Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (hunting and fishing). In the late 1960s, the Florida Department of Air and Water Pollution Control was created under Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. Most staff were being taken from the Bureau of Sanitary Engineering of
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#1732852639489456-405: The state legislature to increase conservation land, said: "Our vision did not contemplate the addition of golf courses and hotels, which in my view are not in-line with the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of nature. From what I know at this time, the proposal should not move forward in its current form." Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, said that he had learned from media reports about
494-594: The 1890s and in 1922, developers changed the name from Big Snake Creek to the Oleta River. The river itself no longer flows to the Everglades , but remains a popular area for canoeing. The park also boasts some of the best wilderness bike trails in the country and is a frequent host for triathlons and other extreme sports events. There is a beach on Biscayne Bay, kayak rentals, and primitive cabins. A Florida State Parks Annual Pass allows unlimited entrance into any of
532-861: The Bureau of Park Police, was merged into the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the sworn officers, as well as reserve officers and support staff, were transferred to FWC. The Bureau of Emergency Response was not part of the merger and remained with DEP as the Office of Emergency Response. As part of the Great Outdoors Initiative program, FDEP in August ;2024 proposed several changes impacting nine state parks: Anastasia , Camp Helen , Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson , Grayton Beach , Jonathan Dickinson , Hillsborough River , Honeymoon Island , Oleta River , and Topsail Hill Preserve . Among
570-520: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) had a law enforcement contingent, referred to as the Division of Law Enforcement (DLE), which included sworn state law enforcement officers and special agents as well as emergency responders to hazardous materials incidents. The patrol bureau was divided into 4 districts: NE, NW, SE & SW. The approximately 90 sworn state officers assigned to
608-466: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced plans to build golf courses and 350-room lodges on state park lands. In statements to the Tampa Bay Times and in posts to social media, the agency claimed that the construction of a golf course on vulnerable scrub habitat will be done in a way to "minimize habitat impacts". A spokesperson for Governor Ron DeSantis, Jeremy Redfern, defended
646-487: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection would purchase 20,000 acres of Everglades wetlands, ultimately with the intent of preventing oil drilling on that land. A 1998 presidential executive order created the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. In 2002, Florida determined how to implement this at the state and county levels. After a meeting in 2002, the FDEP and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission formed
684-546: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas building in Tallahassee, Florida . Officers of the patrol bureau were fully constituted law enforcement officers of the state and possessed statewide authority. Although dedicated primarily to the protection and conservation of state lands, parks, properties and bodies of water, officers took law enforcement action statewide. On July 1, 2012, the Bureau, which by that time had been renamed
722-623: The area has the lowest average temperature in January, being at 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest average temperature is in July and August, being at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The lowest average rainfall is in January, with about 1.95 inches of rainfall. The highest average rainfall is in September, with about 9.21 inches of rainfall. The central feature of this park is the mouth of the Oleta River , for which it
760-531: The construction of disc golf courses, pickleball courts, and cabins. Three of the affected parks are in the Panhandle district in Panama City represented by state senator Jay Trumbull (R). He wrote on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that he remains in "strong opposition" and exhorted other lawmakers in the legislature to follow suit. Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, who has lobbied in
798-476: The director of Florida's state parks between 2017 and 2021, stated that it appeared that the agency sidestepped the legal process. The Times also noted that Albert Gregory, the former state chief of park planning, said the state was "hop-scotching some important steps". Note: The table of contents only applies when the list is sorted by park name. Florida Department of Environmental Protection The Florida Department of Environmental Protection ( FDEP )
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#1732852639489836-508: The governor and the accelerated process driving state plans to develop golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park . The park, on the Atlantic coast of Florida, contains the largest area of protected scrub jay habitat in southeast Florida. An unusual bipartisan showing of elected officials in the state Legislature, Cabinet and the US Congress expressed opposition to the plans, which include
874-523: The only three-time winner. In 2019, they received the gold medal award again, resulting in them being the first four-time winner. The parks are open year-round and offer diverse activities beyond fishing, hiking and camping. Many parks offer facilities for birding or horseback riding; there are several battle reenactments; and freshwater springs and beaches are Florida's gems. According to the Florida Park Service website, their goal "is to help create
912-472: The park's coastline are mangrove forests . They provide vital nurseries for aquatic life and filter urban pollutants from coastal waters. The state park promotes biodiversity of flora and fauna through the assistance of Friends of Oleta River State Park . The 501(c)(3) nonprofit citizen support organization (CSO); sponsors events, raises funds, and advances the goals of Oleta River State Park. The state park hosts about 15 endangered species. The weather in
950-450: The patrol bureau patrolled primarily state parks, state lands, state trails, wildlife management areas (WMAs), rivers, coastline and both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Officers utilized traditional patrol cars, 4x4 sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, ATVs, boats, airboats, personal watercraft (PWC's), dirt-bikes, and bicycles. The headquarters occupied the fifth floor of the DEP main offices in
988-655: The plans, saying "it's high time we made public lands more accessible to the public." DeSantis, an enthusiastic golfer, controls the Department of Environmental Protection, and has increased his influence over the agency in comparison to former governors. In an unprecedented move that critics said violated state law, he unilaterally appointed its secretary without approval by other members of the Florida Cabinet. The Tampa Bay Times also reported that US Senators Rick Scott (R) and Marco Rubio (R) joined local officials in criticizing
1026-472: The proposed additions to state parks include cabins, hotels, golf courses, and pickleball courts. However, these plans generated significant controversy due to their potential environmental impacts, including opposition from U.S. senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott ; congressional representatives Kathy Castor , Matt Gaetz , Brian Mast , and Darren Soto ; Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo ; and many local officials. In its responsibilities for
1064-453: The state Department of Health . The name of the new agency was simplified to the Florida Department of Pollution Control . In the mid-1970s, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER) was created from the Department of Pollution Control and portions of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and the Florida Department of Natural Resources. This revised agency
1102-519: The state of Florida to preserve their natural environment. These parks include the Silver Springs State Park , Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park , Rainbow Springs State Park , and Weeki Wachee Springs . There are state parks in 58 of Florida's 67 counties . Nine of the 175 parks do not have "State Park" in their name. Four are " conservation areas " (reserve, preserve, or wildlife refuge); three are "Historical/Archaeological sites"; one
1140-441: The state park development plan, and that he has "serious concerns". He issued a statement saying, "(We) have to be really careful when we talk about building infrastructure on state parks. Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should." Environmental groups and former park officials agreed that the agency was trying to limit the public comment-gathering process. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Eric Draper, who served as
1178-563: The state park. The nearest wastewater treatment plant is the North District Wastewater Treatment Plant, which handles their wastewater and others nearby. Florida State Park system [REDACTED] There are 175 state parks and 9 state trails in the U.S. state of Florida which encompass more than 800,000 acres (320,000 ha), providing recreational opportunities for both residents and tourists. Almost half of
Oleta River State Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
1216-623: The state parks have an associated local 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, often styled, "Friends of { park name } State Park, Inc.". In 2015, some 29,356 volunteers donated nearly 1.3 million hours to enhance the parks for approximately 31 million visitors. There is a mostly nominal admission to nearly all Florida's state parks, although separate fees are charged for the use of cabins, marinas, campsites, etc. Florida's state parks offer 3,613 family campsites, 186 cabins, thousands of picnic tables, 100 miles (160 km) of beaches, and over 2,600 miles (4,200 km) of trails. The Florida Park Service
1254-423: The state parks. Oleta River State Park is also the headquarters to one of the state's five AmeriCorps Florida State Parks chapters. The state park welcomes approximately 25 million visitors annually. Oleta River State Park is adjacent to Munisport landfill, a former superfund site. However, no health issues at Oleta River State Park have been linked to the landfill. There are four water treatment plants nearby
1292-596: The state's natural environment , the department divides its function into three areas: The Florida DEP office responsible for FDEP's overseeing of Everglades restoration—including the Everglades Forever Act and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan —is the Office of Ecosystem Projects . In its largest wetland acquisition in a decade, in January 2020, the Florida governor announced
1330-524: The term sea-level rise was not permitted and had to be replaced with the term nuisance flooding . Per the department's the Office of Inspector General annual report from fiscal year 2011–2012, the DEP had more than 4,176 employees. Florida Governor Rick Scott recommended to decrease DEP's FY 2015-16 budget by about $ 29 million to $ 1,535,984,614 compared to actual (not the Governor recommended) FY 2014-15 budget. His plan funded 2,939.5 positions, which
1368-408: The terms climate change , global warming or sustainability in publications or educational materials, because the DEP was the governor's agency. The Florida Oceans and Coastal Council's Annual Research Plan 2014-15 avoided the term climate change and used 'climate drivers' and 'climate-driven changes' instead. Some critical employees were terminated or gave their notice during that time. Until 2015,
1406-592: Was entrusted with the quality of the state's air and water, and with making major land management decisions, primarily related to shorelines and wetlands. The FDER began supervising five water management districts that had been established in 1972 under Chapter 373 of Florida Statutes to control all freshwater located in the state: The Suwannee River Water Management District , St. Johns River Water Management District , Southwest Florida Water Management District , South Florida Water Management District , and Northwest Florida Water Management District . By 1992, it
1444-464: Was the nation's third-largest such state agency, with 1,500 employees and a budget of some $ 650 million. In 1993, the state merged the DER with the substantially larger Department of Natural Resources, creating the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Virginia Bass Wetherell was named Secretary of the new agency. In 2004, it started the 'Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative', 6 years after
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