Florida Keys - (Convoluted) Regulation Questions

[markpj23]

Does anyone know of a single source for consolidated rules & regs for the Keys? It's pretty convoluted searching the EPA sites, FL DEP, etc to determine what the rules are and where the boundaries begin. Coast Pilot 5 just copies the EPA law verbatim.

For example, certain areas are no discharge zones - only cooling water">engine cooling water is permitted. Other areas allow gray water discharge. Coastal boundary on the Atlantic side is 3nm, on the Gulf side it's 9nm (according to the FL website).

Another example: the FL DEP website says that Y-valves must be locked, and suggests using a non-removable cable tie for that purpose. On the Southwest FL Cruisers Net board there are reports that the local water cops want a wire & padlock arrangement else you get a $250 fine. Which is correct?

Then there are the "special" rules for the Dry Tortugas National Park and its surrounds....

So is there a single / easy source for all of this? We're headed down for the first time on the boat. Don't want to break the rules and know that ignorance is not a defensible position....

[daysailc]

Try picking up an embassy suites guide...their pretty good at the all the ins and outs of the areas

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by markpj23

Does anyone know of a single source for consolidated rules & regs for the Keys? ...

I very much doubt that there will be a single authoratative comprehensive & comprehensible source.
The blackwater lockout issue generally devolves into an interpratation of tasmper-proof lock out device:
tie-wrap
lock
disabled lock (brazed keyway)
and even more rigourous etc

[FSMike]

Whichever reg is the most inconvenient/expensive/impractical/difficult/stupid is the one which applies.

[Chief Engineer]

Disable/lock out the wye valve........close off and cap your o/b discharge.

I don't feel anything should be discharged in the Keys.....Even sunscreen on your skin while swimming is hazardous to the coral FWIH

[gonesail]

probably the best way to protect the south florida marine environment will be to disable humans from going there .. unless of course they have plenty of money to give to the local cops.

[DaveOnCudjoe]

Mark,
Give the National Marine Sanctuary a shout, they have an office in Key West.(305 )292-0311 or search Fl Keys National Marine Sanctuary. We are a collection of local, state and federal sanctuaries, parks and monuments. It is difficult to keep abreast of the changing regulations but I find that good faith efforts to limit impact goes a long way with enforcement officials. I can't speak for the rest of the state but in the Keys attempts to bribe Law Enforcement get you a trip to jail. If you find yourself around Cudjoe Key give me a shout. Dave

[Martinini]

Federal Law supercedes State Laws. Federal says 3 mile min. for discharge of blackwater. The only state who's state waters excede the 3 mile limit is Texas, who as a condition of becoming a state claimed and was granted a 10 mile state water limit. The discharge limit in Texas is still 3 miles. Legally Florida can't asses fines for things that excede Federal Statutes. Doesn't mean they won't try!! Face it how many boaters want to stick around the 6 or 8 months it takes to get this stupid s__t thrown out of court? Not many! Every little PO'DUNK town will try and stick you with anything they think they can get away with. Boaters are the cash cow that just pays because they have somewhere else to be. If the Feds hadn't backed boaters anchoring rights you wouldn't be able to anchor near any town in Florida without paying for it. Fee or fine! Marine Sancutuaries or Parks 0 discharge and be mindful of where you anchor.