IN HAEC VERBA: Florida Department of Environmental Protection re: Parking Garages in State Parks

Mr. Slavin, this is in response to your public records request of October 1, 2013 requesting 1) legal authority to deny or approve parking garage in state park, and 2) any communications from anyone ever asking to put one in any state parks, e.g. at St Augustine Amphitheater, a lessee of Anastasia State Park, e.g. from St Johns County Commissioner Ron Sanchez.
Authority to place a parking garage or any other new structure in a state park or on other state land would begin with the state land management plan that is generally a requirement of the lease from the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (Trustees) to the manager of the land. The structure would have to be discussed in the management plan that is approved by the Trustees (or the Division of State Lands as agents for the Trustees).
Collier County requested consideration to construct a parking garage in Delnor-Wiggins State Park several years ago. In the process of completing our scheduled update of the park management plan, we considered that option and it was decided not to include a parking garage in the plan, which was subsequently approved (see attached correspondence).
Also attached are emails regarding a proposal from the Walton County Tourist Development Council a year or so ago to build a fishing pier and an associated parking garage at Grayton Beach. The proposal was considered but neither the pier or garage were pursued further.
The St. Augustine Amphitheater is not part of Anastasia State Park. It was at one time, but it was released by the DRP several years ago, and subsequently leased to St. Johns County by the Division of State Lands. The Division of State Lands has no records relevant to your public records request.
Bobbie Rednour
Operations Management Consultant
Bureau of Operational Services
Division of Recreation and Parks
3900 Commonwealth Blvd-MS 535
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000
Direct Line: 850-245-3088
Fax: 850-412-0542