WARNING!! Florida law changes

[wreckdiver1715]

Now that the 2005 summer dive season is in full swing down along the Florida coast (well, when the rain finally ends anyway). The comments of another Florida scuba diver on another site caused me to revisit the Florida Historical Commission, the Bureau of Archaeological Research, and the Division of Historical Resources web site. Wow! I am shocked at some of the changes that are posted since my last visit to the site. This does not appear to be good news for all us scuba diving relic/treasure hunters.
Effective 1 June 2005, the division has discontinued the isolated finds program. Removal of artifacts from sovereign submerged lands will no longer be allowed after that date; removal of artifacts from river bottoms and other sovereign submerged lands will be a first degree misdemeanor under § 267.13(1)(a), Florida Statutes.I am not entirely sure of the implications that we are now faced with. However, I will be doing more research and contacting Dr. Wheeler, the State Archaeologist and Chief of the Bureau of Archaeological Research next week for more details, and will post them as soon as I get a response from his office.

Stay tuned for more information

Q

[dougdann]

Curiously.
How far out into the ocean does the state have control over what is found.
1 mile? 2 miles?

Living right next to Galveston, I thought about taking some scuba lessons this summer.
Although the Florida area has clearer water. I thought I might play with it.
Any idea on the distance?

Thankyou,
Doug
P.S. And thankyou for the above information. It's appreciated.

[wreckdiver1715]

Typically, from the shore line to three miles out are State controlled waters. This may very from state to state. However, in Florida it’s three.
PS, I learned to dive in Lake Travis and Canyon Lake many years ago.