Policies |
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| Isolated
Finds in the State of Florida |
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This
is a policy about isolated finds, which artifact collectors used
to record with the state, which is the legal owner of all waterways
and objects within them, but who for a while tolerated collecting
of artifacts within rivers if these artifacts were reported, and
pertinent information could be recorded. This is more of an issue
in central and north Florida, but I think it is also important to
share this information here. In a nutshell…it is no longer
lawful to remove artifacts from waterways! (Please see official
state policy on this below). However, I encourage you to report
such finds (if they are still made) to archaeologists (including
myself), so we can still learn from these deposits together, and
involve the proper state officials in recording important finds
and sites as needed. However, please do not remove these finds from
waterways; reporting them can start a process of cooperation toward
recovery of information. My fear is that we may all lose valuable
information if we stop communicating and I don’t think that
was ever the goal of the state officials in discontinuing the isolated
finds program. -KBS |
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THE
ISOLATED FINDS PROGRAM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED; IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
REMOVE ARTIFACTS FROM STATE-OWNED LANDS, INCLUDING RIVER BOTTOMS
The Isolated Finds Program (IFP) allowed divers to legally collect
artifacts (e.g., arrowheads, pottery sherds) from some Florida rivers
by reporting information on their finds to the Division of Historical
Resources. §267.115(9), Florida Statutes states that
"the division may implement a program to administer finds of
isolated historic artifacts from state-owned river bottoms whereby
the division may transfer ownership of such artifacts to the finder
in exchange for information about the artifacts and the circumstances
and location of their discovery." Artifacts were not to be
collected from known archaeological sites or from rivers within
managed areas like parks, preserves and forests. The IFP began in
1996 as a cooperative effort between the Division and river divers
who were concerned that their long standing hobby was jeopardized
by increased criminal penalties for removing artifacts from State
of Florida owned lands. |
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The
Division attempted to inform river divers about the IFP with flyers,
public presentations, meetings with river divers, and a web page. |
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In November
2003 the Florida Historical Commission recommended that the Division
discontinue the IFP and explore alternative programs. This decision
was based on low participation and problems with enforcement of the
IFP. |
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The
Division held public meetings in April and June 2004 to receive input
on the IFP and possible alternative programs. Letters requesting input
were sent to IFP participants, avocational and professional archaeological
societies, American Indian tribes, land managing and law enforcement
agencies. |
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The
Historical Commission discussed this issue and received public comment
at its meetings in Delray Beach (May 15, 2004) and Tallahassee (November
15, 2004 and April 7, 2005). The Division's review of the IFP was
presented to the Historical Commission in May 2005. The Commission
unanimously recommended that the Division discontinue the IFP without
a replacement program. The Division accepted the recommendation of
the Historical Commission and notified IFP participants and other
interested parties that the IFP was discontinued as of June 1, 2005.
Participants were encouraged to continue their interests in Florida
archaeology by working with scholars and archaeological societies. |
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Between
June 1996 and June 2005 the Division received 1,115 IFP reports from
150 individuals. Seven individuals submitted 54 % of the IFP reports
received. 10,720 artifacts were collected under the IFP program from
51 rivers and lakes. In two cases divers reported locating significant
sites and donated their finds to the Division; in all other cases
the artifacts were kept by the finders. Geographic analysis indicates
that 10 % of the IFP reports represent artifacts removed from known
archaeological sites. In the absence of the IFP removal of artifacts
from river bottoms and other sovereign submerged lands is a first
degree misdemeanor under § 267.13(1)(a), Florida Statutes. |
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Permit
to excavate on state lands (contact Ryan Wheeler or Andrea White)
www.flheritage.com
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Historic
Preservation |
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Lee
County |
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A historic
preservation board and commissioners may designate properties historic;
the board meets monthly; contact Gloria Sajgo in the Lee County building
by the Midpoint Bridge with questions. Lee County certificate to dig
Fort Myers (no explicit language here; contact Anne Mullins in the
Hendry Street City Planning office with questions. |
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Bonita
Springs (much the same as Lee County, since much of the language herein
was borrowed wholesale; however, only the property owner can designate
a property historic; a historic preservation board was created this
year and they meet monthly) contact Barbara Barnes-Buchanan with questions |
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Boca
Grande (much the same as Lee County, since much of the language herein
was borrowed wholesale; they work with Gloria Sajgo at the county
level) Fort Myers Beach Sanibel |
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Collier
County |
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A historic
preservation board and commissioners may designate properties historic;
the board meets monthly. Contact Melissa Zone in the Collier County
building complex in Naples with questions. |
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Goodland
(since Goodland is unincorporated, they are working toward developing
their own ordinances via a preservation coalition) |
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Naples
-Everglades City (contact City Hall with questions) |
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Moore
Haven (contact Tracy Whirls at the Glades Economic Development
Council with questions) |
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Clewiston
- LaBelle (contact Mike at City Hall with questions) |
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Charlotte
County |
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Punta
Gorda -Contact Linda Coleman at the Charlotte County Historical Center
and Seann Smith at the Charlotte County complex on Murdock Circle
with questions |
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