State Takes Hands Off Honeymoon Island

Florida Department of Environmental Protection scrapped its plan to allow recreational camping on Honeymoon Island late Friday.

"The message was heard loud and clear," Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey) said, moments after receiving a letter from DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard. "I'm very pleased."

Vinyard's letter to Fasano states:

"The Department with the full support of Governor Rick Scott, will not recommend going forward with camping at Honeymoon Island State Park..."

Vinyard's letter further states:

"The Department recognizes that adding amenities in state parks should be a citizen-supported effort and should not appear rushed. Going forward, we will be taking a different approach and I have asked staff to meet with local communities, state park citizen support organizations and other park stakeholders before formally proposing the addition of amenities or services, including family camping, at any of our state parks."

The to open 17.5 acres of Honeymoon Island State Park for RV use met from Dunedin residents as soon as it came to public light. The DEP was criticized for blindsiding stakeholders in a rushed process and for inadequate consideration to the island's fragile ecosystem.

It embroiled citizens and — an estimated 1,200 people — to a public hearing with DEP on July 5. Hundreds of residents, state and local officials, a and the unanimously rejected the DEP plan for 45 RV campsites.