Proposed fee changes at Biscayne National Park to enhance visitor services at Boca Chita and Elliott Keys

Boca Chita Harbor: NPS photo by Peter Wintersteen         

Public comment period to run from September 22, 2023 to October 23, 2023.
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HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- The National Park Service (NPS) invites public comment on 
proposed changes to fees on Boca Chita and Elliott Keys in Biscayne National Park, including the implementation of a docking fee and a flat camping fee. These fees would be utilized to enhance visitor services and better address common issues, such as trash pick-up and disposal, dock repair, resource damage mitigation and facilities repair and maintenance. 
 
Under the park’s proposal, a $45 docking fee would be implemented at both Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key harbors, taking effect January 1, 2024. The second proposed change is the elimination of the current “camping only” fee (camping without docking a boat), leaving a flat camping fee of $35.  
 
“The proposed fees would enable Biscayne National Park to enhance the overall quality of the visitor experience and management of these remote islands,” said Biscayne National Park Acting Superintendent Randalle Burton. “The public’s feedback on this proposal is important to us and will help inform plans to provide the park experience our visitors seek and deserve.” 
  
Boca Chita Docking  
Elliott Key Docking 
Boca Chita Camping 
Elliott Key Camping 

Current Rates 
$0 
$0 
$35/night boat docking and camping  
 
$25/night camping only (no boat docking)  
$35/night boat docking and camping  
 
$25/night camping only (no boat docking)  

Proposed 2024 Rates 
$45 
$45 
$35 camping 
$35 camping 

Eighty percent of docking fee revenue stays at Biscayne National Park to fund projects related to visitor experiences. Recent examples of fee revenue improvements include improved park signage, updated comfort stations and newly replaced picnic tables and grills. The remaining twenty percent of collected fees is allocated for visitor experience improvements at non-fee parks throughout the NPS. 
 
Comments regarding the park’s proposed docking fee may be submitted electronically on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website through October 23 at 11:59pm at:
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BISCNPIslandAmenities
 
Written comments may be mailed to: 
 
National Park Service 
Biscayne National Park 
Attn: Superintendent 
9700 SW 328 Street  
Homestead, FL 33033 
 
www.nps.gov 
 
About Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key. Boca Chita and Elliott Keys offer unique national park experiences.  Accessible only by boat, both locations feature beautiful waterfront views, grassy camping areas, docks, restrooms, picnic tables and grills. Recreational opportunities like these at Biscayne National Park contributed to boosting the local economy with visitors spending $50.9 million on hotels, gas, and restaurants in 2022.  These expenditures supported a total of 659 jobs, $25.8 million in labor income, $43.6 million in value added and $74.1 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Biscayne National Park. 
 
About Biscayne National Park.  Within sight of downtown Miami, Biscayne National Park protects a rare combination of subtropical islands, mangrove shoreline, biodiverse coral reefs, and 10,000 years of human history.  The park is ninety-five percent water and encompasses the northernmost Florida Keys.  Most of the park is only accessible by boat.  Home to a vast array of species, visitors to Biscayne might encounter sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, and the West Indian manatee.  To learn more please visit https://www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm  For regular updates from the park follow us on https://www.facebook.com/BiscayneNPS and https://www.instagram.com/biscaynenps/