Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) and Sovereign Submerged
Lands (SSL) Rules
Deadhead Logging
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a permit cover?
- An issued permit allows recovery of submerged timber from a
contiguous 20-mile river reach on one named waterbody.
- Are there any Waterbodies that are prohibited?
- Yes! Deadhead logging is not allowed in Aquatic Preserves,
land-locked lakes and several rivers. Logging is also restricted
in state parks and the spawning locations of endangered species
such as the gulf sturgeon.
- What areas are approved for deadhead logging?
- How do I apply to recover deadheads?
- You will need to submit a permit application (62.312.900(1) in
NWD and 62-343.900(1) for all other Departmental Districts), the
required information and the required $500 application fee.
- How much will it cost for me to log?
- The Dredge and Fill Permit application fee is $500.
- The Use Agreement annual fee is $5,500.
- Additional cost will be incurred as a logger is required to hold
liability insurance while their Use Agreement is valid.
- What information is required for the application process?
- GPS points for the start and stop of the river reach as well as
for the location that is going to be used to remove deadheads from
the water.
- Photos of landing site(s) and vessels that are going to be used
in the log recovery operation.
- Landing authorization
- Archeological survey (if required)
- Publication of Notice of Application
- Will I be the only one logging in my permitted area?
- No. The State of Florida does not have an exclusionary permit
program. There may be several loggers permitted to work in the same
area of the river.
- How many deadhead logs are left?
- Unfortunately there is no way of knowing how many deadhead logs
remain on the river bottoms. Numerous waterways have already been
permitted for logging operations, however, there are still a great
number of water bodies that have never been a part of permitted
logging activities.
- What is considered a deadhead log?
- A Permit to retrieve Pre-cut Submerged Timber, or deadhead logs,
allows the removal of logs that were cut during the State’s logging
boom during the early 1900’s. Most of these timbers can be
recognized by the ax marks at the end of the log. A Permit does not
allow recovery of any deadfall or naturally occurring timber that
may be found in the river system.
- During the permitting process, are there any other requirements?
- A Permittee will be required to attend a course and receive a
Master Deadhead Logger Certification. This educational component of
the permit provides the logger with legal and environmental
knowledge regarding the conditions of his permit. This course is
coordination between several sections of the Department but also the
Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, the Division
of Forestry and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission
