Florida Fossil Permit
FLORIDA STATUTES § 240.516 sets forth the State of Florida's declared intent to Protect and preserve vertebrate fossils and vertebrate paleontology sites. All vertebrate fossils found on lands owned or leased by the state belong to the state with title thereto vested in the Florida Museum of Natural History. Field collection of vertebrate fossils may be conducted under the authority of a permit issued by the Program of Vertebrate Paleontology in accordance with FS § 240.516 F.S. and the University of Florida RULE 6C1-7.541 F.A.C. The purpose of the fossil collecting permit is not only to manage this nonrenewable part of Florida's heritage, but to help paleontologists learn more about the range and distribution of the state's fossil animals.
WHAT AREAS ARE COVERED?
The state intends to encourage preservation of its heritage wherever vertebrate fossils are discovered; the state encourages all persons having knowledge of such fossils to notify the Program of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History. A permit is required for most collecting activities on all lands owned or leased by the state. This includes sites located either on submerged lands or uplands. Please note that existing regulations prohibit collecting in state parks and certain other managed areas. Check the regulations to see if your activities are covered.
WHAT OBJECTS ARE COVERED?
It is Florida's public policy to protect and preserve all vertebrate fossils, including bones, teeth, natural casts, molds, impressions, and other remains of prehistoric animals. Fossil sharks teeth are specifically excluded from these regulations, as are fossil plants and Invertebrates, including shells, so no permit is required to collect these specimens.
WHO MAY OBTAIN A PERMIT?
Any person with an interest in Florida vertebrate fossils may apply for a permit.
WHO MUST OBTAIN A PERMIT?
Any person or entity buying, selling or trading vertebrate fossils found on or under state-owned or leased land; and/or Any person or entity engaged in the systematic collection, acquisition, or restoration of vertebrate fossils found on state-owned or leased land. "Systematic collection" is hereby characterized by one or more of the following three features:
1. Volume of collections of vertebrate fossils in excess of one gallon at one site;
2. Use of any power-driven machinery or mechanical excavating tools of any size or hand tools greater than two (2) feet in length;
3. the collection, acquisition, excavation, salvage, exhumation or restoration of vertebrate fossils at a site on more than three days or a maximum of twenty-four hours during a period of one year.
HOW IS A PERMIT OBTAINED?
Any person wishing to engage in field collection of vertebrate fossils on land owned or leased by the state of Florida should apply for a permit by printing out and completing the application form below and mailing it to: THE FLORIDA PROGRAM OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7800, USA. The application must be accompanied by a self-identification document such as a copy of the applicant's birth certificate, driver's license, passport, or Social Security card, and a check or money order for
$5.00 US made payable to the PROGRAM OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY. A permit shall be issued for one year.
A multiple-user permit will be granted to an individual representing an organization or institution.
WHAT OBLIGATIONS DOES A PERMIT CARRY?
As a permit holder you can help unlock the secrets of Florida's fossil heritage and preserve this knowledge for future generations. Each year permittees add new discoveries to Florida's fossil heritage. The holder of a permit must report any unusual specimen or unusually rich site to the PROGRAM OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY as soon as possible. At any convenient time, no later than the end of the permit year, the permit holder shall submit to the PROGRAM OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY a list of all vertebrate fossils collected during the permit year along with appropriate locality information; or the actual collections with appropriate locality information. If within sixty (60) days of receipt of the list or the actual collection the PROGRAM OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY does not request the permittee to donate one or more of the fossils collected, they may be released as 'non-essential fossils' to be disposed of however the permit holder may choose.
