I just received my tax bill and one of the taxing agencies is listed as FIND. What is FIND and what do you do?
FIND, or the Florida Inland Navigation District is a special taxing district that, along with the US. Army Corps of Engineers, maintains the Federally-authorized Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). FIND conducts dredging projects to ensure safe and accessible navigation along the IWC; provides upland land parcels for management of dredged material; and provides grants for waterway-associated projects in the 12 counties along the Atlantic IWC from the Florida/Georgia Stateline down through Miami-Dade County. Currently, the adopted millage rate is 0.0320, or 3.2 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. For $200,000 of taxable property value, the estimted tax amount is $6.40.
Who maintains the Aids to Navigation (ATONs) along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW)?
The US Coast Guard (USCG) maintain the ATONs along ICW. ATONs outside the ICW are typically owned and maintained by counties or municipalities, while others are private aids to navigation, permitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Contact you local USCG station or fill out a ATON discrepancy form on-line for damaged structures or discrepancies along the waterway.
Who do I call if I see a damaged Speed Zone (No Wake, Slow Speed) or Manatee Sign?
Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Office of Boating and Waterways who is responsible for the maintenance of State of Florida waterways zoning signs. Reports can be made electronically through their website (FWC), by e-mail MarkerOnCall@MyFWC.com or by calling FWC at 1-866-405-BUOY (2869).
Who do I contact if I come across a sunken vessel or marine debris that is a hazard to navigation along ICW?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Office of Boating and Waterways maintains a database of known derelict vessels that have been previously been reported or documented by the State. You can reach them through their website (FWC), by e-mail waterway.management@myfwc.com or by calling their office at 1-850-488-5600.
There is debris (tree limbs, etc.) in the canal I use to get to the ICW. Who is responsible for removing the debris?
Depending on the location of the downed tree, the responsibility to remove the downed tree may be unclear. For example, a tree in a private residential canal may be the responsibility of the property owner from where the tree originated. It is best to contact your local office of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Can FIND dredge the finger canal behind my house or access canal from my neighborhood to the IWW?
FIND's sole dredging responsibility is the main public channel of the Federally-authorized right-of-way for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Canal dredging may be undertaken by the local government, Home Owners Association or private individuals under peoper permitting.
Some municipalities may set up special taxing districts to fund canal dredging.
I bought a waterfront piece of property. How can I find out if I can build a dock, a seawall, a boat lift, or other water-associated structure? And what agency permits these structures?
Contact the US Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District office, Florida Department of Environmental and your local planning and zoning department to inquire about the permitting process, setbacks and permits for docks and other coastal structures.
My property survey shows a FIND easement adjacent to my property. What does that mean and what kind of restrictions are associated with the easement?
The District's easements must remain unobstructed in perpetuity for the sole purpose of managing dredged material and other tasks associated with maintaining the ICW. Please contact our office if you have any questions.
Are any of FIND's properties for sale?
FIND does not have any properties for sale at this time.
Can the public access FIND properties for recreational use?
FIND properties are managed as dredged material management sites and at not available for use by the general public. A few FIND sites have been specifically leased to a county or municipality for recreational use. Only these leased "park" properties are available for passive recreational activities.