Closures

Closures, Restrictions and Public Use Limits

Office of the Superintendent
Closure Order #21-002
April 21, 2021

Closures, restrictions and public use limits:

Closure Order – Portion of a Park Area: Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR 1.5, the following park areas and facilities are closed, effective immediately, until further notice:

Convoy Point to include Canoe/Kayak Ramp Protocol:

• Convoy Point will return to its regular operating hours and will be open between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily.
• Dante Fascell Visitor Center will return to its regular operating hours and will be open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday-Saturday.
• To encourage social distancing and to ensure safe access to facilities by patrons, park staff may limit the number of persons using Convoy Point Canoe/Kayak Ramp and may limit the time any person spends at the ramp.
• Vehicle parking is only allowed in designated open parking spaces.

Restrictions and Public Use Limits: Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR 1.5, the following activities are restricted in Biscayne National Park, effective immediately, until further notice:

Convoy Point:

• Gatherings (picnic parties of more than 10 people) at Convoy Point are prohibited.

The following enclosed spaces will have a maximum allowable occupancy as follows:

• Visitor’s Center Restrooms - Men’s (no more than 3 persons at a time), Women’s (no more than 3 persons at a time)
• Visitor’s Center Open Area (no more than 14 persons at a time)
• Visitor’s Center Auditorium (no more than 9 persons at a time)
• Discovery Room (no more than 9 persons at a time)
• Bookstore (no more than 5 persons at a time)

Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key, and Adams Key:

• Gatherings (picnic parties of more than 10 people) at Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key, and Adams Key are prohibited.

The following enclosed spaces will have a maximum allowable occupancy as follows:

• Boca Chita Key Restrooms - Men’s (no more than 1 person at a time), Women’s (no more than 1 person at a time)
• Elliott Key Restrooms - Men’s (no more than 3 persons at a time), Women’s (no more than 4 persons at a time)
• Adams Key Restrooms - Men’s (no more than 2 persons at a time), Women’s (no more than 2 persons at a time)

Notice: This administrative order applies to all individuals subject to the regulatory authority of the National Park Service (NPS) within the boundaries of Biscayne National Park, including park visitors, government employees, concession employees, park residents and stakeholders, except as follows: Government employees engaged in official government responsibilities and duties.

Finding: The NPS issues this administrative order for the purposes of maintaining public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. The above actions are required to allow for an orderly and safe utilization of Park resources and facilities.

Emergency Closures 20-001, 20-002, 20-003, 20-004, 20-005, 20-006, and 20-007 are cancelled.

This order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. The effectiveness of this order will be assessed on an ongoing basis and will be modified or removed when conditions warrant.

Signed by: Penelope Del Bene, Superintendent

 

Closure Order for Ecosystem House (House #5)

Closure Order #21-001
January 22, 2021

Closures, restrictions and public use limits:

Closure Order – Portion of a Park Area: Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR 1.5, the following park areas and facilities are closed, effective immediately, until further notice:

Ecosystem House (House #5):
• The Ecosystem House (House #5) located at Biscayne Channel and all area within a 100 foot perimeter around it, are closed to the public.

Restrictions and Public Use Limits: Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR 1.5, the following activities are restricted in Biscayne National Park, effective immediately, until further notice:

Ecosystem House (House #5):
• Entering the closed perimeter around the Ecosystem House is prohibited.
• Docking a vessel at the Ecosystem House is prohibited.
• Walking or standing on any docks at the Ecosystem House is prohibited.

Notice: This administrative order applies to all individuals subject to the regulatory authority of the National Park Service (NPS) within the boundaries of Biscayne National Park, including park visitors, government employees, concession employees, park residents and stakeholders, except as follows: Government employees engaged in official government responsibilities and duties.

Finding: The NPS issues this administrative order for the purposes of maintaining public health and safety due to the recent fire at the Ecosystem House.

These directives require the NPS to take the actions identified above because:
• The above actions are required in order to allow for an orderly and safe utilization of Park resources and facilities.

This Emergency Closure 21-001 is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. The effectiveness of this order will be assessed on an ongoing basis and will be modified or removed when conditions warrant.

Signed by: Bradon Falls, Acting Superintendent