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Beach season is upon us and we must all remember to be good stewards while enjoying area beaches. Remember - any personal items left on public beach walkovers and accesses overnight will be removed from the beach daily as part of the “Leave No Trace” campaign, an international program that guides outdoor enthusiasts in their decisions to reduce their impacts while enjoying recreational activities.
“Leave No Trace” focuses on the concepts of beach maintenance and preservation. By ensuring that each person “leaves no trace” when enjoying the area’s beaches, waterways and natural lands, it helps protect and preserve this destination while ensuring everyone is afforded the same pristine experience. Therefore, per the amendment to Walton County Ordinance No. 2003-07, Section 4.G and Section 22-54(G), personal items left on the beach between dusk and dawn will be discarded.
“Everyone wins when the beach is maintained. Clean beaches benefit the environment and economy alike,” said Tracy Louthain, director of public relations and visitor services for Beaches of South Walton TDC. “Leaving items on the beach overnight has a number of harmful effects ranging from items being taken with the tide and becoming litter, to impacts on nesting sea turtles to spoiling the area’s scenic beauty for which we are known.”
Obstructions on the beach in a nesting turtle's path are dangerous
obstacles. She cannot maneuver very well on land and loses precious
energy reserves needed for nesting. A turtle cannot backup. If blocked
or trapped, she will need to be rescued. In addition to the
environmental impacts, items left on the beach also block emergency and
maintenance vehicles, which traverse the beach at night.
Responsible practices not only make the area’s beaches more attractive but are a point of distinction and recognition. Blue Wave certification is issued by the Clean Beaches Council for responsible beach management practices, and Beaches of South Walton is the only destination in the nation to have all 26-miles of beaches Blue Wave certified.
There are guiding principles that beach goers can adopt to ensure that they “Leave No Trace.”
- Travel on durable surfaces. By staying on established trails and dune walkovers, damage to vegetation, and the erosion that occurs as a result, will be avoided.
- If you carry it in, carry it out. Trash, cigarette butts, waste and other items litter our natural areas.
- Remove beach chairs and
umbrellas, as they create hazards when left out overnight. These items
will be discarded if left on the beach overnight.
For more information on the “Leave No Trace” program, please call Walton County Code Enforcement at 850-622-0000.
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