According to the NWF Daily News, effective immediately, code enforcement officers will enforce a revised Leave No Trace ordinance which was suspended earlier this year. Why was it suspended? Possibly due to legal wranglings in the private vs. public debate saga as it pertains to the beach? Or maybe because there was confusion as to who was responsible to actually tag items and enforce the ordinance? Regardless, it's great news that clarificaton has been established, a revision has been approved and the the program is back up and running!
About Leave No Trace.
Leave No Trace is an international program that guides outdoor enthusiasts in
their decisions to reduce their impacts while enjoying recreational activities and 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. In Walton county, an amendment to Walton County Ordinance No. 2003-07, Section 4.G and Section 22-54(G) was drafted (last year?) which directed that personal items left on the beach between dusk and dawn will be discarded.
Here are some highlights from the news article:
- Code enforcement officers will enforce the law and the TDC will publicize the regulations and educate visitors and residents.
- A "beach ambassador" program will be implemented by the TDC to run from spring break to the end of turtle-nesting season in November where ambassadors will talk to beachgoers about the Leave No Trace law as well as beach rules and safety. Ambassadors will be hired "in-house" by the TDC.
- If the ambassador finds items that have been left on the beach, a code enforcement officer will tag them with a note that says the owner has 24 hours to remove them.
- If the items are not removed, they will be collected and taken to a storage area, where they will be kept for 48 hours before they are discarded.
FAQ about the revised Leave No Trace Beach Ordinance No. 2003-07G
Leave No Trace is an international program that guides outdoor enthusiasts in their decisions to reduce their impacts while enjoying recreational activities.
What is Beach Ordinance No. 2003-07G?
Over the last three years, Walton County has made progress in promoting and enforcing beach ordinance No. 2003-07G, which states personal items including beach chairs, umbrellas, tents and other personal items left on the beach and around public beach accesses overnight (from one hour after dusk to one hour after sunrise) will be removed, unless otherwise permitted.
Why did Walton County enact this ordinance?
The beach ordinance was enacted due to the need for emergency vehicles to navigate the beach more safely and to protect wildlife such as nesting sea turtles (May - November). The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission are mandating to coastal counties that obstacles on the beach at night should be prohibited. This is in effect at other Florida beaches and is being more strictly enforced because of the large decline of turtle nests being recorded. (POST CONTINUED BELOW)
■ ■ ■
advertisement
The TDC has been tasked by the Board of County Commissioners for marketing and educating visitors and residents of the ordinance and Leave No Trace campaign. The TDC is implementing a beach ambassador program, providing direct contact with beachgoers. There will be a TDC staff beach ambassador on the beach to interact with beachgoers from 6:00 am – 2 pm, from spring break through turtle nesting season to provide information on topics including Leave No Trace, beach rules and beach safety.
What is Code Enforcement’s role in the program?
Code Enforcement will enforce the ordinance. Code Enforcement officers will tag items left on the beach overnight, giving owners and beach vendors 24 hours to remove abandoned items. If items are not removed, Code Enforcement will remove the abandoned items and store them at the TDC Central Maintenance Facility for 48 hours before disposing of the items.
How does the owner of an abandoned item get it back?
Abandoned items may be retrieved between the hours of 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday – Thursday and 9:00 a.m. – Noon on Friday at the TDC Central Maintenance Facility located at 924 CR 83. Owners will be asked to provide a photo ID and sign an affidavit confirming that they are the owner of the property.
Can you get a permit for kayaks, larger items and permanent structures to be left at the toe of the dune?
Yes. Code Enforcement issues permits Monday through Thursday for permissible items. Contact Code Enforcement at 850-622-0000 for an application. Code enforcement makes all determinations regarding permits.
When does this new procedure go into effect?
The new procedure was approved by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners on June 30. The County is currently focused on education and voluntary compliance. Once personnel is trained and tags are printed, Code Enforcement will begin full enforcement of the ordinance, including tagging and removal of abandoned items.
Questions? Call Code Enforcement at 850-622-0000.
Related Posts:
