Franklin County commission to reconsider "Leave No Trace" ordinance

Franklin County commissioners will hold a public hearing on august 5^th to reconsider a proposal designed to keep local beaches cleaner and protect nesting sea turtles.

Commissioners have agreed to revisit the “leave no trace” ordinance which is designed to keep people from leaving items like tents and beach chairs on the beach overnight.

Under the proposal the county would be able to confiscate and destroy those items – though people will be warned before their items are confiscated.

The rule would also require beachgoers to fill in any deep holes they dig on the beach before they leave at night.

The purpose of the rule is to protect sea turtles, which lay their eggs on the beach during the summer, and to protect the baby turtle which have to crawl to the Gulf of Mexico after hatching.

During a first hearing on the issue in February the board rejected the plan because of concerns that included which beaches would be covered by the rule, how the county would dispose of confiscated items, whether the rule would affect private beaches and what impact the rule would have on beach businesses.

County attorney Michael Shuler said those changes have now been made, and the rule will not affect private beaches, and will only include the public beach areas of St. George Island.

There will be a limited exception for beach businesses, and items that are confiscated will be destroyed at the landfill and not sold.

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