Enforcement of "Leave No Trace" ordinance begins on St. George Island on March 9th

Franklin County commissioners will begin enforcing its new “Leave No Trace” ordinance in March.

The “leave no trace” ordinance is designed to protect nesting sea turtles and to keep local beaches looking cleaner.

The ordinance bans people from leaving items like tents and beach chairs on public beaches on St. George Island overnight.

Items left on the beach act as an impediment to sea turtles which dig their nests near the dune line.

They also hinder turtle hatchlings as they make their first trip to the Gulf.

Under the “Leave no Trace” Rule, Franklin County would be able to confiscate items left on the beach at night and destroy them at the landfill.

The new rule will not affect private beaches - and at this time only covers public beaches on St. George Island.

There is a limited exception for beach businesses like chair and jet-ski rentals, but those businesses will need a permit to operate on public beach areas.

County administrator Alan Pierce said the Ordinance will begin to be enforced on Monday, March 9, which is the beginning of Spring Break rentals.

He expects that there will be some outcry when the enforcement phase begins, but that should pass.

A similar ordinance is already in effect in Bay County and will soon be in effect in Gulf County too. 

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