Franklin County Commissioners this month tabled a decision on whether to expand its “Leave no Trace” ordinance to include Carrabelle, Alligator Point and Bald Point beaches.
The leave no trace ordinance was created in 2015 as a way to protect nesting sea turtles by banning people from leaving items like tents and beach chairs on public beaches on St. George Island overnight - items that are left out can be confiscated and destroyed at the landfill.
The county later expanded the rule to include penalties for people who dig holes on the beaches and don't fill them in before leaving the beach.
Holes are a big impediment to nesting sea turtles that have to crawl across the beach to lay their eggs near the dune line.
The board held a public hearing this month to consider expanding the rule to other beaches where sea turtles’ nest, including Carrabelle Beach, Alligator Point and Bald Point.
There was a very long discussion about the issue with most people in favor of expanding the rule to more beaches, but in the end, there was a question as to how the rue would be enforced.
Currently, employees with the Parks and Recreation Department are tasked with going down the public beaches on St. George Island to remove any items that are left on the beach overnight.
The problem is there aren’t enough workers at Parks and Rec to cover any additional beaches, which means the county would either have to hire more people or find some civic groups that might be willing to help if that is legally allowed.
In the end the decision was tabled until the county can decide how best to enforce the Leave No Trace Ordinance if it is expanded.
The leave no trace ordinance was created in 2015 as a way to protect nesting sea turtles by banning people from leaving items like tents and beach chairs on public beaches on St. George Island overnight - items that are left out can be confiscated and destroyed at the landfill.
The county later expanded the rule to include penalties for people who dig holes on the beaches and don't fill them in before leaving the beach.
Holes are a big impediment to nesting sea turtles that have to crawl across the beach to lay their eggs near the dune line.
The board held a public hearing this month to consider expanding the rule to other beaches where sea turtles’ nest, including Carrabelle Beach, Alligator Point and Bald Point.
There was a very long discussion about the issue with most people in favor of expanding the rule to more beaches, but in the end, there was a question as to how the rue would be enforced.
Currently, employees with the Parks and Recreation Department are tasked with going down the public beaches on St. George Island to remove any items that are left on the beach overnight.
The problem is there aren’t enough workers at Parks and Rec to cover any additional beaches, which means the county would either have to hire more people or find some civic groups that might be willing to help if that is legally allowed.
In the end the decision was tabled until the county can decide how best to enforce the Leave No Trace Ordinance if it is expanded.
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