TDC Advisory Council -- Change in Seaweed Removal Policy ?

[lenzoe]

Does anyone on this site attend or report on TDC Advisory Council meetings? I was just browsing their web site and it looks like they may be promoting the idea of removing seaweed from the beaches.

http://www.visitsouthwalton.org/contents/download/8644

http://www.visitsouthwalton.org/agendas-minutes/

From the web documents it looks like they brought this up in the March 2012 meeting. The documents contain emails about the FDEP policy being changed so that they think they can rake the beach and truck the seaweed out for disposal/decomposition off beach.

Does anyone know if this something they are seriously planning, or was it just thrown out there for consideration?

I think this is a bad idea, would do more to damage the beach, and would be a real waste of bed tax money that could be used for something that could help the beach instead (like how about planting more sea oats)? I'm surprised this is even being considered, and I am hoping they haven't actually implemented this.

[Zebraspots]

Horrible idea, that seaweed is important to beach health!

[BeachSiO2]

Long story short, there was a request by some in the community to have the TDC change their policy of leaving seaweed on the beach. The item was discussed and the decision was made to stay with existing policy to leave seaweed UNLESS it is a health or safety concern. An example of health or safety is after a storm when debris and seaweed can get intermingled and the seaweed is removed because of the debris. Hope this clarifies.

[kurt]

Thanks - that helps. I am strongly against removal!

[lenzoe]

Thank you for clearing that up.

[Jim Tucker]

Let nature alone! Seaweed is vital to building sand up and for the ecosystem.

[Andy A]

Oh, but we have to have pristine, clean absolutely white sand beaches for our guests.