I know many don't see the Beach Breeze/Defuniak Herald so I thought I would post this article from July 12th that I found interesting. It looks like we will have more fireworks in addition to handcuffs on the beach. By the way, note that this will affect private individuals and vendors so let the funn begin..
Items left on beach to be removed
By DOTTY NIST
"Remove it or lose it," is now the rule in the evening on Walton County beaches.
To alleviate what has been identified as "a severe problem," Walton County has initiated a coordinated approach to have beaches clear of clutter in the evenings. The clutter of chairs, awnings, umbrellas, and other items on the beach has long been a complaint of South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers.
Federally-protected native sea turtles come onto the beach during their spring and fall nesting season, and their reproduction can be hampered by obstacles left on the beach in the evening. Human beachgoers can also run into or trip over these obstacles as they walk on the beach at night.
On June 28, Pat Blackshear, county planning and development services director, announced a cooperative effort between the county, the tourism council, and the sheriff's office to address the problem.
Blackshear explained that items left on the beach would be tagged and then removed after 24 hours if not taken off the beach by their owners. The policy applies both to private individuals and beach vendors, who are being notified by mail.
Walton County Sheriff's Office and Walton County Code Enforcement personnel will share patrol and tagging duties. South Walton Tourist Development Council (TDC) personnel will pick up tagged items once the 24-hour period has elapsed, and owners will forfeit items that are picked up.
TDC Executive Director Kriss Titus commented that, while Walton County's beaches have been honored by the Clean Beaches Council, she believes that the TDC has not been getting the message out about the importance of an uncluttered beach.
She said the TDC plans a "remove it or lose it" marketing campaign and will post information on its web page urging visitors to comply.
Replies
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SoWal Insider
Phase II of the enforcement is under way now. No tagging, just bagging. I guess this was Mr. Brown's first official act as Head of Code Enforcement.
Glad to see this county finally hired someone with some brass!
Anyone with at least one working braincell would have known that "tagging" system was lame, pointless and ineffective.
Rock on Brownie!!
It's been a very slow few weeks since it started so it's difficult to tell it's impact when there just isn't any traffic to test it, but I think it's a great call and is the only way for this thing to stick.
This weekend should be an excellent test.
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Edited
Beach Fanatic
I can see brochures for South Walton Beach now.
Don't bother to visit - most of the beaches and accesses are private. And don't bother to bring anything to the beach if you do decide to visit - it is open season on anything you take to the beach - if you can safely get in the water - watch for jelly fish, bull sharks, and rip tides. (Maybe I can move down there and take the stuff from the beach and sell it back. )But hey, the locals got what they want. They can now drive and park their vehicles anywhere on the beach - no tourists, no tourist crap.
We decided to make reservations one more time for Grayton next year. We haven't been there for two years because we went on other trips with friends and family. It's a good thing we like to ride our bikes down there - but that is another issue isn't it?
I don't know what happened down there. Are they putting something in your water? Is paradise boring? Should you move?
Don't bother to visit - most of the beaches and accesses are private. And don't bother to bring anything to the beach if you do decide to visit - it is open season on anything you take to the beach - if you can safely get in the water - watch for jelly fish, bull sharks, and rip tides. (Maybe I can move down there and take the stuff from the beach and sell it back. )But hey, the locals got what they want. They can now drive and park their vehicles anywhere on the beach - no tourists, no tourist crap.
We decided to make reservations one more time for Grayton next year. We haven't been there for two years because we went on other trips with friends and family. It's a good thing we like to ride our bikes down there - but that is another issue isn't it?
I don't know what happened down there. Are they putting something in your water? Is paradise boring? Should you move?
Beach Fanatic
UofL
Are you serious? Do you really think it is really ok to leave you junk all over the beach every night? My mom raised me to put my toys away every night before I went to bed - didn't yours?
Are you serious? Do you really think it is really ok to leave you junk all over the beach every night? My mom raised me to put my toys away every night before I went to bed - didn't yours?
SoWal Expert
I can see brochures for South Walton Beach now.
Don't bother to visit - most of the beaches and accesses are private. And don't bother to bring anything to the beach if you do decide to visit - it is open season on anything you take to the beach - if you can safely get in the water - watch for jelly fish, bull sharks, and rip tides. (Maybe I can move down there and take the stuff from the beach and sell it back. )But hey, the locals got what they want. They can now drive and park their vehicles anywhere on the beach - no tourists, no tourist crap.
We decided to make reservations one more time for Grayton next year. We haven't been there for two years because we went on other trips with friends and family. It's a good thing we like to ride our bikes down there - but that is another issue isn't it?
I don't know what happened down there. Are they putting something in your water? Is paradise boring? Should you move?
Yes, TRASH! The littering of the beaches and abuse of people's goodwill reached the point that folks started taking action so that when you visit there is a pretty beach instead of a pile of garbage.
Beach Fanatic
Looked at the Blue Mountain camera yesterday and again this morning. I could see what appeared to be two chairs in the distance and nothing else!!!!
GRAYT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GRAYT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SoWal Expert
Looked at the Blue Mountain camera yesterday and again this morning. I could see what appeared to be two chairs in the distance and nothing else!!!!
GRAYT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's because tourist season is over. I was the only person on Grayton beach for about an hour this morning, then 3 others showed up. Wish the clean beach was truly due to people being more thoughtful and cleaning up their stuff, and not due to the fact that there is hardly anybody here.
I did find a pair of shoes, a shirt, and a pair of shorts - but no apparent owner in sight. So whoever walked home naked and barefoot last night, your clothes are down at the beach.
Over the weekend- 3 or 4 tent structures, little trash compared to the summer amounts.
And UofL, driving is legal on Grayton Beach, but we have been through that argument. For now, it is legal. However, leaving your stuff on the beach overnight IS currently ILlegal. The laws are just being enforced - sorry if it inconveniences you. Maybe everyone that goes to our beautiful Louisville Olmstead parks like Cherokee and Seneca could leave tents, chairs, trash, and toys overnight all over the park. Bet that wouldn't fly for a week, much less all the time.:angry: The public outry would be amazing, so why criticize us wanting the same thing for our beaches?
SoWal Insider
UofL I actually never even thought of this as a local issue. I don't live in Sowal daily. But I do try to live there at least 2 weeks a year. I do want the beach clean when I'm there. I hate seeing junk on the beach. I always take my stuff home at the end of my day. Seems like everyone could do the same. 
Beach Fanatic
Jdarg,
You're right: The beach trashers have left!! (May they leave forever and be replaced with reasonable people)
I can't wait to get there in Sept. when the beaches are clean, the weather is cooler and the place is not so busy.
You're right: The beach trashers have left!! (May they leave forever and be replaced with reasonable people)
I can't wait to get there in Sept. when the beaches are clean, the weather is cooler and the place is not so busy.
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