The mass of tents causes problems for vendors who rent beach equipment. Fights have nearly broken out between vendors and visitors who refuse to move their tents, said city code enforcement officer James Tindle.
“The last thing you want is to fight with someone over tents,” Tindle said. “This problem is not going away until something is done.”
Tindle said the tents have become so inexpensive that some parts of the beach look like a “metal recycling yard” because of the aluminum tent poles left behind. Baby sea turtles emerging from their nests at night “get tangled up in that spider web of tents,” he said.
The city grappled with the problem in summer 2009 and crafted an ordinance requiring removal of all personal property overnight, a proposal mirrored after a “Leave-No-Trace-Behind” ordinance in South Walton County.
The measure was abandoned in February 2010 because of the expense of tagging and storing the left-behind stuff, including tents and other “tangible personal property” such as cabanas, volleyball nets, beach chairs, floats and other watercraft.
KurtKurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
KurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin4,546 views
I haven't heard much this year. Has it been a problem? This article about problems to the east makes me think we need to continue our efforts to keep our beaches clutter free.
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tsutclitsutcliBeach FanaticSeacrest914 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
tsutcliBeach FanaticSeacrest914 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticIn all the discussions about this topic, I've never seen anyone express any concern about the leakage of motor oil, grease, transmission oil, antifreeze, etc. that leaks from almost every car and truck that drives onto the sand. Some of the wrecks I've seen down there are not well maintained I'm sure. Shouldn't some sort of inspection of the vehicle take place before issuing a permit (other than is it 4-wheel drive)? For all the railing that goes on about the various things that negatively ( both real and imagined) affect the quality and beauty of the beach, this seems to be ignored. I guess tradition trumps.
lenzoelenzoeBeach FanaticAtlanta/Seagrove595 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
lenzoeBeach FanaticAtlanta/Seagrove595 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticIn all the discussions about this topic, I've never seen anyone express any concern about the leakage of motor oil, grease, transmission oil, antifreeze, etc. that leaks from almost every car and truck that drives onto the sand. Some of the wrecks I've seen down there are not well maintained I'm sure. Shouldn't some sort of inspection of the vehicle take place before issuing a permit (other than is it 4-wheel drive)? For all the railing that goes on about the various things that negatively ( both real and imagined) affect the quality and beauty of the beach, this seems to be ignored. I guess tradition trumps.
Driving on the beach is one of those religious issues where people on either side aren't ever going to agree. If I had a 4WD and beached at Grayton, I'd probably be one of the yahoos who love it. Although then I'd have to be next to all them other yahoos with 4WDs, so maybe I wouldn't love it so much after all.
So, on second thought, ban it! ;-)
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