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
658
Beach Fanatic
It is amazing to me that people think it is okay to leave things on the beach. Would you leave them in a city park? At a ball field after the game is over?
Is there anywhere else that you would leave your stuff when you have left?
If not, then why do you think it's okay to leave it on the beach?
It is beyond my comprehension. It would never occur to me to leave my chair on the beach when I am leaving the beach.
Never mind leaving their "things" on the beach...but their garbage? right where they sit? from peanut shells and cigarette butts to condoms and toilets!! And the SLT's..****ty little toys.
I know pigs do it.
Meow
I'm not really sure where this went so crazy, but the bottom line is very simple...PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR STUFF FROM THE BEACH AT THE END OF THE DAY. IMH, if you want to carry/drive your entire house contents down to the beach, go ahead. Just take it back with you, along with your trash from the day, or the JUDGE will fine you. 
Also...turtles cannot read, so public v. private makes no sense to them...or me for that matter.
Also...turtles cannot read, so public v. private makes no sense to them...or me for that matter.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
needs to get out more
Yeah, I love critters seacrestkristi, and I have read the turtles posts throughout this thread, and the only turtle nesting area that we see anyway near us is down towards Pinnacle Port and it is roped off with a sign stating such. People are constantly walking the beach at night, at least we see many when sitting out on our deck at night, does that not disturb the turtles also? It wasn't so much them sitting in our chairs as them leaving the bottles out there for us to have to clean up. But I'm not getting into the ongoing arguments in this thread at all. We won't be leaving them out there anymore if they are threatening to remove peoples tents and chairs and umbrellas that are left out overnight, despite the fact we are on a private stretch of beach. Not replying anymore on this thread, too many harsh words going on between other posters.
gonna try to warp my head around the logic of this one. As a beachfront owner, and a poster on this thread, you're fully aware of the hazards stuff left on the beach pose to the turtles. The turtles respect your private beach and don't nest there. If people didn't use your chairs and leave their litter for you to deal with, you'd still leave your stuff down there, despite the ordinance and the aforementioned hazards. finally, you're only moving your stuff due to the threat of losing it.
Meow
To to the owner of the blue tent left on the beach at BMB...
REMOVE IT OR LOSE IT!!! :nono1:
I am watching you.
REMOVE IT OR LOSE IT!!! :nono1:
I am watching you.
Admin
Thanks for reminding me.
Peanut shells, lemon wedges, watermelon rinds, other food items, and half-burned charcoal are not OK to leave on the beach just because they are bio degradable. They are still garbage.
Peanut shells, lemon wedges, watermelon rinds, other food items, and half-burned charcoal are not OK to leave on the beach just because they are bio degradable. They are still garbage.
SoWal Expert
Most "bio-degradable" items take YEARS to break down, so unless they are in your compost heap, they're trash!
SoWal Expert
Is it really a big deal to leave two beach chairs and your umbrella out there at night so you don't have to tote them down there every day???That isn't all that people do to the chairs left on the beach.We stay on a private part of the beach and have in past years left them out there until we found that someone was sitting in them at night and drinking beer and then leaving their beer bottles by our chairs. Who knows what else they may have been doing. After that, we started taking them back up every evening. But we left them out during the day as we went back out there later in the day.
Yes, it is a big deal to leave out two chairs and an umbrella. Perhaps, if there were only two people in SoWal, then it wouldn't be a big deal, but ...
SoWal Expert
Alright, gonna try to to get this discussion out of lunacy and back into productiveness.
Grayton looked great last night- only 2 tents up when we were there, which is amazing since there were quite a few people there yesterday afternoon. Last week, there were at least 10-12 tents, with one being a semi-permanent boat storage type structure.
I'm thinking that the improvement is due to a combo of things- first, the rental agencies making the "Move it or Lose it" warning available to their customers. Very proactive for the agency employees' mental health, because you know when people's things are confiscated, the first phone call will be an irate one to the rental agency wondering why their crap n the beach was removed.
Second, the season seems to be drying up quickly. Last week seemed half as crowded as the week before, and so on. Yesterday morning, we were one of 3 small groups on the beach until at least 10 am, and it was a beautiful Sunday morning. Later, it looked like more locals than visitors.
Trash was a tad lighter, although this weekend's haul was 2 chairs (one broken), 2 really ugly pairs of flip flops, and one brand new net, in addition to the regular garbage.
Last week, I happened to be standing near 2 tents that had been tagged, and overheard the occupants discussing the tags. From what I could hear of their conversations, they honestly hadn't given much thought before about leaving their stuff at the beach. They were not upset or mad- they just needed to be educated a bit. After talking to one family, they were all about "doing it right" in the future.
Grayton looked great last night- only 2 tents up when we were there, which is amazing since there were quite a few people there yesterday afternoon. Last week, there were at least 10-12 tents, with one being a semi-permanent boat storage type structure.
I'm thinking that the improvement is due to a combo of things- first, the rental agencies making the "Move it or Lose it" warning available to their customers. Very proactive for the agency employees' mental health, because you know when people's things are confiscated, the first phone call will be an irate one to the rental agency wondering why their crap n the beach was removed.
Second, the season seems to be drying up quickly. Last week seemed half as crowded as the week before, and so on. Yesterday morning, we were one of 3 small groups on the beach until at least 10 am, and it was a beautiful Sunday morning. Later, it looked like more locals than visitors.
Trash was a tad lighter, although this weekend's haul was 2 chairs (one broken), 2 really ugly pairs of flip flops, and one brand new net, in addition to the regular garbage.
Last week, I happened to be standing near 2 tents that had been tagged, and overheard the occupants discussing the tags. From what I could hear of their conversations, they honestly hadn't given much thought before about leaving their stuff at the beach. They were not upset or mad- they just needed to be educated a bit. After talking to one family, they were all about "doing it right" in the future.
Edited
SoWal Expert
Yeah, I love critters seacrestkristi, and I have read the turtles posts throughout this thread, and the only turtle nesting area that we see anyway near us is down towards Pinnacle Port and it is roped off with a sign stating such.
I don't understand your point. Are you suggesting that the signs and ropes are put up to inform the turtles where they can nest?
SoWal Expert
I don't understand your point. Are you suggesting that the signs and ropes are put up to inform the turtles where they can nest?
Their OB/GYN tells them the location of the nearest "birthing facility".Beach Lover
We have been up and down the beaches of SoWal for over 30 years and noticed the seemingly slow increase in beach crap over the years, but most recently the prolireation of those tarps and tents and leftover rustung beach chairs and umbrellas has just been awful to look at. An ordinance on the books and some beach-by-beach signage would certainly help and if it didn't, then the beach patrol could clear the beaches of that trash whenever possible, or volunteers could certainly perform that same task authorized by that ordinance. We like to see the beach, not piles of rusting, unraveling plastic beach chairs and torn umbrellas, sagging tarps and shelters, flaping tents.
Thanks for the space. Peace, Love and Truth.
Thanks for the space. Peace, Love and Truth.
SoWal Insider
I don't understand your point. Are you suggesting that the signs and ropes are put up to inform the turtles where they can nest?
No, SJ, I am making the point that they have that roped off there to let people know there is a turtle nesting spot there of course. Not hard to figure out I don't think. But I've yet to see any turtles at night coming up on the beach to nest the times we did ever walk the beach at night. I am sure there is a certain time of the year that they nest the most whenever that may be I do not know.
SoWal Expert
No, SJ, I am making the point that they have that roped off there to let people know there is a turtle nesting spot there of course. Not hard to figure out I don't think. But I've yet to see any turtles at night coming up on the beach to nest the times we did ever walk the beach at night. I am sure there is a certain time of the year that they nest the most whenever that may be I do not know.Maybe you don't see the turtles because they are scared away by people, or maybe they come ashore in the wee hours of the morning, after all the people have gone to bed.
The turtles we do have are few in numbers, so you would be lucky to see one, even swimming in the water, and your chances of seeing a female turtle, on the rare occasion when they come ashore, would be even less. I've lived here several years, and I'm often paddling on the Gulf. In my years living here, I've seen sea turtles on only four occasions. If you visit here only once or twice a year, you are extremely lucky if you see a sea turtle.
Beach Fanatic
I honestly cant believe that people think it is ok to leave things on the beach overnight. If I came to your town and went to your local lake, swimming pool, park or whatever and left a few chairs, tents, umbrella and the necessary bags etc to haul them down there for a few days would you like the look of the place? Now multiply that by 10,000 other folks just like me and you have the dilemma we have here. I am sorry but I honestly think some people come down here for vacation and leave their brains at home. If you are too lazy or have too many kids or cant go enjoy the beach without a weeks supply of toys,coolers, etc. (can we say "high maintenance"?I knew we could) then dont come to a place that respectfully asks you to to remove your "GEAR" when you are not with it. I mean how are we to know that you didnt check out yesterday and "are too lazy or have too many kids or cant go enjoy the beach without a weeks supply of toys,coolers, etc." and didnt want to load it in your vehicle?
/end rant
and I wont even go into the effects on turtles and other environmental issues...........
/end rant
and I wont even go into the effects on turtles and other environmental issues...........
Edited
Beach Fanatic
IRIETYMES jodiFL Thanks for the grayt input. 
Beach Fanatic
Hi and thanks for the welcome.Also, just take a look at the beach cam. Doesnt it look really nice right now? No tents etc?
Edited
SoWal Expert
We all "get it" that it is not right to leave your stuff on the beach, but as I said before, people see other people doing it and think it is OK. The problem has been identified, re-identified, analyzed, scrutinized, and turned inside out, and now we need to move on to the solutions. Most of those people who leave their stuff on the beach don't read this board and are not educated about "beach rules" (sorry Kurt, I AM trying to convert the masses one lost soul at a time :roll: ).
Anyway, the tagging system is a good start. Also, striking up conversations with people on the beach is a great way to enlighten people. Some will appreciate the info, others will not, but if you can change one person's mind here and there, it's better than nothing, right? And you will know after 2 minutes of conversation with someone whether or not they will want to hear your message. If you end up talking to a "chucklehead" (ripped off from Johnr), move on and let their stuff be removed by the county.
NoHall gets the award for her fabulous sense of humor- despite it all.
Anyway, the tagging system is a good start. Also, striking up conversations with people on the beach is a great way to enlighten people. Some will appreciate the info, others will not, but if you can change one person's mind here and there, it's better than nothing, right? And you will know after 2 minutes of conversation with someone whether or not they will want to hear your message. If you end up talking to a "chucklehead" (ripped off from Johnr), move on and let their stuff be removed by the county.
NoHall gets the award for her fabulous sense of humor- despite it all.
hmmmm......can't remember
Alright, gonna try to to get this discussion out of lunacy and back into productiveness...Last week, I happened to be standing near 2 tents that had been tagged, and overheard the occupants discussing the tags. From what I could hear of their conversations, they honestly hadn't given much thought before about leaving their stuff at the beach. They were not upset or mad- they just needed to be educated a bit. After talking to one family, they were all about "doing it right" in the future.
That was my point in telling y'all about my friend (ex-friend, the @#$% turtle-hating wench!) Y'all keep making analogies to leaving stuff in a park, etc., but it's a poor analogy, especially for people who are renting beachfront.
Would I leave a chair/tent/canoe out if I was renting a cabin on a lakefront? Yes, I would. Unenlightened, uneducated-about-the-facts people, (who probably voted for Bush and drive Priuses) think it's okay, especially in areas that either don't have signs or where they see other stuff left overnight.
I think that someone should sit out there with a grenade launcher and kill these poor bat-turds and all their plastic-toy-totin' spawn...
(Or wait and see how the tagging works.)
NoHall gets the award for her fabulous sense of humor- despite it all.
Sense of humor? I still say it's a virus.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Second, the season seems to be drying up quickly. Last week seemed half as crowded as the week before, and so on. Yesterday morning, we were one of 3 small groups on the beach until at least 10 am, and it was a beautiful Sunday morning. Later, it looked like more locals than visitors.
I believe that some of the schools in Georgia started back this week. That may explain why the beach isn't as crowded.
Beach Fanatic
Anyway, the tagging system is a good start.
I think it should be taken up by the rental agents and put on the flyers that tell about the flag system etc. Or even mailed out to ALL persons that own/rent property here that this new ordinance is in effect. There are so many FRBO units that just letting property managers know isnt going to work. I also think that when the TDC drives the beach to collect trash that anything they see is removed. Not just one or two days a week. I realize that is going to cost anyone (agents,homeowners,the TDC) more $ to print up these things but it needs to be done.ASAP.
SoWal Expert
I don't think they can just remove whatever they see, as they have no way of knowing if it is an item that was put out that day or left overnight (I can think of some ways, but none that could be proven at a later date). I think the tags/24 hour time limit is their way of protecting themselves and warning people.
Hopefully they will up the number of sweeps/passes per week as the word gets out.
Hopefully they will up the number of sweeps/passes per week as the word gets out.
Beach Fanatic
I think that someone should sit out there with a grenade launcher and kill these poor bat-turds and all their plastic-toy-totin' spawn...
URADQ :roll:
URADQ :roll:
hmmmm......can't remember
URADQ :roll:
:scratch:
You are a Dairy Queen?
Uranium-Rich Arabs Don't Quit?
Under Romania Are Donkey Queens?
Urban Royalty Arrive Donning Quilts?
Uber Radical, A La Don Quioxote?
Beach Fanatic
In an effort to promote the "Move it or Lose It" campaign to our customers, I stopped by the TDC reception center this morning. The kindly volunteer ladies on staff had very little knowledge of the campaign and not a single brochure or poster.
They refered me to code enforcement where, guess what? They had no printed materials either.
I'm all for the ordinance and its enforcement. However, I think it's only fair to warn the weekly tourists before simply taking their stuff without tagging (as is done with all items near a TDC access).
Hopefully they will get a better info campaign going soon.
They refered me to code enforcement where, guess what? They had no printed materials either.
I'm all for the ordinance and its enforcement. However, I think it's only fair to warn the weekly tourists before simply taking their stuff without tagging (as is done with all items near a TDC access).
Hopefully they will get a better info campaign going soon.
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