Editor: I've been a resident of St. Augustine Beach since July 2010. My husband and I walk the beach daily. On these walks, I always collect trash left on the beach or whatever the ocean leaves at the shore. On Sunday, Feb. 27, I was appalled at the condition of our beach. Some person(s) thought making donuts in the sand with their vehicle would be fun and left such huge ruts in the sand it was impossible to walk in that area. Someone else went horseback riding on the beach leaving manure by the shore to be washed away by the ocean when high tide occurred. Others do not pick up after their dogs, children, or themselves. I cannot begin to tell you how much garbage (plastic bottles, toys, candy wrappers, beer cans, soda cans, etc) I picked up while walking Sunday. Our beach looked like a city dump. On Feb. 28, the trash was no better. We also witnessed someone riding a motorcycle on the beach where people were wading, walking, and sunbathing.
I realize tourism is important, however, people do not have the "right" to ruin our environment. Not only is St. Augustine Beach our home, it is also the home of a diversified number of wildlife. It's a shame people have no respect for laws, rules, or anything anymore.
If we don't have the resources to properly police our beaches in the off season, maybe we should consider either charging to drive on the beach year round or close the beach to vehicles during the off-season months.
When we moved here, we thought what a beautiful friendly place this is. It is still a very friendly city with lovely residents, but the beauty is going to disappear if we don't take action soon and protect our beach.
Anne M. O. Geloran
St. Augustine Beach
No comments:
Post a Comment