Areas of Interest
| Litter Newsletter |
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Keep Wakulla Beautiful Litter is a costly solid waste management problem that affects the economy, environment, and our overall quality of life in Wakulla County. Statewide, millions of dollars are spent each year to clean up roadways, parking lots, public lands, rivers, streams, beaches and other recreation areas.We have long been involved in the litter reduction efforts with our Keep Wakulla County Beautiful partners. We've worked hard to promote education, beautification and held many clean up efforts. In 1993, the Florida Legislature established a statewide litter reduction goal. It was then, as Sheriff, I realized the direct connection between litter and crime. Presently, there seems to be confusion and concern over the current law prohibiting vehicles carrying loads to the landfill which are uncovered and unsecured. Let me give it to you straight from Florida Statute, 316.520; A vehicle may not be driven or moved on any highway unless the vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent any of its' load from dropping, shifting, leaking, blowing or otherwise escaping therefrom, covering and securing the load with a close-fitting tarpaulin or other appropriate cover or a load securing device. This is pretty straightforward and needs little or no interpretation. However, to further clarify this issue, the other appropriate cover can be a knit type device covering the load or a securing type device, such as a rubber strap securing the load to the vehicle. Garbage bags which are tied close can be strapped into the open area of the truck bed but must be strapped down with a securing device to prevent movement during transport. Ecological trimmings such as tree trimmings; leaves, bushes etc, have to be covered with a tarpaulin type device or another appropriate device (knit cover, cloth cover, etc.) to prevent movement during transport. This is a good and fair law to all people. It was enacted to prevent litter from degrading the ecological sound and sensitive highways. We will enforce this law assertively and aggressively in the future. In summary, if you use a strap securing device to mobilize your sealed garbage bags, you may haul without a cover. If you are transporting any material that will blow around use an appropriate cover to prevent extraction out of the vehicle. Construction debris and household items are the most common items defacing our home, Wakulla County. It's spring and time to spring clean! Therefore, we are stepping up our enforcement program. Our present programs will be strengthened and we will coordinate our efforts with other enforcement agencies (D.O.T, F.H.P, F.W.C., and our Federal authorities etc.) within Wakulla County. Effective immediately, we are raising the awareness of litter laws, litter fines, and the issuance of litter citations when and where violations occur. Step up, and help Keep Wakulla County Beautiful!
David F. Harvey |