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Charleston, SC -
There is a new warning for boaters who head to Morris Island. Authorities are cracking down on littering on the island after 1,000 pounds of trash were hauled off the popular beach last weekend.
Morris Island looked more like a landfill than one of Charleston most pristine beaches on July 4th weekend.
“It was from one side of Cummings Point to another,” Elizabeth Wenner said. Wenner was one of the many people relaxing on the beach last weekend. “I tried to pick it up and consolidate it as much as I could, but it was difficult because there was so much of it.”
The trash included beer cans and bottles, clothing, towels and even flip flops.
A handful of volunteers pitched in and cleaned it up, but now they are worried the problem will just continue.
Some people are asking why authorities do not put trash cans on Morris Island. Officials with the Department of Natural Resources say it is just not affordable. The agency has taken a 38 percent budget cut this year alone.
“In these economic times in city, county and state governments, we cannot hire trash men to go out there and clean up after people,” Sergeant Lee Ellis with DNR explained.
Morris Island is owned by the City of Charleston. Mayor Joe Riley has said the city is working on a management plan for the island, but there is no money for dumpsters.
“There is no trash company that works the water,” Ellis continued. “Morris Island is an independent island. There are no contractors to go out there on a boat and pick up the garbage.”
City leaders are now planning to beef up patrols, put out signs warning against littering and even issue tickets. Those fines could range up to $520, but some say the best fix is also the easiest.
“If you bring it with you, take it when you go,” Wenner advised.
Some boaters are concerned about taking their litter with them on the ride back to shore. They say if authorities on the water find empty beer cans on board, they are more likely to get slapped with a boating under the influence ticket. Officials with the Department of Natural Resources disagree, saying beer cans are just one clue they notice. They say a better indicator is how the captain of the vessel is behaving.
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