County cracks down on driving in beach conservation zones
Beachgoers who have been caught on video driving illegally in the conservation zone on their way to the New Smyrna Beach side of Ponce de Leon Inlet are the target of an aggressive crackdown and beach education effort by the County.
"In spite of our success in enforcing the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and informing our beachgoers of the need to protect our beach environment, there are people who choose to do the wrong thing," said County Manager Cindy Coto. "We are required to enforce the provisions of our Habitat Conservation Plan or risk sanctions or loss of the permit."
The County Manager said under a worse case scenario, this could mean further limitations on beach driving or parking. While there are very few actual violations of the HCP since it was issued to the County seven years ago, Coto said the Coastal Property Coalition – a citizen’s group dedicated to eliminating beach driving on the dry sand – captured on video motorists who drove illegally into the dune area to avoid unusually high tides. The video has been forwarded to federal government officials who are deliberating Volusia’s application to renew the HCP for 25 years.
"We believe these beach driving violations occurred in September when tides were unusually high because of Atlantic storms," the County Manager said. "These violators mostly appear to be surfers and anglers going to and from the Inlet from the Beachway approach. Since this is a very narrow stretch of beach, driving can be difficult during unusually high tides."
The County is intensifying its enforcement efforts, Coto said. This likely will rankle the surfing community because it’s probable a few sections of the beach from Flagler Avenue north will be closed more frequently in response to prevailing beach conditions. Parking in the area also may be limited when tides are extremely high.
Among the steps the County is taking, beach education teams began walking the affected area to inform beachgoers of the need to keep their vehicles out of the conservation zone. Staff members from County Environmental Management and the Beach Patrol are explaining the possible consequences of violating the zones.
In addition, the Beach Patrol will issue citations – not warnings – for driving or parking in the conservation zones, according to Beach Safety Director Kevin Sweat. Citations can range from $15-76 and may include points against a driver’s license, Sweat said. Officers also will be stationed near the affected zone at high tides to deter would-be violators.
Zones are marked by teal poles set parallel to the dunes. Additional poles have been installed to deter drivers from maneuvering around them at high tide to reach the area near the south jetty.
County Environmental Management is working closely with Beach Safety to address the violations.
"We have to help people understand they must respect the conservation areas if they want to continue to drive on the beach," said Steve Kintner, Environmental Management director. "It’s as simple as that."
The HCP limits driving in areas based on many factors including the frequency of sea turtle nesting patterns, Kintner said. The plan prohibits driving along some sections of the beach. Other areas have conservation zones that stretch from 15-30 feet seaward from the dunes.
To report violations, please call Volusia County Beach Safety at (386) 239-6484 or (386) 424-2345 between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. After hours, please call the Volusia County Sheriff's Office at (386) 248-1777 or (386) 423-3888. Press 0 after the prompt
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