Sallie Dickinson and her family enjoy the sandyshorenear Topsail Island, but they also remember to take care of the beach by picking up trash.
Dickinson stated, “That’s kinda our rule.” “Whenever we go to the beach, we take any trash with us.
Dickinson, presidentof the soundsidehomeowners association Queens Grant in Topsail Beach said that it’s something that many people do to maintain a clean environment. While paper, cups and bottles are easy-to-see, many people don’t know about the problem polystyrene foam that can be found on docks.
Topsail Beach is currently working on a new ordinance to ban unencapsulated polystyrene from dock floats and buoys in local waters. It’s one of many efforts of an island-wideenvironmental management initiative, which also includes Surf City and North Topsail Beach.
According to a sample ordinance polystyrene can be described as a petroleum product. It is also commonly known as Styrofoam. Because it can float in water, it is commonly used in dock floats. It is neither recyclable nor biodegradable. It takes hundreds of years for the environment to degrade. It can be inhaled by wild and domestic animals, as well as marine life, when it is exposed to the elements.
Dickinson stated that if the town intervened to give more mandates, it would not hurt his feelings. “Any light that can shine on environmental issues, we support because if we don’t step up, things can quickly go south in such delicate echo systems.”
With support from the Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Pender County Tourism Department the Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Commission are working together. Participants created “BEeachCLEAN” in order to stop littering and other environmental problems.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF), is also involved in this effort.
Kerri Allen is a coastal advocate and the Southeast regional manager of NCCF. She said that this is something that a lot property owners don’t think about when it involves the environment. She hopes to educate property owners on how they can save money and help the environment by building more durable decks.
First in the State?
Camden, Maine had a similar ordinance. It required the hardencapsulation and installation of floating docks. Instead of melting all the beads together, it has an expanded foam core. You can also melt a hard shell.
Allen stated that Topsail Beach will become the first North Carolina town to regulate floating dock materials if it moves forward with ordinance.
Allen stated, “We’re really excited they’ve been such strong voice on this. We’re excited to use it for a pilot ordinance und hopefully have other municipalities adopt similar language.”
Officials noticed areas where private docks and piers had been completely destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Florence 2018. Aerial images from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NCCF collaborated with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Coastal Management to launch a marine debris cleanup that received state funding from legislators.
Local fishermen were hired and crews hired. They removed about 1 ton of debris each day, which is roughly 2,000 pounds.
Allen stated that two years later, they had actually caught 2,000,000 pounds and are still chasing it out on our coast.”
Officials estimate that 80% is from the docks or piers. This led to town and environmental leaders to push for better docks and receive input from stakeholders, contractorsandengineers. The organization is still developing plans. One recommendation was to encapsulate polystyrene on floating docks. Debris crews found polystyrene in the marsh, with swabs measuring 30-to-50 feet.
Allen stated that anyone who has ever seen a Styrofoam or other dissolvable cup knows that once millions of beads are in the environment, they won’t be getting rid of them. “They get into the marsh, into water, into our seafood, and into wildlife.”
What’s next?
Topsail Beach commissioners approve the ordinance. Residents who have unencapsulated boats will be grandfathered into the system until a new boat is built. Christina Burke, assistant town manager said that the town doesn’t keep a count on uncapped docks.
Burke stated, “At this stage, the board doesn’t have an appetite for saying ‘OK. In five years, everyone has to come into conformity.'” It’s going to be one those phasing outs of things that need to be repaired or changed.
Allen stated that most people prefer the encapsulated dock to protect them from storms.
“Certainly older structures have it, where it’s just a hunks of polystyrene wrapped around filter cloth. It’s something that animals can get into and start nibbling on it and it starts separating pretty quickly,” she explained. “I don’t expect a lot of resistance because it is a superior product that more people are moving towards.”
Burke indicated that a draft ordinance could be presented at an April meeting. Although she doesn’t anticipate a lot of new environmental rules to be presented in the future it will be important to educate the public. The main points are to use trash containers, not bring glass to the beaches, pick up after pets, and fill holes on the beaches to help sea turtles.
Scott Franko, a participant inthe “BEeachCLEAN”, is currently working on branding efforts. The campaign is also receiving support for joining the federal and state “Leave No Trace” programs.
Franko stated, “It’s basically about trying to educate people, remind them,hey, as we all flock to places of public use like beaches, mountains or wherever tourism is, it’s time to get rid of the stadium mentality where people just show up, have a good time and make a mess and assume that someone will come around after they leave to clean up,” “That is not the case.”
Steven G. Smith is the mayor of Topsail beach. Although the ordinance is only a step, it could have an effect if there are storms or other weather conditions where docks become damaged and end up in local marshes.
Smith stated that “it’s one thing communities can do in order to reduce the impact of microplastics on our environment.” “Everybody must do their part and look long-term at what they’re doing.
Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at [email protected].