The regulations in Panama City Beach have recently been revised, prohibiting the leaving of wooden beach chairs on the beach overnight after October. In response, beach vendors sought a compromise solution that would enable them to continue offering wooden loungers and allow the entire beach to be raked once a week. On Thursday, December 10, the City Council passed a resolution that allows vendors to store wooden beach chairs on the beach overnight, as long as they move them close to the dune when necessary for raking. The schedule permits all areas of Panama City Beach's beach to be raked from coast to dune once a week. Starting last Thursday, vendors can keep their wooden beach chairs in the sand for another year, but only if they remove them in time for workers at the Panama City Beach Tourism Development Council to do their weekly raking.
This decision has been met with mixed reactions from locals and activists. As director of Panama City Beach Turtle Watch, Kennard Watson said he believes that this decision perpetuates one of the greatest threats that sea turtles face when they try to nest on the Gulf Coast. He is not alone in his opinion; many anti-sea turtle activists are voicing their disapproval of this decision. Despite this opposition, it appears that wooden beach chairs will remain in Panama City Beach for at least another year. However, it is essential for vendors and beachgoers alike to remember that these chairs must be moved close to the dune when necessary for raking. This will help ensure that Panama City Beach remains a safe and enjoyable place for both humans and wildlife. The resolution passed by the City Council is a compromise between vendors and activists.
It allows vendors to continue offering wooden loungers while also protecting sea turtles from potential harm. It is important for everyone involved to remember that these chairs must be moved close to the dune when necessary for raking. This will help ensure that Panama City Beach remains a safe and enjoyable place for both humans and wildlife. The future of wooden beach chairs in Panama City Beach is uncertain. The resolution passed by the City Council is a compromise between vendors and activists, but it is unclear how long it will remain in effect.
This will help ensure that Panama City Beach remains a safe and enjoyable place for both humans and wildlife.
