Bradenton Beach commissioners June 5 contemplated a proposed prohibition on metal digging tools on beaches to improve public safety and protect sea turtles.
The proposed ordinance would prohibit people from using metal shovels and other tools to dig deep holes.
“I think it is needed,” Mayor John Chappie said, emphasizing that the city’s intent is not to target families or hobbyists but to encourage responsible behavior.
Charlie Hunsicker, director of Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department, has asked the island cities to adopt ordinances modeled on the county’s rules for the properties it manages — Coquina and Cortez beaches in Bradenton Beach, Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach and Bayfront Park in Anna Maria.
However, Bradenton Beach city attorney Ricinda Perry said the city could enforce the county rules through its civil citation process.
“We have concurrent jurisdiction on the beaches,” she said. “If the county has an ordinance with a fine, then we can apply that here.”
Perry also said existing city regulations prohibit sand excavation on the beach: “It says no person in a park shall dig, remove or displace any beach sand.”
Still, citations for holes in Bradenton Beach have gone largely unenforced. Police Chief John Cosby said without meaningful penalties, warnings often are ignored.
The proposed ordinance before Bradenton Beach commissioners is similar to an ordinance that Holmes Beach commissioners gave a first reading in late May. Meanwhile, Anna Maria officials
are reviewing a rule banning shovels longer than 14 inches and requiring all holes be filled.
As local governments move to align with the county, metal detectorists, many of whom use specialized metal sand scoops, are voicing concern.
The Islander spoke June 4 with members of the Manatee Search and Recovery metal detecting club, who said they hope city and county officials recognize the positive contributions detectorists make to the community.
“We find a lot of lost items for people,” said detectorist John Pontier. “We also dig a lot of trash — way more trash than treasure, honestly. At the end of the day, our pouches are full of bottle caps, sharp metal objects and all kinds of debris that don’t belong on a beach where families are walking barefoot.”
Deborah Magnin, a longtime detectorist on AMI, added, “I think I could speak for most of us in the group by saying that we are not the people who leave big holes. … When I go out in the morning to detect, I always find huge holes that have been dug by beach visitors that clearly are not made with a detecting scoop.”
“We respect the environment, we keep it clean and we play a small part in making sure it’s safe and enjoyable for everyone,” Pontier said.
Bradenton Beach commissioners are expected to revisit the issue during a June 25 meeting at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.