On Tuesday, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance that prohibits the feeding of birds at public beaches and county waterfront parks.
Originally, the ordinance would have prohibited people from feeding wildlife at any county-owned or leased property, including public parks.
But after hearing from the public and much deliberation among the Commissioners, it was decided that this ordinance would only pertain to the feeding of birds at public beaches and county waterfront parks that are south of the Choctawhatchee Bay.
This includes:
- Veterans Park
- Marler Park
- James Lee Park
According to County officials, feeding wildlife often has a detrimental rather than a helpful effect and may cause some species to concentrate so much on this supplemental feeding that they become a nuisance or threat to people.
The first violation will result in a verbal warning and a second violation will result in a $100 fine. Third violation will result in a $250 fine and a misdemeanor.
