(1) The Legislature finds that a comprehensive illegal dumping, litter, and marine debris control and prevention program is necessary to protect the beauty and the environment of Florida. The Legislature also recognizes that a comprehensive illegal dumping, litter, and marine debris control and prevention program will have a positive effect on the state’s economy. The Legislature finds that the state’s rapid population growth, the ever-increasing mobility of its population, and the large number of tourists contribute to the need for a comprehensive illegal dumping, litter, and marine debris control and prevention program. The Legislature further finds that the program must be coordinated and capable of having statewide identity and grassroots community support.
(2) The comprehensive illegal dumping, litter, and marine debris control and prevention program at a minimum must include the following:(a) A local public awareness and educational campaign to educate individuals, government, businesses, and other organizations concerning the role they must assume in preventing and controlling litter.
(b) Enforcement provisions authorized under s. 403.413. (c) Enforcement officers whose responsibilities include grassroots education along with enforcing litter and illegal dumping violations.
(d) Local illegal dumping, litter, and marine debris control and prevention programs operated at the county level with emphasis placed on grassroots educational programs designed to prevent and remove litter and marine debris.
(e) A statewide adopt-a-highway program as authorized under s. 403.4131. (f) The highway beautification program authorized under s. 339.2405. (g) A statewide Adopt-a-Shore program that includes beach, river, and lake shorelines and emphasizes litter and marine debris cleanup and prevention.
(h) The prohibition of balloon releases as authorized under s. 379.233. (i) The placement of approved identifiable litter and recycling receptacles.
(j) Other educational programs that are implemented at the grassroots level involving volunteers and community programs that clean up and prevent litter, including Youth Conservation Corps activities.
