City of Lake Charles

SWLA Team Green

Litter Law Luncheon

March 18, 2008

Cost of Litter Financial Impact on State

• Each year Louisiana spends more than $14 million to clean litter from highways.

• According to Keep Louisiana Beautiful, in 2004 the state and sheriff cleanup crews picked up an estimated 450,000 bags of trash.

• State law allows penalties for litterers that range form $50 to $5,000. Those who litter also can be sentenced to between four and 10 hours of community service, suspension of their driver’s licenses for one year and even jail time for up to 30 days.

Data collected from Jay Dardenne, Secretary of State http://www.jaydardenne.com/node/92

The Greater Cost of LitterEconomic Impact

• Two-thirds of college-educated 25 to 34 year-olds report that they will make the decision of where they live first, then look for a job within that area.

• Quality of life, safe and clean neighborhoods, recreational parks, green space, and community pride are just some of the factors considered by people when they are searching for a place to live.

• A welcoming place that offers professional career options, short commute times, excellent schools, and diverse social interactions.

CEOs for Cities media release June 9, 2006

The Greater Cost of LitterHealth & Environmental Issues

• Cigarette litter contains toxic chemicals that can end up in storm drains and contaminate our water systems.

• Trash and falling items from unsecured loads can cause serious traffic accidents. Debris on roadways nationwide causes 25,000 accidents each year and more than 80 fatalities.*

• Dumping tires and small/large household appliances can release dangerous gases and toxins which can harm our children, pets, and local wildlife.

* http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

2007 Official Keep America Beautiful Wrap-Up ReportCity of Lake Charles-Team Green of Southwest LA

• Number of Events Held: 7• Number of Volunteers: 637• Number of Hours: 2817• Pound of litter, debris & bulky waste collected: 78,625• Miles of streets, highways-cleaned and beautified: 43,105• Acres of parks/public lands cleaned: 243• Pounds of aluminum/steel collected for recycling: 30,000• Pounds of newspaper collected for recycling: 500• Number of tires collected for recycling: 8664• Number of batteries collected for recycling: 145• Pounds of electronics recycled: 5768

Keeping Lake Charles Litter FreeOrdinance Number 14179

• Ordinance Number 14179 prohibits litter and prohibits permitting the disposal of litter on public and private property, on roadways and waterways.

• This includes business and personal property and the adjacent rights-of-way and roadways.

• The Litter Ordinance allows any citizen to report litter to the Ward 3 City Marshal’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies, which have the power to issue a citation or summons to the offender.

City Council to Hear Litter Ordinance #14179 Amendment

• The City Council will hear an amendment of the Code of Ordinances as it pertains to Ordinance #14179 at the City Council meeting on March 19, 2008.

• As part of this campaign, the City is challenging businesses to come together and get involved in cleaning up their properties and protecting our environment. Additionally, expectations and goals for the appearance and condition of our community will be adopted with the intent that they will become part of our standards as a city.

Continued on next slide

City Council to Hear Litter Ordinance #14179 Amendment (con’t)

1. First Violation – up to $100

2. Second and subsequent violations - up to $500

3. Although a single item of litter shall constitute a civil offense under this section, a single civil penalty shall be imposed on multiple litter violations occurring with a 24 month period.

4. Above fines are recoverable by civil action before any court of competent jurisdiction.

5. A criminal conviction is not required to impose the above fines.

• The proposed amendment speaks to regulation of litter around local businesses as well as outlining fines:

Litter Education Campaign• What is it? An ongoing effort by

the City to educate the general public, local businesses, and elementary school children about the importance of not littering.

• Why? To help address the litter problem in our City.

• How? Litter ordinance flyers and informational brochures will be circulated to the public by way of water bill inserts, community meetings, elementary schools, and the City’s website at www.cityoflakecharles.com.

To Report Littering Activity

Ward 3 City Marshal

By Email – litter@ward3marshal.org

By Phone – 438-laws (5297)