As of last week, anyone caught throwing trash into a harbor dumpster, other than household garbage by a boat owner, could face a $150 fine.
The borough assembly on Feb. 27 adopted two ordinances: One which specifies in municipal code that the port and harbor dumpsters are for use by vessel owners only, and a second ordinance that imposes the $150 fine.
Assembly members voted unanimously to adopt the new rules. No one from the public testified on either ordinance.
The port commission had recommended the new provisions in borough code in hopes that the fine would deter non-harbor tenants from dumping household garbage and everyone from tossing old fishing nets, construction trash, oils and other hazardous waste into the trash bins.
Through the years, people have dumped car parts, kitchen appliances, waste oil, bags of cement and construction debris in the dumpsters.
Surveillance cameras which are being installed at all of Wrangell’s port and harbor facilities will help with enforcement of the new rules.
The $150 fine is for each offense.
The new ordinances took effect Feb. 27.
Assembly members made clear in their discussion of the ordinances that while vessel owners can use the dumpsters for trash off their boat, they cannot dump garbage from their home into the harbor trash bins.
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