Litter is a major problem in the river. One of the biggest culprits is empty cans. Any river rat can tell you that you will likely find at least two to three of them if you spend an hour wading in only one location — move around and the number will increase exponentially. With that in mind, and after much consideration of a single- use beverage container ordinance that includes stipulations on cooler size, and public comments in support of the idea, the San Marcos City Council voted six to zero with one absent in support of the proposed ordinance on the first of two readings. The ordinance uses 'go' and 'no go' zones in certain parks to allow for the use of single-use containers in sections of the park while keeping them out of the river. In the previous meeting in which it was on the agenda on Jan. 16, council provided direction to staff as to what the specifics of the ordinance would entail.
San Marcos Parks and Recreation Director Jamie Lee Case said the cooler size limitation would be 30 quarts per person in the waterway, but no limitation in the riverfront parks. As far as the single- use container ban, she said it will only apply to single-use beverage containers, not other types of containers.
“Only reusable containers would be allowed in the public waterway of the San Marcos River and within designated no-zones, which would be along the river,” Case said. “During that first year, we would only be providing education to patrons. There would not be any citations issued for violations.” Case said the ordinance would go into effect on May 1 of this year.
