whats the difference?

[gps4]

can someone explain the littering laws applicable to sportsmen in the waters of ms and la? i am very curious as to what constitutes littering. thanx for your help.

[Wildfowler]

I wasn't sure either, so I looked the term up in my dictionary. Here's what I found.

Litter: (Noun) Carelessly scattered scraps of waste material.

Littering: (Verb) To make untidy by discarding rubbish carelessly.

My interpretation of this: if your waste material is placed anywhere but in a waste container, then it's considered litter. Did this answer your question?

Ha Ha! I'm sorry, but I just couldn't resist the jab. I'm sure you've got a good reason for asking such a question. What gives?

[ June 24, 2002: Message edited by: Wildfowler ]

[Morning Wood]

51-2-3 Miss. Code Ann (1972), as amended:

(1) It is unlawful for any person or vessel to discharge any type of plastics, including synthetic ropes, fishing nets, garbage bags and other garbage, including paper products, glass, metal, dunnage, lining and packing materials into the marine waters of this state.
(2) For purposes of this section, vessel means any boat, barge, or other vehicle operating in the marine environment from the largest supertanker to the smallest recreational craft.
(3) The following substances shall be kept in closed containers whenever present on a vessel in the marine waters of this state: fuel, oil, paints, varnishes, solvents, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, algicides, other hazardous liquids, and those substances referred to in subsection (1). The containers shall be sufficient to prevent the substances from escaping in the event the container is released into marine waters. Closed containers shall not be required for substances intended for human consumption, or for bait. Closed containers shall not be required while vessels are taking on or unloading cargo and provisions.
(4) This section shall not apply to substances released into marine waters accidentally or due to an act of nature, provided:
(a) That persons involved in an accident make good faith efforts to recover any substances released, proper allowances being first made for personal safety; and
(b) That snagged or entangled fishing tackle and nets are recovered as much as is reasonably possible, and the unrecovered remainder is caused to sink.
(5)(a) For a first violation, any person or vessel who violates this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or community service requiring litter collection of not less than twenty-five (25) hours nor more than two hundred fifty (250) hours, or both. Persons under eighteen (18) years of age shall be penalized with community service, and may be assessed a fine as well. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.
(b) For a second or subsequent violation, any person or vessel who violates this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or revocation of boating licenses, or both.

[Wingman]

What about if you have to take a poop over the edge...that could be classified as an accident.

Wingman
ISAIAH 40:31

[Anatidae]

Damn, 'GPS4'....we went through this sorta thing with 'traditional methods', a while back.......Don't you own a dictionary? (Just kidding) I know you're not wanting to know what's 'right' for yourself, 'cause you're a sensible fella.....so let me just say I hope you nail any squirming 'MAGGOT' that's responsible for 'trashing' the outdoors!

I don't enjoy seeing 'garbage' while I'm trying to enjoy the outdoors.....and THAT includes those bright orange or green fishing 'jugs' that were left by someone who was too lazy to make sure he picked'em all up.

I remember an instance where we knew of a group of duck 'shooters' that set-up and hunted one of our favorite holes. No big deal until we found (the next day) a pile of plastic drink bottles, hunny-bun wrappers, empty packs of smokes, and three empty shotshell boxes (no, they didn't shoot that much......just finished-off what was left in the boxes or discarded them 'cause they got wet). I guess they thought putting it in a nice, neat pile would somehow make it alright to leave it there. [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] How considerate?

Boat landings are WORSE.....I don't know HOW MANY garbage bags of trash I've hauled-off from boat landings we use.....and most of them even have trash recepticles, close by. I guess it's just a primordial instinct to 'leave your mark'....Damn, you'd think we'd evolved beyond that, by now. [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img]

I've even found empty 'Vienna' cans of varying stages of exposure, in the same proximity.....evidence that some 'Gastroentestinal Disaster' (aka 'Bubba'), delights in the ritual of throwing his 'desert' cup from the window as he leaves the area, after a day's fishing.

Point is, nobody should have to consider what the 'law' says about littering......or even how to define it (unless you're trying to make a case, or flat don't give a DAMN)!

Alright.....knowing you, there's some technical discrepancy you're pondering regarding "what consititutes 'litter'". You've got my curiosity up. This has the potential to be one of the most interesting threads in a WHILE. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] So, what's on your mind?

[ June 28, 2002: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[gps4]

(1) It is unlawful for any person or vessel to discharge any type of plastics, including synthetic ropes, fishing nets, garbage bags and other garbage, including paper products, glass, metal, dunnage, lining and packing materials into the marine waters of this state.

if you follow the law.......any discharge of listed materials is considered littering. is there a difference between leaving empty shells in the lake, sinking 55 gallon drums, sinking beer bottles in a river, or leaving any other refuse in the outdoors?

[ June 25, 2002: Message edited by: gps4 ]

[Anatidae]

Not in MY book.......unless someone were to suggest that duck decoys should fall into a category of 'temporary litter', retrieved after the hunt. [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

[ June 26, 2002: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[Unkljohn]

Hey Anat, If yo uwanna get P.O.d about some litter all you gotta do is ride down Lindsey Ferry the day after they clean it all up. Someone who lives west of me and works the night shift, throws the trash from their breakfast out EVERY morning on their way home, right after they turn off of 45 [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]
You can tell every morning what they had, KFC,Waffle House,etc... At least with the diet they are eating they won't be around much longer!!!! [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]
JT

[Anatidae]

Yeah, we've noticed the same thing....you sho' got some 'trashy' neighbors, man! [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Don't worry......'bout once a month (or just before the 'county' mows the grass) the Sheriff's Dept. sponsors a Saturday 'walk-a-thon' down that road.....made-up MOSTLY of 'volunteers' from your neighborhood.

I feel like beanin'em in the back of the head with a damn brick batt!.....'wouldn't do any good.......besides, I'd hate to waste a perfectly GOOD BRICK!

[img]images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img](Am I missing something here?.....'seems like it'd be a whole-lot easier to just wait 'til you get home and throw your trash out in the front yard!)

You know.....that garbage gets flushed down the road ditch during a heavy rain and makes it's way into local streams and tributaries until it lodges behind the flood gates at the next Lock & 'Dammit'! [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img] (....'just thought I'd convey 2 emotions, simultaneously)

[ June 27, 2002: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[Anatidae]

What REALLY 'torques' my tiller handle [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img], is having to LOOK at all that stuff that's strewn through the woods along the bank, or flappin' in the breeze as it dangles from tree limbs after the water goes down.

There's even ONE hunter that (when he finds a spot he wants to hunt the next day), he 'marks' a trail through the timber by stickin' his empty 'Bud-Light' cans on the end of limbs, on his way out. 'A 'Q'-beam and a few strategically-placed beer cans....and a 'drunk' can find his way around perty-good in the dark. 'Course nobody'd ever suspect it was intentional......'looks perfectly normal to have trash hanging from trees 'round here. [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img].....OOOOOOOOO.......don't get me started! [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

We get a real 'KICK' outa re-locating his beer cans so he ends-up motoring through the most STUMPS (you know, the ones just under the surface that you ride-up on and have to get the pushpole out, to get off)......Hehehe, you can hear him cussin' all the way to Demopolis. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img])

The sight of trash in the river bothers me so bad that I keep 55 gallon, 'industrial strength' garbage bags in my boat. If the fish aren't biting, I can always spend my day-OFF, scooping-up someone else's 'contributions to society'! [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]That way, you NEVER go home, EMPTY. [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

[ June 28, 2002: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[Unkljohn]

Am I missing something here?.....'seems like it'd be a whole-lot easier to just wait
'til you get home and throw your trash out in the front yard!)
If they did that Mama would make em pick it up and put it in the trash can, then haul the can all the way to the road where they empty it once a week. [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] Man what a hassle , it's much easier to beautify some one else's place. [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]
Rearranging someones beer cans/trail markers, I would just have to hide nearby and listen as he tried to navigate through the places I would send him!! But,I would probably fall out of the boat laughing at that. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Some people just have NO RESPECT for themselves, the outdoors or for other people.
JT

[Anatidae]

'GPS'....with regard to your original querry (and I hesitate to draw attention to a very important component of duck hunting), but......do you think plastic decoys would ever be considered 'litter', in a court of law....(Well, maybe certain types and brands WOULD, otherwise) [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img].........I mean, by legal definition contained in section (1), above?

[img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img](WHAT?.....you've GOT to be kiddin') [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

I'm NOT really serious.....but you have to admit, it might be worthy of consideration, given rulings like the one regarding the 'pledge', wouldn't you say? 'Never know WHAT a 'starving' lawyer or a senile old 'robe hook' would consider 'legal', thesedays. [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

No, 'JB'....'not talkin' 'bout YOU.......(not this time, anyway [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img])

[ June 28, 2002: Message edited by: Anatidae ]