Published:Wednesday, January 24, 2007 2:54 PM PST
Serving the South Coast of Oregon

Selling Sanibel's sand could send you to jail
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 2:54 PM PST

SANIBEL, Fla. (AP) - You can do a lot of things with beach sand on this southwest Florida island getaway. Build a sandcastle. Run it through your bare toes. Bury yourself up to your neck.

Just don't try to sell it on eBay.

According to The News-Press, city officials recently warned an eBay seller of the consequences of breaking the city's ban on sand sales after learning of an Internet auction offering Sanibel's grains at $7 a pop. The punishments are two months in jail and up to $500 in fines.

The listing was removed from the Web site last week and no charges were filed against the seller. But city officials said they will consider prosecution if the island's sand shows up for sale again.

“We take violations of our environmental ordinances very seriously,” City Manager Judith Zimomra said. “Fortunately, we have a lot of eyes and ears out there that are concerned about Sanibel's environment.”


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