SAN MARCOS, Texas — The City of San Marcos has approved a "can ban" for the San Marcos River and for certain parks.
During a council meeting on Tuesday night, city leaders approved a ban on single-use containers to limit pollution.
Leaders also added restrictions for certain coolers in the ban, which will start May 1.
"There's probably going to be some changes and it's going to be in flux a little bit, but I am hoping everyone embraces it and I hope this does a lot of good for the river," San Marcos City Councilmember Mark Gleason said.
In September, the council asked the San Marcos Parks and Recreation Board for recommendations on the policy. The board recommended a ban on single-use containers – including metal, aluminum, cardboard, Styrofoam, plastic or glass – as well as a limit on cooler sizes to 30 quarts per person within the city’s riverfront parks.
Agenda documents show a 30-quart cooler per person limit would apply to in the river, as well as within designated park areas adjacent to the river. Alcoholic beverages with a volume of 5 fluid ounces or less are prohibited in the river and in riverfront parks.
Single-use beverage containers will still be allowed in designated “go zones,” while “no zones” will be clearly marked with signage, the documents say. Go zones include the fenced areas of Ramon Lucio Ballfields, Rio Vista Pool, and city facilities such as the Activity Center, Pauline Espinosa Community Hall and Fish Hatchery.