Judge rules some beaches now private

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS. (WALA) -  A judge ruled some beaches in Jackson County, Mississippi are now private property.  The beaches were open to the public before the ruling.

Jackson County officials say, the ruling stemmed from a lawsuit from two homeowners suing for control of the beach in front of their property.

Jackson County Supervisor President, John McKay, said the ruling took it much farther than that.

" Well the ruling came down and it states that this affects all beaches in within Jackson county,” said McKay.

The ruling brings up major questions like, who is supposed to clean up the beaches after a hurricane. And who is allowed to hang out on the beaches?

For most beach-goers, McKay says it means you're on private property.

" If a homeowner comes out, in my opinion, if a homeowner comes out and says ‘you're on my beach, you got to get off' you got to get off,” said McKay.

As for  debris clean-up from Isaac, McKay says city and county official’s hands are tied and they won't be cleaning it up. Neighbors near the beach, want that to change.

" I certainly respect owners property, and owners rights but we believe it's the public beach and we like to use it, we like it to get clean and it's not getting clean,” said George ConwillletishaletletLetis

People like John Terry believe, if you own it, you should clean up too. 

" People should pick up their own piers. and the pieces laying around. i don't think everything should be laid on the city,” said Terry.

Jacksoncounty officials are appealing the ruling and hope to get it over-turned.

Jacksoncounty officials say they won't make any cleaning efforts, until a judge tells them exactly what their limitations are.