Isla Vista community closes beaches due to potential Floatopia concerns

ISLA VISTA, Calif. -- The Santa Barbara County Community Services Department has announced that Isla Vista beaches will close from April 4 to 5 on Wednesday afternoon.

The beaches will be closed due to the potential for a "Floatopia" event on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5.

The closure is being declared to prevent a re-occurrence of the conditions that resulted from the 2009 Floatopia.

The Santa Barbara County Code authorizes the Community Services Department to close any County recreation area including beaches.

Back in 2009, the Floatopia event left Isla Vista beaches with trash and debris including human waste.

Since 2010, the County of Santa Barbara took action to close the Isla Vista beaches from similar events.

The County says the Floatopia event planned for April 4, is not a sanctioned event and there are no approved permits issued.

As such, the County Community Services Department will declare the Isla Vista beaches closed to public entry to protect public health and safety while also keeping beaches from excessive waste and litter.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's will enforce the closure.