TTW 2007

Testing the Waters
August 2007
A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches

Seventeen th Edition
Authors
Mark Dorfman
Nancy Stoner
Natural Resources Defense Council
Project Design and Development

David Beckman
About NRDC
The Natural Resources Defense Council is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than
1.2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have
worked to protect the world’s natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City,
Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org.
Acknowledgments
NRDC wishes to acknowledge the support of The Davis Family Trust for Clean Water, John Dawson, Sarah K. deCoizart
Article Tenth Perpetual Charitable Trust, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Inc., The Joyce Foundation, The Lawrence
Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, The Prospect Hill Foundation, The Mary
Jean Smeal Clean Water Fund, and Victoria Foundation, Inc. We also thank our more than 650,000 members, without
whom our work to protect U.S. coasts, as well as our other wide ranging environmental programs, would not be possible.
NRDC would like to thank Tonya McLean and Kirsten Sinclair Rosselot for their research assistance. Thanks also to Rita
Barol, Kathryn McGrath, Shanti Menon, Lisa Whiteman, Auden Shim, and Megan Lew for their assistance in producing
this report on NRDC’s website and to Julia Bovey, Serena Ingres, Elizabeth Heyd, Jenny Powers, Daniel Hinerfeld,
Hamlet Paoletti, and Jon Coifman from our communications team for developing our release strategy. Finally, thanks to
Henry Henderson, Sarah Chasis, David Beckman, Michele Mehta, Andrew Wetzler for releasing the report for NRDC
this year and Natalie Roy and Christy Leavitt for arranging for releases by chapters of the Public Interest Research Group
and the Clean Water Network.
NRDC President: Frances Beinecke

NRDC Executive Director: Peter Lehner
NRDC Publications Manager: Lisa Goffredi
Contributing Editors: Anthony Clark, Lily Bowers, Jacob Wascalus
NRDC Director of Communications: Phil Gutis
Production: Bonnie Greenfield
NRDC Director of Marketing and Operations: Alexandra Kennaugh
Copyright 2007 by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
ii Natural Resources Defense Council

Table of Contents
Executive Summary.......................................................................................................................................................... iv
National Overview............................................................................................................................................................1
Chapter 1
Sources of Beachwater Pollution......................................................................................................................................14
Chapter 2
Health Risks and Economic Impacts of Beach Pollution.................................................................................................21
Chapter 3
Beachwater Monitoring and Closing/Advisory Practices..................................................................................................33
Chapter 4
Plan of Action.................................................................................................................................................................37
Chapter 5
State Summaries..............................................................................................................................................................42
Alabama Florida Louisiana Minnesota North Carolina South Carolina
Alaska Georgia Maine Mississippi Ohio Texas
California Hawaii Maryland New Hampshire Oregon Virginia
Connecticut Illinois Massachusetts New Jersey Pennsylvania Washington
Delaware Indiana Michigan New York Rhode Island Wisconsin
Figures
Figure 1. Total Closing/Advisory Days, 2000–2006 (excluding extended and permanent).................................................2
Figure 2. Reported Causes of Closings/Advisoris in 2006..................................................................................................3
Figure 3. Reported Causes of Closings/Advisories, 2000–2006..........................................................................................3
Figure 4. Sources of Pollution That Caused Closings/Advisories, 2006..............................................................................4
Figure 5. Sources of Pollution That Caused Closings/Advisories, 2000–2006....................................................................4
Figure 6. Major Pollution Sources Causing Beach Closings/Advisories in 2006...............................................................14
Figure 7. Expansion of HAB Problems in the U.S...........................................................................................................25
Figure 8. Lag Time Associated with Current Water Quality Monitoring and Public Notification Methods......................26
Tables
Table 1. Rank of States by Percent of Tier 1 Beachwater Samples Exceeding the National Standard in 2006.....................6
Table 2. Tier 1 Beaches with More Than 25 Percent of Samples Exceeding National Standards in 2006,...........................7
by Percent Exceedance
Table 3. U.S. Ocean, Bay, Great Lakes, and Some Freshwater Beach Closings/Advisories, 2000–2006............................12
Table 4. Details on the 62 Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Reported to CDCP: Jan 2003–Dec 2004..............................22
Table 5. Pathogens and Swimming-Associated Illnesses...................................................................................................23
Table 6. BEACH Act–Required Beachwater Water Quality Standarrds............................................................................26
Table 7. Value of Tourism to Selected Coastal States........................................................................................................29
Table 8. 2007 Federal BEACH Act Grant Allocations to States and Territories................................................................34
Table 9. Number and Percent of Tier 1 Beaches Regularly Monitored in 2006................................................................35
Table 10. Abbreviations Used in Beach Closing/Advisory Tables.....................................................................................44
iii Natural Resources Defense Council

Seventeenth Annual Report
Executive Summary
In 2006 there were more beach closings and advisories than at any other time in the 17 years the Natural Resources
Defense Council (NRDC) has been tracking them. The number of closing and advisory days at ocean, bay, and Great
Lakes beaches jumped 28 percent to more than 25,000, confirming that our nation’s beaches continue to suffer from se-
rious water pollution.
For the second consecutive year, we were able to determine not only the number of closings and advisories, but also
the number of times that each beach violated current public health standards. This year, a curious picture emerged: while
the number of closing/advisory days increased, the percent of all samples exceeding national health standards decreased
to 7 percent in 2006 from 8 percent in 2005. The culprit is stormwater runoff: the number of closing/advisory days due
to stormwater doubled to more than 10,000 in 2006. The
structures and infrastructures of our coastal cities and towns The EPA missed its congressionally
create the conditions for rain to wash infectious bacteria, vi- mandated deadline to revise the
ruses, and parasites into our beachwater. In fact, in many of
current public health standards
the more populated coastal areas, health officials are so sure
that heavy rains will wash sewage, nutrients, and debris into for beachwater quality, which are
our coastal recreational waters, that they don’t even wait for outdated and inadequate.
the results of monitoring before taking action to protect
the public – they close beaches or issue advisories preemptively. In 2006, 79 percent of the closing/advisory days due to
stormwater contamination were preemptive. Hawaii, which had record amounts of rain in 2006, accounts for the largest
share of preemptive closing/advisory days.
Closings and Advisories Increase At High-Risk Beaches
For the first time this year, our report puts a special focus on our nation’s highest risk beaches—those with the great-
est amount of use and/or proximity to potential pollution sources. This new area of focus is the result of a peer review
process NRDC undertook with five professionals from local and state health agencies, academia, and the research com-
munity. States must identify their highest risk beaches when they receive federal Beaches Environmental Assessment and
Coastal Health Act (BEACH Act) grants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We found that closing/ad-
visory days at these so-called “Tier 1” beaches steadily increased at a rate of 3 percent per year from 2004 through 2006.
Heavy rains in some areas, more frequent monitoring, and uncontrolled stormwater and sewage pollution appear to be
the major factors contributing to the steady increase. Ninety-seven percent of Tier 1 beaches are monitored at least once a
week compared to 79 percent of all monitored beaches.
Polluted Water Hurts Coastal Economies
Dirty coastal waters not only threaten our health, they hurt our economy. Coastal “tourism and recreation constitute
some of the fastest growing business sectors—enriching economies and supporting jobs in communities virtually every-
where along the coasts of the continental United States, southeast Alaska, Hawaii, and our island territories and com-
monwealths,” according to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.1 That translates into new employment opportunities:
in 2000, U.S. coastal tourism and recreation created 1.67 million jobs, a 41 percent increase from 1990, earning workers
$13.8 billion in wages. Annual economic output nearly doubled during the same time period to $29.5 billion.
But U.S. “beachonomics” might have been more robust if it were not for the condition of our coastal waters. Some
45 percent of our waters assessed by states are not clean enough for fishing or swimming, according to EPA data from
iv Natural Resources Defense Council

Testing the Waters 2007
2000, the most recent national information available. In 2006, 8 percent of all water samples taken at beaches across
the country exceeded the federal minimum public health–based monitoring standard, showing no improvement over
the previous year. Worse yet, the federal public-health standard is more than 20 years old, does not provide informa-
tion on the full range of waterborne illnesses that make beachgoers sick, and usually provides information that is
24–48 hours old. So, even if a beach is deemed “safe” under the federal public health standard, it may still contain
undetected human or animal waste that can make swimmers sick. In the BEACH Act, Congress required the EPA
to modernize this outdated standard, but the EPA has not yet done so. Last summer, NRDC sued the EPA to force it
to comply with the BEACH Act by accelerating its timetable for proposing new standards, setting standards that fully
protect the public, and establishing testing methods that will enable public health officials to make prompt decisions
about closing their beaches and issuing advisories. Americans need to know that the waters in which we swim, surf,
and dive are safe. At a minimum, that means that recreational waters must be tested regularly, and the results must be
measured against effective health standards. When waters do not meet these standards, authorities must promptly and
clearly notify the public.
NRDC Finds That Authorities Are Not Controlling Beach Pollution

Sources
While authorities are doing a better job monitoring beaches than in the past, that monitoring reveals the extent
to which they are failing to clean up the sources of beachwater pollution. Closings and advisories are rising steadily,
and most authorities are not even attempting to identify pollution sources, much less control them. One prob-
lem is that BEACH Act grants are currently not available for source identification and correction, so NRDC is
supporting federal legislation, the Beach Protection Act of 2007, that would double the amount of funding for
BEACH Act grants and allow them to be used for sanitary surveys, source tracking, and other means of identifying
and addressing the direct sources of the contamination. Further improvements to monitoring and public notifica-
tion programs should include expanding them to cover all designated coastal beaches and popular inland beaches.
Meanwhile, NRDC’s lawsuit is already prodding the EPA to move forward with developing a new health standard
and faster test methods. Finally, it is time for the EPA and state and local authorities to seriously address the sources
of beachwater pollution, which most often is stormwater and sewage pollution. Prevention is the best way to make
sure that a day at the beach will not turn into a night in the bathroom, or worse, in a hospital emergency room.
Recommendations for Improving Beachwater Quality and Protecting

Swimmers’ Health
• The EPA should accelerate its timetable for proposing new health standards for beachwater quality, set standards that
fully protect the public, and establish testing methods that will enable public health officials to make prompt decisions
about closing their beaches and issuing advisories.
• The EPA and states should tighten and enforce controls on all sources of beachwater pollution. Controls on sewage
overflows, urban stormwater, and other sources of polluted runoff are particularly critical. The best way to prevent
swimmers from getting sick is to clean up the water.
• Congress should pass the Beach Protection Act of 2007, S. 1506, HR 2537, which would reauthorize the federal
BEACH Act of 2000, double the authorized funding and allow that funding to be used for identifying and correcting
sources of beachwater contamination, require EPA to approve rapid test methods for monitoring beachwater pollution,
and improve coordination between the public health officials who monitor the beachwater and the environmental
agencies who regulate the sources of beachwater pollution.

• Congress should substantially increase the federal appropriations available to meet clean water and beach protection
needs through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, federal BEACH Act grants, and eventually, a Clean Water Trust
Fund or other dedicated source of clean water funding.
• The EPA should promptly and effectively implement and enforce the BEACH Act by setting and enforcing minimum
standards for all BEACH Act recipients to ensure comprehensive state and local monitoring of beachwater quality and
prompt public notification when bacterial standards are exceeded.
• State and local governments should make preventing beachwater pollution a priority. They should adopt monitoring
and closure programs that adequately protect the public, and they should do sanitary surveys to identify and then remedy
the sources of beachwater pollution.
• State and local governments should issue preemptive advisories where a correlation between rainfall and elevated
bacteria levels exists or when sewer overflows or other catastrophic events jeopardize beachwater safety.
• A portion of the revenues generated by tourism should be allocated to monitoring and prevention programs to ensure
that swimming in coastal waters does not jeopardize the health of beachgoers.
• Voters should support increased federal, state, and local funding for urban stormwater programs and for repairing,
rehabilitating, and upgrading our aging sewer systems. The public also should support funding for maintaining and
expanding natural areas (wetlands, shoreline buffers, coastal vegetation) that trap and filter pollution before it reaches
the beach.
• Individuals can help clean up beach pollution. Simple measures, including conserving water, redirecting runoff, using
such natural fertilizers as compost for gardens, maintaining septic systems, and properly disposing of animal waste, litter,
toxic household products, and used motor oil can reduce the amount of pollution in coastal waters.
Notes
1 U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Preliminary Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Governor’s Draft, Washington, D.C., April 2004, pp. 2,
7, available at: http://www.oceancommission.gov.
vi Natural Resources Defense Council

National Overview
In 2006, the number of closing and advisory days at ocean, bay, and Great Lakes beaches jumped 28 percent to a record
high of 25,643 days nationwide—the largest percent increase since 2003, when the number of beaches monitored at least
weekly doubled thanks to federal BEACH Act grants administered by the EPA (see Figure 1). In 2006, there was a less
than 1 percent increase in the number of beaches moni-
tored at least weekly, but a dramatic increase in the amount
During 2006, there were 25,643 days of
of rain in some parts of the country which appears to the closings and advisories at U.S. ocean,
overriding factor for the increase in closing/advisory days. bay, and Great Lakes beaches.
Regionally, the largest percent increases from 2005 levels
were along the New York–New Jersey coastline (96%) followed by the West (91%), New England (75%), the DelMarVa
Penninsula (43%), and the Great Lakes (7%). There were overall decreases in closing/advisory days in the Gulf (–14%)
and the Southeast (–3%).
In 2006, the percent of all samples exceeding national health standards decreased to 7 percent in 2006 from 8 percent
in 2005. Regionally, the highest percent exceedances were along the Great Lakes shoreline (14%), followed by Western
states (8%), the DelMarVa Penninsula, the Gulf, New England, and New York–New Jersey (each at 6%), and the
Southeast (3%).
Across the United States, beach officials continue to use traditional methods that require about 24 hours to detect
bacterial indicator levels in beachwater samples. Some states, such as California and New Jersey, are piloting rapid testing
methods that could provide results in about four hours. At least some communities in seven states (Indiana, Maryland,
Ohio, New Hampshire, New York, South Carolina, and Wisconsin) are using or developing computer models that
allow them to predict bacterial indicator concentrations in about an hour using physical measurements at the beach, such
as rainfall levels, wind speed and direction, tides, and wave heights. At least some communities in 15 states preemptively
close beaches or issue an advisory based on rainfall levels alone (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii,
Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, and Wisconsin); Louisiana is developing preemptive rainfall standards.
Major Findings
This section provides a national perspective on the major findings of NRDC’s Testing the Waters report regarding 2006
beachwater quality, closings and advisories, sources of pollution, associated health risks, and economic impacts. For more
information on state programs and specific beaches, see the individual state summaries in Chapter 5.
Beach Closings/Advisories and Pollution Sources
• During 2006, U.S. ocean, bay, Great Lakes, and some freshwater beaches had 25,643 days of closings and advisories,
73 extended closings and advisories (seven to 13 consecutive weeks), and 69 permanent closings and advisories (more
than 13 consecutive weeks). Including extended days, the total comes to 29,785 beach closing and advisory days.
• Since 1992, there have been more than 155,286 days of closings and advisories and 562 extended closings and
advisories. (See Figure 1 and Table 3.)
• The number of beach closing and advisory days increased 28 percent to 5,568 days in 2006 (see Figure 1). The
two major factors leading to the increase in 2006 appear to be heavy rainfall in some areas, particularly Hawaii, and

Figure 1. Total Closing/Advisory Days, 2000–2006 (excluding extended and permanent)
30 3.0
Closing/advisory days
Thousands of Closing/Advisory Days
25 Beaches monitored at least weekly

2.5
Thousands of Beaches
20
2.0
15
1.5
10
1.0
5
0 0.5
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Note: Because of inconsistencies in monitoring and closing/advisory practices among states and the different levels of data
submission over time, it is difficult to make comparisons between states or to assess trends based on the closing/advisory
data.
unaddressed bacteria-laden stormwater and sewage pollution that contaminate beachwaters. The percent of beaches
monitored at least once a week remained steady at 79 percent.
• The continued high level of closings/advisories is an indication that regular monitoring continues to reveal serious
water pollution at our nation’s coastal, bay, and Great Lakes beaches. Figure 2 (page vii) shows that 15,738 (63%) of the
2006 beach closings and advisories were issued because water quality monitoring revealed bacteria levels exceeding health
and safety standards.
Major causes of beach closings and advisories in 2006 were as follows (see Figure 2):
• 63 percent (15,738) were based on monitoring that detected bacteria levels exceeding beachwater quality standards (a
decrease from 75 percent in 2005);
• 33 percent (8,334) were precautionary, due to rainfall known to carry pollution to swimming waters (an increase from
21 percent in 2005);
• 4 percent (966) were in response to known pollution events, such as sewage treatment plant failures or breaks in
sewage pipes. In other words, localities did not wait for monitoring results to decide whether to close beaches or issue
advisories (an increase from 3 percent in 2005);
• Less than 1 percent (89) was due to other causes, such as dredging and algal blooms (a decrease from 2 percent in
2005).
• Major pollution sources listed as responsible for 2006 beach closings and advisories include the following. The total is
greater than 25,643 and 100 percent because more than one source may have contributed to a given closing or advisory
(see Figure 4):

Figure 2. Reported Causes of Closings/Advisories in 2006
� Preemptive due to rain known to carry pollution to swimming waters

� In response to known pollution event without relying on monitoring.
� Based on monitoring that detected bacteria levels exceeding standards
� Other reason
Figure 3. Reported Causes of Closings/Advisories, 2000–2006
30
� A-Monitoring
� B-Response
25 � C-Preemptive Rainfall
� D-Other
20
15
10
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Key: (A) Based on monitoring that detected bacteria levels exceeding standards. (B) In response to known pollution event
without relying on monitoring. (C) Preemptive due to rain known to carry pollution to swimming waters. (D) Other reason.
• Unknown sources of pollution caused 14,167 closing/advisory days (54 percent of this year’s total)—a decrease of 435
days from 2005—plus 58 extended and 37 permanent closings or advisories. Sewage or stormwater discharges usually
cause elevated bacteria levels, but efforts to determine the causes of increased bacteria levels have not kept pace with new
or more frequent monitoring practices;
• Polluted runoff and stormwater caused or contributed to 10,597 closing/advisory days (40 percent of this year’s
total)—an increase of 5,264 days from 2005—plus three permanent closings or advisories;
• Sewage spills and overflows caused or contributed to 1,301 closing/advisory days (5 percent of this year’s total)—an
increase of 402 days from 2005—plus six extended and two permanent closings or advisories (includes combined sewer
overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, breaks or blockages in sewer lines, and faulty septic systems);

Figure 4. Sources of Pollution That Caused Closings/Advisories, 2006
� Unknown
� Polluted runoff, stormwater or preemptive due to rain
� Sewage spills
� Other
Totals shown are greater than annual totals because more than one pollution source may have contributed to each closing/
advisory.
Figure 5. Sources of Pollution That Caused Closings/Advisories, 2000–2006
30
� A-Sewage S
� B-Rain/Runoff/Stormwater
25 � C-Unknown
� D-Other R
20 U
15 O
10
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Totals shown are greater than annual totals because more than one pollution source may have contributed to each closing/
advisory. Key: (A) Sewage spills and overflows. (B) Polluted runoff, stormwater, or preemptive due to rain. (C) Unknown.
(D) Other reasons (including those with no source information provided).
• Elevated bacteria levels from miscellaneous sources, such as boat discharges or wildlife, accounted for 410 closing/
advisory days (2 percent of this year’s total)—an increase of 77 days from 2005—plus two extended and 28 permanent
closings or advisories;
• Preemptive rainfall advisories, usually due to polluted stormwater or sewage overflows, accounted for 8,334 closing/
advisory days (33 percent of this year’s total)—an increase of 4,005 days from 2005.

Beachwater Quality
For the second consecutive year, NRDC used the percentage of all beachwater samples collected in 2006 that exceeded
the BEACH Act–required daily maximum standards to compare water quality at beaches ringing our nation from the
Pacific Northwest to Southern California, from New England to the Florida Keys, and all along the U.S. Great Lakes
shoreline. For marine waters, the standard is 104 enterococcus colony forming units per 100 milliliters (ml) and for the
freshwater, the standard is 235 E .coli colony forming units per 100 ml.
For the 2006 beach season, the NRDC dataset includes monitoring results for 109,950 samples at 3,492 beaches and
beach segments (most state and local officials divide longer beaches into manageable monitoring segments). Nationally,
the percent of all samples exceeding the BEACH Act standard remained constant at 8 percent between 2005 and 2006.
Sources of Information
For the fourth consecutive year, our research for Testing the Waters is based primarily on the EPA’s new electronic report-
ing system designed to meet the requirements of federal BEACH Act grants to all 35 coastal and Great Lakes states and
territories. From 1998 through 2003, the report had been based on the EPA’s annual Beaches Environmental Assessment,
Closure and Health (BEACH) Program survey, supplemented by NRDC interviews with state and local officials. The
EPA’s electronic reporting system replaced the BEACH survey.
Although it is improving, there are still technical problems with EPA’s electronic data submission system. In some
cases, the EPA’s 2006 closing/advisory or beach detail data were incomplete or inaccurate and were replaced or supple
mented with data requested by NRDC and received directly from the states. In three cases, the EPA closing/advisory
data were completely replaced with data received directly from the state (California, Rhode Island, and Washington).
NRDC updated the EPA’s state beach lists with information solicited from all 30 coastal and Great Lakes states and con-
tacted state and local officials with specific questions regarding their beach programs.
In addition to closing/advisory data, NRDC has compiled and analyzed, for the second consecutive year, each state’s
beach monitoring results. With these data, we are now able to present a comparative analysis of water quality at beaches
across the United States—thanks to provisions of the BEACH Act which require the EPA to collect and publicize beach
monitoring data from all states receiving BEACH Act grants. NRDC obtained 2006 beach season monitoring data
through the EPA’s STORET data warehouse (the EPA’s main repository of water quality monitoring data) for 26 states
(Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin). EPA data for California, New Hampshire,
and Washington were found to be in error, so NRDC requested and received monitoring data directly from these states.
Data for Indiana and Pennsylvania beaches were not available through STORET; they were obtained directly from
these states. Lake County in Illinois provided monitoring data for Lake Michigan beaches in its jurisdiction, but no data
were obtained for Lake Michigan beaches in Cook County—the Illinois Department of Public Health is the only agency
in all 30 coastal or Great Lakes states that did not provide 2006 monitoring data to either the EPA or NRDC. NRDC
included U.S. territories for the purpose of comparing total closing/advisory days to earlier years. However, we did not
include them in our more detailed 2006 beach season analysis by state in Chapter 5.
Special Focus: America’s Highest Risk Beaches

For the first time this year, our report puts a special focus on our nation’s highest risk beaches—those with the greatest
amount of use and/or proximity to potential pollution sources. States must identify their highest risk beaches when they
receive federal Beach Act grants from the EPA. We found that closing/advisory days at these so-called “Tier 1” beaches
steadily increased at a rate of 3 percent per year from 2004 through 2006. Heavy rains in some areas as well as more fre-
quent monitoring appear to be the major factors contributing to the steady increase. In 2005, 97 percent (1,834) of Tier
1 beaches were monitored at least once a week compared to 79 percent of all monitored beaches. This is an increase from
2005 when 94 percent (1,765) of Tier 1 beaches were monitored at least once a week.

In 2006, Tier 1 beaches in Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Rhode Island ranked highest in percent of
samples exceeding national standards. It is important to note that a top-ranking state, while a clear indication of dirty
coastal recreational waters, is not necessarily an indication of a bad actor. For example, Ohio and Indiana always issue an
advisory when a sample exceeds the standard; they do not wait for the results of a resample, or check other conditions
first as some other states do. Although Rhode Island does wait for the result of a resample before taking action, it has the
highest average closing/advisory days per beach among the top ranking states indicating that the public is frequently noti-
fied when conditions are unsafe. Ohio goes even further by monitoring more of its Tier 1 beaches more frequently than
once a week (see Table 1).
Table 1. Rank of States by Percent of Tier 1 Beachwater Samples Exceeding the National Standard
in 2006
Percent of Resample
2006 Tier 1 Average
Tier 1 Beaches or Other
Total Percent Beach Closing/Advisory
State Monitored More Information
Samples Exceedance Closing/Advisory Days Per
Frequently Than Needed Before
Days Tier 1 Beach
Once a Week Action
OH 1,066 22% 319 16 100% no
IN 516 19% 38 5 63% no
WI 1,960 16% 469 18 100% no
IL 3,682 15% 97 7 72% no
RI 493 14% 240 27 70% yes
MN 411 14% 65 8 100% no
MD 688 13% 241 5 0% yes
NY 2,431 13% 704 9 7% sometimes
ME 651 12% 134 3 7% sometimes
SC 1,300 12% 676 17 0% yes
PA 1,502 11% 52 7 90% no
CA 30.582 9% 4,641 9 8% no
MS 1,221 9% 0 0 100% no
MA 702 8% 444 44 0% no
TX 4,243 8% 470 8 0% sometimes
AL 326 6% 18 2 100% yes
FL 15,729 6% 2,686 9 0% yes
WA 3,299 5% 157 2 0% yes
MI 2,470 4% 124 1 14% sometimes
CT 914 4% 54 1 0% yes
GA 884 4% 135 8 0% no
HI 3,070 3% 728 16 98% yes
NH 622 3% 17 2 100% no
NJ 3,894 3% 122 1 0% yes
OR 435 3% 15 4 0% no
LA 167 2% 5 1 0% yes
NC 3,057 2% 283 3 0% no
DE 299 1% 0 0 0% yes
VA 886 1% 43 1 0% no

NRDC identified 92 beaches in 19 states that exceeded the standard more than 25 percent of the time (California,
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New
Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin) (see Table 2). Those viola-
tions are pretty good indications that the beachwater was contaminated with human and animal waste, and that beach
goers were either swimming in that waste or banned from doing so due to the health risks.
Table 2. Tier 1 Beaches with More Than 25 Percent of Samples Exceeding National Standards in
2006, by Percent Exceedance
Monitoring Total Percent

State County Beach
Frequency Samples Exceedance
WI Sheboygan Kohler Andrae North Picnic 4/wk 51 61%
NJ Ocean Beachwood Beach West 1/wk 35 60%
MD Cecil Hacks Point 1/wk 10 60%
WI Sheboygan Kohler Andrae North Beach 4/wk 52 58%
WI Sheboygan Kohler Andrae Nature Center 4/wk 51 57%
WI Sheboygan Kohler Andrae South Picnic 4/wk 51 57%
CA San Mateo Venice State Beach 1/wk 35 57%
MD Kent Bay Country Campground And Beach 1/wk 16 56%
IL Cook Jackson Park Beach 5/wk 71 54%
CA Los Angeles Avalon Beach-North of GP Pier 1/wk 34 53%
MD Kent YMCA Camp Tockwogh (Youth Camp) 1/wk 16 50%
FL Dixie Shired Island 1/wk 34 50%
Delaware Seashore State Park, Tower Road
DE Sussex 1/wk 18 50%
Bayside
TX Nueces Ropes Park 1/wk 69 48%
IL Lake North Point Marina North Beach Daily 90 47%
FL Taylor Dekle Beach 1/wk 37 46%
CA Orange Doheny State Beach-Surfzone At Outfall 2/wk 85 45%
SC Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Withers Swash 1/wk 45 44%
OH Cuyahoga Villa Angela St. Pk. Daily 72 44%
MD Kent Ferry Park 1/wk 16 44%
ME York Goose Rock (Kennebunkport) 5/wk 23 43%
FL Taylor Keaton Beach 1/wk 37 43%
MD Cecil Red Point Beach 1/wk 7 43%
OH Cuyahoga Euclid St. Pk. 4/wk 72 42%
Beach: Lk Sup, Park Point, Southworth Marsh,
MN St Louis 2/wk 63 41%
Duluth
MD Kent Tolchester Marina And Beach 1/wk 22 41%
CA Sonoma Campbell Cove State Beach 1/wk 37 41%
Santa Monica State Beach-Santa Monica
CA Los Angeles 1/wk 236 40%
Canyon
NJ Ocean Money Island 1/wk 20 40%
MD Kent Betterton Beach and Public Landing 1/wk 15 40%


State County Beach
MD Worcester Public Landing 1/wk 15 40%
CA Los Angeles Long Beach-B-70 1/wk 63 38%
FL Taylor Cedar Island 1/wk 37 38%
South Carolina State Park And Campground-
SC Horry 1/wk 40 38%
Pirateland-Lakewood Campground
MI Wayne Crescent Sail Yacht Club 2/wk 40 38%
CA San Mateo Marina Lagoon 1/wk 40 38%
Long Beach-Alamitos Bay Beach-2nd St Bridge
CA Los Angeles 1/wk 67 37%
& Bayshore
CA Orange Doheny State Beach-250’ S of San Juan Creek 2/wk 54 37%
VA King George Fairview Beach 1/wk 19 37%
CA Orange Doheny State Beach-2000’ South Outfall 2/wk 22 36%
NJ Monmouth L Street Beach 1/wk 25 36%
CA Orange Huntington Harbour-Clubhouse 1/wk 62 35%
Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge-Tijuana
CA San Diego 1/wk 65 35%
Rivermouth
NY Chautauqua Main Street Beach 1/wk 17 35%
NY Chautauqua Wright Park East 1/wk 20 35%
CA Los Angeles Avalon Beach-Near Busy B Cafe 1/wk 32 34%
CA Santa Barbara East Beach- Mission Creek 1/wk 67 34%
MS Harrison Gulfport East Beach 10/mo 89 34%
CA Los Angeles Cabrillo Beach Daily 224 33%
MI St Clair Conger-Lighthouse Beach 1/wk 15 33%
ME Cumberland Pine Point 1/wk 15 33%
CA San Francisco Candlestick Point-Windsurfer Circle 1/wk 78 33%
CA Orange Doheny State Beach-North Of San Juan Creek 2/wk 79 33%
CA Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Paradise Cove 1/wk 55 33%
CA Orange Newport Bay-Newport Blvd Bridge 1/wk 49 33%
WI Milwaukee South Shore Daily 85 32%
Beach: Lk Sup, St. Louis Bay, Pk Pt 20th/
MN St Louis 2/wk 65 32%
Hearding Is, Duluth
CA Orange Salt Creek County Beach Park 2/wk 69 32%
OH Cuyahoga Huntington_Beach 4/wk 73 32%
TX Nueces Cole Park 1/wk 121 31%
NY Monroe Ontario Beach Daily 93 31%
TX Galveston Texas City Dike 1/wk 26 31%
SC Horry Myrtle Beach City Of-Midway Swash 1/wk 39 31%
MI Cheboygan Mackinaw City Lighthouse Park 3/wk 13 31%
MI Emmet Wilderness State Park 1/wk 13 31%
CA Orange Newport Bay-Ski Zone 1/wk 13 31%


State County Beach
OH Ottawa Camp Perry 4/wk 49 31%
IN La Porte Washington Park 3/wk 147 31%
CA Los Angeles Trancas Beach 1/wk 236 30%
ME York Riverside (Ogunquit) 1/wk 20 30%
MD Cecil Crystal Beach Manor 1/wk 10 30%
CA Los Angeles Avalon Beach-South Of GP Pier 1/wk 30 30%
CA San Francisco Crissy Field, New Beach 1/wk 77 30%
CA Santa Barbara Arroyo Burro 1/wk 71 30%
CT New London Kiddie’s Beach 1/wk 17 29%
RI Bristol Warren Town Beach 2/wk 42 29%
NY Chautauqua Wright Park West 1/wk 21 29%
FL Escambia Bayview Park 1/wk 53 28%
CA Los Angeles Trancas Beach 1/wk 236 28%
IL Cook Calumet South Beach 5/wk 68 28%
NY Suffolk Valley Grove Beach 1/wk 54 28%
CA Orange Huntington Harbour-Sunset Aquatic Park 1/wk 55 27%
CA Orange Salt Creek County Beach Park 2/wk 92 27%
CA Los Angeles Will Rogers State Beach-Temescal Canyon Sd 1/wk 52 27%
OH Ashtabula Lakeshore Park 4/wk 45 27%
NY Monroe Durand Beach Daily 90 27%
CA Los Angeles Long Beach-B-69 1/wk 50 26%
FL Wakulla Mash Island 1/wk 27 26%
SC Horry City of Myrtle Beach-24th Avenue N 1/wk 35 26%
Health Risks
• Because pathogens in sewage-contaminated waters can cause a wide range of diseases—including ear, nose, and throat
problems, gastroenteritis, dysentery, hepatitis, and respiratory illness—beachwater pollution threatens public health. The
consequences of these swimming-associated illnesses can be worse for children, elderly people, pregnant women, cancer
patients, and others with weakened immune systems.
• Pollution contributed to the contamination of popular beaches. In 2006, known sewage contamination from spills,
storm drains, runoff, or leaky septic systems was reported in such popular vacation destinations as Surfrider Beach in
California, Ogen Dunes Beach in Indiana, Orchard Beach in the Bronx, and two beaches in Newport, Rhode Island.
• Aside from the disease-causing organisms present in sewage, its high nutrient content acts as fertilizer that can spur
massive blooms of microscopic organisms. Harmful algal blooms (HAB), or “red tides,” pose a serious risk to aquatic
and human health. They are natural phenomenon occurring for a variety of reasons, but can be exacerbated by nutrient
overloads into coastal waters. Nutrients spur harmful algae species such as the photosynthetic dinoflagellates Karenia
brevis or Alexandrium tamarense and the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia australis to multiply rapidly, producing red or green
pigmented algal blooms that last for days, weeks, or months. Red tides may result in serious and potentially life-

threatening human illnesses that have a slew of symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping,
chills, diminished temperature sensation, muscular aches, dizziness, anxiety, sweating, seizures, numbness and tingling of
the mouth and digits, and paralysis, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory symptoms.1 Although red tides are a growing
problem off the coasts of Florida and NewEngland, no closings or advisories were attributed to red tides in 2006.
Bacterial Standards
• The BEACH Act of 2000 required states and local agencies to use EPA standards or standards equally protective
of public health to monitor their coastal waters. The current EPA standards, which were adopted in 1986, include a
geometric mean value for multiple samples, generally taken over 30 days, and an instantaneous, single-sample value.
Some state and local agencies measure both the geometric
mean and the single sample when taking beachwater The high level of closings/advisories
samples, and issue beach closings or advisories if either
indicates that new and more frequent
standard is exceeded; others measure the geometric mean or
the single sample but not both. monitoring continues to reveal serious
water pollution at our beaches.
• In 2006, all coastal and Great Lakes states reported using
at least one of the BEACH Act–required standards. Four states went beyond these requirements by setting either stricter
standards or by adding additional indicators to trigger beach closing/advisory decisions (California, Florida, Hawaii,
and Louisiana).
• The BEACH Act also required the EPA to update its public health–based standards, which are based on out-of-
date science, but the EPA has failed to do so. NRDC sued EPA to force it to update those standards, which provide
incomplete information to beachgoers about health risks and do so one to two days after the water is tested.
Economic Impact
• Beaches are the top vacation destination in the country. Coastal tourism, dependent in part on clean beaches, generates
substantial revenues for state and local governments. According to the Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy,
ocean-related tourism and recreation contributed roughly $29 billion and 1.67 million jobs to the U.S. economy in 2000.
• The economic benefit of faster beachwater testing methods and earlier posting of advisories or closings was found to be
about $202,000 per year for two Great Lakes beaches.
• Economic activity associated with the ocean contributed more than $117 billion to the U.S. economy in 2000.2 About 85
percent of all tourism revenue is received in coastal states.3
• Researchers conclude that higher property values are associated with proximity to beaches and open water, and that
people are willing to pay more to be closer to these attractive environmental features.
• Beach-related products, such as swimsuits, sunscreen, beach chairs, towels, boogie boards, and surfboards, generate
hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars each year in sales. Sunscreen lotions and potions alone earn manufacturers
revenues of about $640 million a year.4
• In a September 2000 report, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution estimated that red tides cost an average of $49
million per year.5
10 Natural Resources Defense Council

• Water pollution has a significant economic effect on coastal states. Failing to invest in clean water costs coastal states
jobs, job productivity, tourism, property-tax dollars, and economic growth.
• Polluted waters cause economic losses when beachgoers cannot use the beach or go in the water.
Conclusion: Start Identifying and Controlling the Sources

of Beachwater Pollution
The shortcomings of our development and land use practices and sewage and stormwater management practices lead to
increasing pollution of our coastal recreational waters. The more we look, the more we find contamination in our beach-
water: as the number of beaches monitored and sampling frequencies increase, we can expect more beach closing/advisory
days until we start identifying and controlling the sources of beachwater pollution.
Notes
1 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/
2 U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century Final Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Washington, D.C.,
September 2004, Appendix C, p. 3, available at: http://www.oceancommission.gov.
3 Ibid., p. E-6.
4 “New-Wave Sunscreens,” Chemical & Engineering News, Vol. 83, No. 15, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., April 11, 2005, pp. 18–22,
available at: http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/83/print/8315sunscreens.html.
5 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Estimated Annual Economic Impacts from Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) in the United States, September 2000,
p.7, at http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/pertinentinfo/Economics_report.pdf.

Table 3. U.S. Ocean, Bay, Great Lakes, and Some Freshwater Beach Closings/Advisories, 2000–2006
State 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
AL 6 53 16 64 24 27 44
At least 5,780 + At least 6,568 + At least 4,553 + 4,644 + 16(e) +
CA 5,384 + 9(e) + 31(p) 3,985+12(e)+7(p)) 5,175+13(e)+7(p)
17(e) + 23(p) 13(e) + 36(p) 10(e) + 36(p) 14(p)
CT At least 397 At least 290 At least 115 At least 176 178 200 224
DE 5 19 33 60 19 0 2(p)
At least 527 + 9(e) At least 686 + 5(e)
FL 1,745 + 7(e) +8(p) 3,986 + 21(e) + 9(p) 3,345+22(e)+4(p) 3,428+13(e)+20(p) 2,686 + 13(e) + 9(p)
+ 8(p) + 3(p)
GA 0 0 14 0 364+1(e)+2(p) 528+3(e)+2(p) 203 + 2(e) + 1(p)
1,862 + 19(e) 2,429 + 18(e) + 2,679 + 18(e) + 2,215 + 20(e) +
GU 1,691 + 15(e) + 5(p) 2,178+25(e)+17(p) 1,541+12(e)+14(p)
+ 15(p) 12(p) 13(p) 10(p)
HI 15 11 52 + 1(p) 0 1,169+1(e)+4(p) 2,228 6,507 + 2(e) + 2(p)
IL 103 At least 154 342 391 790 585+1(p) 591 + 2(p)
IN 341 + 1(p) 347 At least 176 88 61 131 111
LA 4(p) 4(p) 4(p) 0 153 406+23(e) 5
At least 653 + 1(e) At least 313 + 1(e)
MA At least 390 + 2(p) 461 + 1(e) 653+1(e) 680+2(e) 1,092 + 6(e)
+ 2(p) + 3(p)
At least 206 +2(p)
MD 111 + 1(e) 262 + 1(e) + 1(p) 99 + 1(e) 197 209+2(e)+1(p) 317
+2(e)
ME At least 13 At least 15 At least 5 0 56 92 134

At least 119 + 1(e)
MI At least 276 At least 209 + 2(e) 93 255 234+1(p) 124 + 1(e) + 3(p)
+ 2(p)
MN 1(p) 0 0 33 + 1(e) 143+1(e)+1(p) 143+4(e) 73 + 4(e)
MP 71 944 1,095+2(p) 780 767
MS 15 1(e) 83 41 179 + 1(e) + 1(p) 17 41 21(p)
NC 128 + 1(p) 110 + 1(e) 0 567 + 5(e) + 1(p) 259+2(e)+2(p) 56+1(e)+1(p) 346 + 2(e)
NH 21 + 1(e) 146 + 1(e) 72 3 6 1 23
NJ 33 125 45 188 168 79 134
At least 229 + 2(e)
NY At least 388 + 1(p) 291 + 1(e) + 2(p) 692 + 4(p) 1,503+1(e) 827+2(e) 1,280
+ 4(p)
OH 501 314 + 1(e) 227 +2(e) 255 +6(e) 271+1(e) 182 629
OR ** ** ** 146 231+3(e) 117 66
PA 41 7 0 0 3 39 53
PR At least 3 0 0 No data 4 140+1(e) 460 + 7(e)
RI 62 + 3(p) 272 + 6(p) 103 305 +1(e) + 1(p) 251+8(e)+2(p) 73+1(e) 256 + 2(p)
SC 118 129 226 593 395 626 684
TX 4(e) 317 At least 182 71 834 420 473
VA 0 0 0 0 186+1(e) 42 43
VI At least 34 0 8 80 101 134 64
WA At least 34 + 1(p) 0 0 9 721(p) 216+2(p) 294 + 3(p)
WI At least 237 At least 176 At least 468 738 984 1,018 1,101
At least 11,270 + At least 13,410 + At least 12,184 + 18,284 +64(e) 19,496 +79(e) 25,643 + 73(e) +
Total 20,397+77(e)+49(p)
48(e) + 50(p) 46(e) + 73(p) 45(e) + 73(p) +60(p) +42(p) 69(p)
NRDC counts every day of an advisory/closure as one beach closing/advisory day. Because of inconsistencies in monitoring and closing/advisory practices among
states and over time, it is difficult to make comparisons between states or to assess trends over time based on the closing/advisory data.
** NRDC received no data.
(e) Extended beach closure or advisory (7 to 13 consecutive weeks).
(p) Permanent beach closure or advisory (more than 13 consecutive weeks).

Chapter 1
Sources of Beachwater Pollution

Most beach closings and advisories are based on monitoring that detects elevated levels of bacteria. The bacteria indicate
the presence of pathogens: microscopic organisms from human and animal wastes that pose a threat to human health. The
key known contributors of these contaminants are untreated or partially treated discharges from sewage treatment plants or
sanitary sewers, rain or stormwater that carries agricultural
and municipal wastes, septic system failures, and wildlife Of the known causes of beach closures
droppings. Beach closings and advisories can also come in re- and advisories, stormwater runoff
sponse to other specific pollution events, such as an overflow from roads, roofs, lawns, construction
from an animal-waste lagoon or an oil spill. Advisories may
also be issued as a precautionary measure when a pollution sites, and other impervious surfaces is
event is expected to occur, such as during rain storms. the largest pollution source.
Fifty-eight percent of beach closings/advisories in 2006
were based on monitoring that detected bacteria levels exceeding beachwater quality standards. Thirty-eight percent were
precautionary due to rain that was known to carry pollution into coastal waters, 4 percent were issued in response to a
known pollution event (without relying solely on monitoring results), and less than 1 percent were due to other sources,
such as dredging and algal blooms.
Stormwater runoff from roads, roofs, lawns, construction sites, and other impervious surfaces is the largest identi-
fied pollution source leading to beach closures and advisories, followed by sewage pollution from spills and overflows.
However, in most cases local officials have not identified the causes of contamination and are, consequently, unable to
address those sources. The major pollution sources, as well as the number of closings and advisories in 2006 attributable
Figure 6. Major Pollution Sources Causing Beach Closings/Advisories in 2006
300
� Permanent Events
� Extended Events
250 � Days (Hundreds)
200
150
100
50
0
Elevated bacteria levels Stormwater and runoffa Sewage spills Other (boats, wildlife,
of unknown origin and overflowsb inflow from creeks, etc.
a Includes preemptive due to rain and high bacteria levels due to stormwater.
b Includes sewage overflows from combined and sanitary sewers, malfunctioning sewage treatment plants and pupm stations, sewage spills, and
sewer-line breaks.
Extended: closings or advisories of 7 to 13 weeks.
Permanent: closings or advisories of more than 13 weeks.

to these sources, are summarized in Figure 4. A state-by-state breakdown of pollution sources can be found in the state
summaries in Chapter 5.
Sewage overflows from aging sanitary and combined sewer systems, leaking sewage pipes, and malfunctioning sewage
treatment plants and pump stations have always been a major cause of ocean, bay, and Great Lakes beach closings and
advisories. Today, stormwater runoff from urban and suburban areas is posing an even more significant problem and one
that is growing rapidly with rising populations and sprawl development. When it rains, the stormwater flows over roads,
parking lots, lawns, and other surfaces where it can pick up a variety of pollutants, including wildlife and pet wastes, and
transport them to surface waters. As is the case with sewage pollution, stormwater discharges result in elevated bacteria lev-
els and increased illness rates for swimmers.1 Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stopped collecting
information on pollution sources near beaches, almost every coastal and Great Lakes state previously reported having at
least one beach where stormwater drains onto or near bathing areas.
More than half of the people in the United States live in coastal towns and cities, occupying an area that is only
17 percent of the nation’s land mass (excluding Alaska).2 Between 1980 and 2003, coastal population grew by 33 million,
and by 2015 it is projected to increase by another 19 million.3 As population grows along the U.S. coast, pressure is put
on the environment, sewage systems become overwhelmed, and more land is converted to impervious cover. Population
growth is particularly challenging given the U.S. development trend of sprawl and land consumption now occurring at
about twice the rate of population growth. At the current rate, by 2025 more than a quarter of the coast’s acreage will be
developed.4 Unless strong measures are taken, sewer overflows and stormwater runoff from these rapidly growing areas will
increasingly degrade coastal waters and pollute our beaches.
The following sections describe the different sources of beachwater pollution.
Urban Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater starts as rain or snowmelt. As it washes over roads, rooftops, parking lots, construction sites, and other im-
pervious areas, it becomes contaminated with oil and grease, heavy metals, pesticides, litter, and pollutants from vehicle
exhaust. On its way to stormdrains, it also often picks up fecal matter from dogs, cats, pigeons, other urban animals, and
even humans. The amount of pollution present in stormwater can generally be correlated to the amount of impervious
cover. A study conducted in South Carolina found that a watershed that was 22 percent covered by impervious surfaces
had an average fecal coliform count seven times higher
than a watershed that was 7 percent covered by impervious A study conducted in South Carolina
surfaces. Suburban lawn runoff also contains significant
5 found that a watershed that was
amounts of animal waste, fertilizer, and other chemicals. 22 percent covered by impervious
This uncontrolled suburban runoff can foul beaches in
less densely populated areas. surfaces had an average fecal coliform
Stormdrains may empty into separate storm sewer sys- count seven times higher than a water
tems that carry only stormwater and discharge directly into shed that was 7 percent covered by
waterways, or they may become part of combined sewer
impervious surfaces.
systems, which usually overflow when it rains. Moreover,
human waste may find its way into storm sewer systems from adjacent sewage pipes that leak, or from businesses or
residences that are illegally hooked up to the system. Illicit discharges may also include such substances as oil from cars,
paint, and grease from restaurants. In Los Angeles County, for instance, the sewer system is separate from the stormdrain
system, yet Santa Monica Bay stormdrains discharge runoff containing human enteric viruses, indicating the presence of
human waste.6
The EPA estimates that more than 10 trillion gallons of untreated stormwater make their way into our surface waters
each year.7 Urban stormwater fouls about a quarter of our nation’s polluted estuaries and lakes, and it is a significant
source of bathing-beach pollution in many regions.8 For example, a Southern California study showed the direct effect
to coastal water quality from urban stormwater draining from the Santa Ana River. In the zone surrounding the river’s
confluence, fecal indicator bacteria concentrations were found to be up to 500 percent greater than California’s ocean

bathing water standards.9 In addition to human health effects, urban runoff has been found to have significant impacts
on aquatic life in receiving waters.10 Urban runoff can lead to excess sedimentation, suffocating fish eggs and smothering
the habitat of bottom-dwelling organisms such as aquatic insects, which are a food source for many fish and other wild-
life species. Toxic chemicals washed into the water can increase the susceptibility of aquatic organisms to disease, interfere
with reproduction, reduce the viability of offspring, or kill aquatic species.11
EPA regulations require cities and industrial and construction sites to obtain permits, develop stormwater manage-
ment plans, and implement best management practices; however, only limited progress has been made to date. Vigorous
implementation and enforcement and ambitious pollutant reduction goals are necessary to make this program successful.
Unfortunately, despite the magnitude of stormwater pollution, the EPA has still not set baseline technology standards for
new construction and development.2
Combined Sewer Overflows
Combined sewer systems (CSSs) carry both raw sewage from residences and industrial sites and stormwater runoff from
streets to sewage treatment plants. Unfortunately, in heavy rainfall, the volume of the combined wastewater becomes too
great for the treatment plant to handle. In such circumstances, the flow is diverted to outfall points that discharge pollut-
ants—including raw sewage; floatables such as trash, syringes, and tampon applicators; toxic industrial waste; and con-
taminated stormwater—into the nearest stream or coastal waterway.
Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are a major cause of pathogen contamination in marine and Great Lakes waters
near urban areas, discharging 850 billion gallons of raw
sewage every year.13 According to the EPA, 43,000 CSO Combined sewer overflows (CSOs)
events occur per year nationwide. Although they are most
14 are a major cause of pathogen con
prevalent in urban areas, CSOs affect 46 million people tamination in marine and Great Lakes
in 746 communities throughout 32 Northeast and Great
Lakes states.15 Combined sewer overflows contaminate waters near urban areas, discharg-
shellfish waters and recreational beaches. Shellfish harvesting 850 billion gallons of raw sewage
ing is restricted in the majority of the 659 shellfish beds lo- every year.
cated close to a CSO outfall.16 Although an EPA policy that
aims to reduce these overflows has been in effect since 1994, virtually all combined sewer systems continue to overflow
when it rains. As of 2004, only 59 percent of communities with CSOs had submitted plans for controlling them.17
Global warming is predicted to increase the amount of rainfall, leading to increased sewer overflows in the Great Lakes
and New England key regions, where the majority of CSSs are concentrated.18 As communities plan for CSO mitiga-
tion projects, they will need to consider whether future precipitation amounts will be consistent with present conditions.
Given the uncertainty in predicting our future climate, communities will need to decide whether to ensure mitigation
effectiveness based on predicted changes, or be faced with potentially significant retrofit costs in the future to maintain
effective mitigation.
Sanitary Sewer Overflows and Sewer-Line Break Discharges
Sanitary sewer systems—those designed to carry only human and industrial waste from buildings to sewage treatment
plants—also pose a threat to bathing-beach safety. As of 2004, separate sanitary sewers were serving 164 million people
nationwide.19 Although most of these systems were built more recently than combined stormwater and sewer systems,
they are also aging and deteriorating rapidly.20 A nationwide survey of 42 treatment plants found some that have been
in use for as long as 117 years, with the average being 33 years.21 As the pipes deteriorate, population increases, and re-
habilitation and maintenance schedules lag, pipes can break and spill sewage directly onto streets or into waterways. The
EPA has estimated that between 23,000 and 75,000 sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) occur annually, discharging a total

of 3 billion to 10 billion gallons of sewage per year.22 Many of these overflows discharge untreated sewage directly into
coastal waterways or their tributaries.
Nearly 70 percent of sewage overflows from human-waste sewage lines are due to breaches, obstructions such as tree
roots or grease clogs, line breaks, and mechanical failures.23 These dry-weather overflows are frequent enough, but when
sanitary sewers become overloaded as rain seeps into cracks or flows into the sewer system from stormwater cross-con-
nections or open manholes, the sewer system is even more likely to overflow and discharge raw sewage from manholes,
overflowing pipes, and treatment-plant bypasses. Although only 26 percent of sanitary sewer overflows nationwide were
caused by wet weather events and related inflow and infiltration, these events accounted for nearly 75 percent of the total
SSO volume discharged.24 In January 2001, the EPA proposed SSO regulations that would have required improved ca-
pacity, operation, and maintenance as well as public notification when these overflows occur. Unfortunately, instead of
finalizing these proposed rules to prevent SSOs, the Bush administration shlved them.
Inadequately Treated Sewage
Sewage plants near coastal waters tend to serve densely populated, rapidly growing urban areas. When too many homes
and businesses are hooked up to a sewage treatment plant, the plant cannot treat the sewage adequately. Plants that
exceed their capacity or the capacity of their collection systems are prone to more frequent bypasses and inadequate
treatment. Moreover, sewage treatment plants can, and often do, malfunction as the result of human error, breakage of
old equipment, or unusual conditions in the raw sewage. When that happens, raw or partially treated sewage may be dis-
charged into coastal waterways and their tributaries.
To make matters worse, in 2003 the EPA proposed allowing plants to discharge largely untreated sewage during rains
so long as it was sufficiently diluted by “blending” it with treated sewage. During blending, instead of providing full
secondary treatment for all sewage, treated and untreated sewage are mixed and released, increasing the pathogen load to
receiving waters. Scientific analysis of pathogen data from blended sewage discharges gathered by the Milwaukee Public
Health Department indicated that people swimming at the sewage discharge point in Lake Michigan would have had
a 50 percent chance of contracting giardiasis after this blended sewage had been released; this represents a thousand-
fold increase in the risk of getting sick as a result of exposure to pathogens while swimming.25 Follow-up research in
Milwaukee has found a connection between pediatric hospital admissions for gastroenteritis and blending events.26 The
EPA’s proposal to allow blending created such a firestorm of protest that the agency was forced to withdraw it.27 It has
proposed replacing that policy with a requirement for full treatment for sewage to the maximum extent feasible, but has
not yet finalized that proposal.28
Under section 301(h) of the federal Clean Water Act sewage treatment plants may obtain a waiver allowing them to
forgo basic federal secondary-treatment requirements and discharge wastes into marine waters that have undergone only
primary treatment. Releasing primary-treated sewage into
water bodies degrades receiving waters and poses serious In Morro Bay waters, the threatened
risks to public health and the marine ecosystem. The vast California sea otter is nine times more
majority of pathogens are not removed by primary treat-
likely to be infected with the parasite
ment of wastewater.29 For example, 85 percent of Shigella
bacterium, 85-100 percent of salmonella, 50-100 percent Toxoplasma gondii—which causes
of Entamoeba histolytica, and greater than 90 percent of disease and death—than sea otters
fecal coliform may remain in wastewater even after primary not near the outfall.
treatment.30 In contrast, secondary treatment removes up to
95 percent of suspended solids in the waste stream,31 and is significantly more effective than primary treatment in remov-
ing biologic pathogens from sewage. For example, secondary treatment removes 80-90 percent of Shigella bacterium, 70-
99 percent of Salmonella, and 75-99 percent of enteric viruses prior to discharge of the effluent.32
While sewage treatment plants with a waiver under section 301(h) have become increasingly rare in the United
States, there are still approximately 30 waivers in use.33 The sewage treatment plant in Morro Bay, California, discharges

primary-treated wastewater just a half-mile offshore, at a depth of only 50 feet. The World Health Organization recom-
mends sewage outfalls to be a minimum of one mile offshore and/or at a minimum depth of 60 feet. In Morro Bay
waters, the threatened California sea otter is nine times more likely to be infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii—
which causes disease and death—than sea otters not near the outfall.34
NRDC recently stepped in to prevent another waiver from being issued to the Morro Bay sewage treatment plant.
After years of pressure from environmental groups and the public, local officials voted unanimously to upgrade the plant.
The plant now will go from discharging the dirtiest wastewater to creating some of the cleanest in the nation —clean
enough to be recycled and reused. The water coming out into the ocean will be 10 times cleaner—so clean, in fact, that
the city may sell it for use at nearby golf courses and irrigation projects.
Agricultural Runoff
In nonurban and suburban areas, rainwater often flows directly over farms, roads, golf courses, and lawns into wa-
terways. Agricultural runoff may contain high concentrations of pathogenic animal waste, fertilizers, and pesticides.
The EPA has stated that agricultural runoff is responsible for as much as 70 percent of water quality problems
identified.35 For example, confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) produce huge quantities of manure that
far exceed the assimilation capacity of neighboring crops and pastures and are a contributing source in 20 percent
of impaired rivers and streams.36 Animal waste from large feedlots has been linked to outbreaks of a toxic micro
organism, Pfiesteria piscicida, in the Chesapeake Bay region and North Carolina, causing numerous waterway closings
and serious human and aquatic health impacts. Animal waste can also contain pathogens usually not found in human
waste, such as E. coli 0157:H7, which contaminated baby spinach last fall and resulted in 205 confirmed illnesses and
three deaths.37
Septic Systems
Dwellings built near the coast may be equipped with underground septic systems, which, if not sited, built, and main-
tained properly, can leach wastewater into coastal recreational waters. Homeowners often do not adequately maintain
their septic systems, and there is no federal regulatory program to control waste from septic systems. Local governments
and states rarely inspect septic systems sufficiently to prevent such failures. Fecal matter from malfunctioning or over-
loaded septic systems can contaminate bathing beaches. Runoff can also carry bacteria from failing septic systems far
from the shore into streams that empty into bays near beaches. According to the 2001 American Housing Home Survey,
6 percent of septic systems fail annually, resulting in improper treatment of 66 billion to 144 billion gallons of sewage.
The EPA estimates that one-third of new construction and 25 percent of existing U.S. dwellings use some kind of septic
tank or on-site waste disposal system.38
Boating Wastes
Improperly handled boating wastes can pose a health and aesthetic threat to bathing beaches. Marinas are often located
in confined areas with minimal ocean flushing where wastes can accumulate and pose a serious health threat. Elevated
concentrations of fecal coliform have been found in areas with high boating density.39 Federal law requires boats with
onboard toilets either to treat the waste with chemicals before discharging it or to hold the waste and later pump it out
into a sewage treatment plant. The federal Clean Vessal Act (CVA) was passed in 1992 to provide federal grant money
to states for building pumpout and dump stations in marinas to allow boaters to dispose of human wastes in an environ-
mentally sound manner.40 However, many marinas still lack sufficient pump-out facilities, and compliance with the law
appears to be poor in many areas.1

Oil Pollution
Oil reaches the ocean through its production, transportation, and use, and even from natural seeps. Oil spilled during
tanker accidents, pipeline breaks, and refinery accidents can foul beaches. Many oils evaporate quickly, creating unsafe
fumes. Other oils form globules that can float for days and wash onto beaches for weeks after a spill. In addition to cata-
strophic oil spills, small oil spills occur every time it rains. Over the course of a year, urban runoff from a city of 5 million
can contain as much oil and grease as a large tanker spill.42 Normal ship operations also frequently cause small oil spills.
A report by the National Research Council states that nearly 85 percent of the 29 million gallons of petroleum that enter
North American ocean waters each year as a result of human activities comes from land-based runoff, polluted rivers,
airplanes, and small boats and jet skis. The report estimated that two-stroke outboard motors release between 0.6 million
and 2.5 million gallons of oil and gasoline into U.S. coastal waters each year.43 Oil runoff from cars and trucks is increas-
ing in coastal areas where population growth has resulted in expanding roads and parking lots.44
Waterfowl
Municipalities also list waterfowl as the cause of beach closings or advisories. During migration season, large or excessive
populations of waterfowl can gather at beaches or in suburban areas that drain into beaches. These dense clusters occur
when other potential waterfowl habitats are unavailable, often because wetlands have been filled or ecological conditions
have been altered (for example, when Canada geese that were previously migratory become resident). Waterfowl are also
attracted by food sources, including trash or litter left on beaches and in overflowing garbage cans. The fecal matter from
these waterfowl can sometimes overload the normal capacity of a beach to absorb natural wastes, degrading water quality,
particularly if there is no vegetation around the waterway to absorb the waste
Notes
1 R. Haile et al., An Epidemiological Study of Possible Adverse Health Effects of Swimming in Santa Monica Bay, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project,
1996.
2 NOAA- National Ocean Service, Population Trends Along the Coastal United States: 1980–2008, September 2004, p. 6, available at: http://www.
oceanservice.noaa.gov.
3 Ibid., p.1.
4 Dana Beach, Coastal Sprawl—The Effects of Urban Design on Aquatic Ecosystems in the United States, Pew Ocean Commission, 2002; U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Summary Report 1997 Natural Resources Inventory, December 2000.
5 Michael A. Mallin, “Wading in Waste,” in Scientific American, June 2006, pp. 53–59.
6 Bartlett Gold, McGee, and Deets, Pathogens and Indicators in Stormdrains Within the Santa Monica Bay Watershed, Santa Monica Bay Restoration
Project, 1992, p. 18. See also R. Haile et al., An Epidemiological Study of Possible Adverse Health Effects of Swimming in Santa Monica Bay, Santa Monica
Bay Restoration Project, 1996.
7 EPA, Report to Congress: Impacts and Control of CSOs and SSOs, April 26, 2004, EPA 833-R-04-001, p. 4-29, available at: http://cfpub.epa. gov/npdes/cso/
cpolicy_report2004.cfm.
8 EPA, National Water Quality Inventory: 1998 Report to Congress, EPA 841-R-001, June 2000.
9 John Ho Ahn, Stanley B. Grant, Cristiane Q. Surbeck, Paul M. Di Giacomo, Nikolay P. Nezlin, and Sunny Jiang, “Coastal Water Quality Impact
Of Stormwater Runoff From An Urban Watershed In Southern California,” in Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 39, No. 16, 2005, pp. 5,940-
5,953.
10 D. Hoffman, B. Rattner, G.A. Burton, Jr., and J.Cairns, Jr., Handbook of Ecotoxicology, 2nd Edition (Boca Raton, FL: CRC-Lewis, 2002).
11 EPA, National Water Quality Inventory: 2000 Report to Congress, EPA 841-R-02-001, August 2002.
12 Federal Register, Vol. 69, No. 801, Monday, April 26, 2004, p. 22,472.
13 EPA, Report to Congress: Impacts and Control of CSOs and SSOs, p. 4-13.
14 Ibid , p. 4-19.
15 Ibid, p. 4–13.
16 Ibid , p. 5-14.
17 Ibid, p. ES 5.
18 Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 60, March 29, 2007, pp. 14,803-14,804.

19 Ibid , p. 4-22.
20 The American Society of Civil Engineers has given the U.S. wastewater system an overall rating of D-minus. ASCE, Report Card for America’s
Infrastructure, 2005, available at:http://www.asce.org/reportcard/2005/index.cfm.
22 Ibid, p. 4-29.
23 Ibid, p. 4-27.
24 Ibid, p. 4-27.
25 Joan B. Rose, Michigan State University, personal communication, March 24, 2004.
26 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Kids’ Illnesses Raise a ‘Red Flag,’ ” April 30, 2006, available at http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=419926.
27 Congressional Record H3665-3669, May 19, 2005.
28 See “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Requirements for Peak Wet Weather Discharges from Publicly Owned
Treatment Works Treatment Plants Serving Separate Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems,” in Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 245, December 22, 2005, p.
76,013.
29 National Research Council, Issues in Potable Reuse: The Viability of Augmenting Drinking Water Supplies with Reclaimed Water, National Academy
Press, Washington, D.C., 1998 pp. 90-91.
30 Ibid, p. 92.
31 Ibid, p. 92.
32 Ibid, p. 92.
33 EPA, Ocean Regulatory Programs, available at: http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/oceans/discharges/301list.html.
34 For more information about threats to the sea otter and ongoing research, visit the Sea Otter Alliance website: http://seaotterresearch.org/.
35 Cook M. Reducing Water Pollution from Animal Feeding Operations. Testimony before Subcommittee on Forestry, Resource Conservation, and
Research of the Committee on Agriculture, U.S. House of Representatives, May 13, 1998. Available: http://www.epa.gov/ocir/hearings/testimony/105_
1997_1998/051398.htm.
36 Marc Ribaudo and Noel Gollehon, Animal Agriculture and the Environment, Economic Research Service/U.S. Department of Agriculture; in
Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators, 2006 Edition, EIB-16, pp. 124-133.
37 U.S. Food and Drug Adjministration, FDA News: FDA Finalizes Report on 2006 Spinach Outbreak, available at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/
NEWS/2007/NEW01593.html.
39 Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, State of the Sound, 1992, p. 22.
40 U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Keep Our Waters Clean- Use Pumpouts, available at: http://federalasst.fws.gov/cva/cva.html.
41 A 1987 Maryland survey found that 80 percent of boaters did not comply with the law. See Alliance for Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay Citizen
Report, 1989, p. 1. A similar survey of Puget Sound boaters, conducted in the summer of 1988, found that 37 percent had no toilet equipment or
discharged raw sewage directly into the water. See Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, Managing Nonpoint Pollution: An Action Plan Handbook for
Puget Sound Watersheds, 1989, pp. 8–10.
42 From the Ocean Planet Exhibition, Smithsonian Institution, 1995. Information available at: http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/
HTML/peril_oil_pollution.html.
43 National Research Council, Oil in the Sea: Inputs, Fates, and Effects, National Academies Press, 2002.
44 Ibid.

Chapter 2
Health Risks and Economic

Impacts of Beach Pollution
The sources of pollution that pose a risk to swimmers are present in every state, at least to some degree. Over the long
term, more aggressive measures to identify and prevent pollution would reduce disease-causing pathogens in our water-
ways to levels that would no longer make swimmers sick. But for now, monitoring beaches and notifying the public are
the only ways to ensure that swimmers know their recreational waters are safe when they visit the beach.
Diseases Caused by Pathogens in Bathing Waters
Polluted waters may contain disease-causing organisms, called pathogens. The most common types of pathogens are
those associated with sewage pollution, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Enteric pathogensthose that live in the
human intestinecan carry or cause a number of infectious
diseases. Swimmers in sewage-polluted water can contract The Centers for Disease Control and
any illness that is spread by ingestion of fecal-contaminated Prevention concluded that the inci-
water (AIDS and many other diseases are not carried by
dence of infections associated with
enteric pathogens).1 Pathogens cause a wide variety of acute
illnesses including gastroenteritis, respiratory infection, di- recreational water use has steadily in-
arrhea, ear infection, and others (see Table 4). While most creased over the past several decades.
illnesses last from a few days to several weeks, in some cases
pathogens may cause severe, long-term illness or even death. Sensitive populations such as children, the elderly, or those
with weakened immune systems, are particularly at risk for these long-term effects.
Swimming-associated diseases such as gastroenteritis, hepatitis, respiratory illness, and ear, nose, and throat problems
are believed to be frequently caused by viruses. Gastroenteritis, which can also be caused by bacteria, is a common term
for a variety of diseases that can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, nausea, headache, and fever.
Other microbial diseases that can be contracted by swimmers include salmonellosis, shigellosis, and infection caused by
E. coli (a type of enteric pathogen). Other microbial pathogens found in varying concentrations in recreational waters
include amoebae and protozoa, which can cause giardiasis, amoebic dysentery, skin rashes, and pinkeye. Giardiasis, a pro-
tozoan infection, is the most commonly reported intestinal disease in North America.2
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) such as red tides are another cause of disease and a growing problem in surface waters
where nutrient-rich pollution can spur algal growth. Exposure to HABs can cause a suite of illnesses including diarrhea,
memory loss, liver failure, abdominal pain, fever, and skin irritation.3
Incidence of Diseases Contracted by Swimmers
Swimming in polluted water can make you sick. Studies conducted during the past several decades show a clear rela
tionship between the amount of indicator bacteria in coastal and Great Lakes waters and the incidence of swimming-
associated illnesses. Common indicator bacteria include total and fecal coliform, enterococcus, and E. coli. They are
called indicator bacteria because, although they may not be directly harmful to humans, they are relatively easy to test
for and are typically found in the presence of harmful pathogens. However, the effectiveness of bacterial indicators as
predictors of viral contamination is questionable.4

Since 1971, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), the EPA, and the Council of State and
Territorial Epidemiologists has worked to maintain the Waterborne Disease and Outbreak Surveillance System for col-
lecting and reporting waterborne disease and outbreak-related data. Their most recent report released in 2006 summarizes
findings for January 2003–December 2004. During this survey period, 62 waterborne disease outbreaks were reported
(see Table 3). These outbreaks caused illness in 2,698 people, resulting in 58 hospitalizations and one death. The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that the incidence of infections associated with recreational water use has
steadily increased over the past several decades. The increase is attributed to a combination of factors, such as the emer-
gence of new pathogens, increased participation in aquatic activities, and better reporting.5
Table 4. Details on the 62 Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Reported to CDCP: Jan 2003-Dec 2004
Associated Illnesses Incidence
Gastroenteritis 30 (48.4%)
Dermatitis 13 (21.0%) Etiologic Agents Identified:
Bacteria 32.3%
Acute Respiratory Illness 7 (11.3%)
Parasite 24.2%
Others:
Virus 9.7%Chemical or Toxin 4.8%
Amebic Meningoencephalitis, 12 (19.3%)
Meningitis, Leptospirosis, Otitis,
Externa, Mixed Illnesses
In 2005, the first major report of the National Epidemiological Environmental Assessment of Recreational (NEEAR)
Water Study examined the association between recreational freshwater quality and gastrointestinal illness after swimming at
two beaches in the Great Lakes region.6 Both beaches were known to be affected by sewage discharges from waste treatment
plants. Water samples were collected from each beach and tested for enterococcus and bacteroides using rapid methods.
The NEEAR Water Study reported finding one beach where subjects with any contact with water were almost twice as
likely to have gastrointestinal illness compared with non-swimmers, with a 10 percent incidence of illness among swim-
mers and a 5 percent incidence among non-swimmers. The rate of gastrointestinal illness among swimmers was 14 per-
cent at the second beach. The presence of the indicator organism enterococcus was associated with the increased risk of
illness. The study concluded that enterococcus measured using rapid methods can predict gastrointestinal illness among
those who have swum in fecally contaminated freshwater, and that samples collected each morning could allow beach
managers to assess the microbiological safety of the beach before most beachgoers are exposed.
A large-scale 1995 epidemiological study investigated possible adverse health effects associated with swimming in
ocean waters contaminated by urban runoff.7 The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project study involved initial interviews
with 15,492 beachgoers who bathed and immersed their heads, as well as follow-up interviews with 13,278, to ascertain
the occurrence of certain symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, and diarrhea. The study found an increase in risk of ill-
ness associated with swimming near flowing stormdrain outlets in Santa Monica Bay, compared with swimming more
than 400 yards away. For example, swimmers near stormdrains were found to have a 57 percent greater incidence of fever
than those swimming farther away. This study also confirmed the increased risk of illness associated with swimming in
areas with high densities of indicator bacteria. Illnesses were reported more often on days when water samples tested posi-
tive for enteric viruses.
In a recent California study the rates of reported health symptoms among surfers were compared in urban North
Orange County and rural Santa Cruz County during two winters to determine the health impacts of exposure to urban
runoff.8 The urban North Orange County surfers who were interviewed for the study reported almost twice as many
symptoms as the rural Santa Cruz County surfers. There were numerous illnesses reported by the study participants, in-
cluding respiratory disease, fever, nausea, gastrointestinal illness, sore throat, vomiting and others. In both study years, the
risk of illness increased for all symptom categories by 10 percent for each 2.5 hours of weekly water exposure.
Swimmers who contract a waterborne illness may also pass the disease on to household members, multiplying the ef-
fect of the polluted water. While swimming-related illnesses are usually not severe or life threatening, they can take a sub-

stantial toll in terms of convenience, comfort, and the well-being of the people affected. They can also result in
substantial economic costs from lost work or sick days. Moreover, gastroenteritis can be serious for sensitive populations,
such as small children. Children under the age of nine have more reports of diarrhea and vomiting from exposure to wa-
terborne parasites than any other age group, with at least a twofold increase occurring over the summer swimming
months.9 The EPA is being urged to revise water quality standards to reflect the risk to sensitive populations.
Table 5. Pathogens and Swimming-Associated Illnesses

Pathogenic Agent Disease
Bacteria
Campylobacter jejuni Gastroenteritis
E. coli Gastroenteritis
Salmonella typhi Typhoid fever
Various enteric fevers (often called paratyphoid), gastroenteritis, septicemia
Other salmonella species
(generalized infections in which organisms multiply in the bloodstream)
Shigella dysenteriae and other species Bacterial dysentery
Vibrio cholera Cholera
Vibrio vulnificus Skin and tissue infection, death in those with liver problems
Yersinia spp. Acute gastroenteritis (including diarrhea, abdominal pain)
Aeromonas hydrophila Dysenteric illness, wound infections, gastroenteritis, septicemia
Leptospira Leptospirosis
Chronic and severe inflammation of the stomach, increased likelihood of
Helicobacter pylori
developing gastric cancer
Legionella pneumoniae Fever, pneumonia
Viruses
Adenovirus Respiratory and gastrointestinal infections
Various, including severe respiratory disease, fever, rash, paralysis, aseptic
Coxsackievirus (some strains)
meningitis, myocarditis
Various, similar to coxsackievirus (evidence is not definitive except in
Echovirus
experimental animals)
Hepatitis Infectious hepatitis (liver malfunction); also may affect kidneys and spleen
Norwalkvirus Gastroenteritis
Poliovirus Poliomyelitis
Reovirus Respiratory infections, gastroenteritis
Rotavirus Gastroenteritis
Calicivirus Gastroenteritis
Polyomavirus Cancer of the colon
Protozoa
Balantidium coli Dysentery, intestinal ulcers
Acanthamoeba Eye infections
Microsporidia Diarrhea
Cayetanensis Abscess in liver or other organs
Cryptosporidium Gastroenteritis
Entamoeba histolytica Amoebic dysentery, infections of other organs
Giardia lambia Diarrhea (intestinal parasite)

Pathogenic Agent Disease

Isospora belli and Isospora hominis Intestinal parasites, gastrointestinal infection
Toxoplasma gondii Toxoplasmosis
Cyclospora Gastroenteritis
Algal Blooms
Cyanobacteria (mainly Microcystis and Severe dermatitis, burning or itching of the skin, erythematous wheals, redness
Anabaena) of lips and, eyes, sore throat, asthma symptoms, dizziness
Karenia brevis (and other Marine Algae) Irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, shortness of breadth
Pfiesteria piscicida Headache, confusion, skin rash, eye irritation, respiratory irritation
Threats to Swimmers from Harmful Algal Blooms
Harmful algal blooms (HABs), also known as “red tides,” pose a serious risk to aquatic and human health. They are natu-
ral phenomenon occurring for a variety of reasons, but can be exacerbated by nutrient overloads into coastal waters.
Nutrients spur harmful algae species such as the photosynthetic dinoflagellates Karenia brevis or Alexandrium tamarense
and the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia australis to multiply rapidly, producing red or green pigmented algal blooms that last for
days, weeks, or months. Red tides may result in serious and potentially life threatening human illnesses that have a slew
of symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, chills, diminished temperature sensation, mus-
cular aches, dizziness, anxiety, sweating, seizures, numbness and tingling of the mouth and digits, and paralysis, as well as
cardiovascular and respiratory symptoms.10 These microscopic algae can adversely impact some of the sea’s largest crea-
tures. In March 2004, dolphin deaths began to be reported in St. Josephs Bay, Florida. Researchers investigating the dol-
phin carcasses confirmed that their deaths were the result of exposure to concentrated algal toxins associated with
blooms.11 By April a total of 107 dolphins had been found dead along the Florida panhandle. The year 2005 was the
second deadliest on record for Florida’s endangered manatee population. One of the leading causes of fatalities was the
toxins produced by K. brevis red tide blooms.12
Although the most common type of poisoning related to toxic blooms comes from eating contaminated shellfish,
there are also instances in which such blooms have directly affected fishermen and swimmers and other recreational
users of near shore marine and riverine waters. Toxic outbreaks of organisms such as Pfiesteria piscicida, which was first
discovered in North Carolina in 1991, have been found to be associated with fish kills as well as with skin and neurologi-
cal damage and memory loss.13 In 1996 red tide algal blooms of Gymnodinium brevii on the west coast of Florida also
resulted in respiratory illness in beachgoers. The incidence of red tides has increased over the past 30 years, particularly
along the New England coastline (see Figure 5).14
Analyzing data over a 50-year period from the southwest coast of Florida, researchers at the University of Miami
determined that K. brevis red tides are occurring with greater frequency, closer to shore, and during more months of
the year. They attribute this phenomenon to greater inputs of nutrients into coastal waters due to increased agricultural
runoff and sewage discharges in the watershed over that time period.15 Elsewhere in the Gulf of Mexico, K. brevis red
tides are becoming more common. Along the Texas coast, red tide blooms occurred in all but one year between 1995 and
2002.16
Sewage pollution is also contributing to increased algal blooms on Florida’s Atlantic coast.17 Since 1990, coral reefs off
southeast Florida have experienced an unprecedented succession of macroalgal blooms and invasions including invasive
species that threaten economically important reef resources in southeast Florida.18
Controlling agricultural nutrient runoff and sewage discharges can reduce the number of red tide events and im-
prove human health and the economy. Land-use and development practices along coastlines and in watersheds can lead
to increased runoff into water bodies and a greater number of red tide events. Human-made alterations to hydrology,
e.g., dredging and infilling, can slow water circulation and thus impede the ability of the water body to cleanse itself
of harmful algae. We must be more mindful of the effects of these practices on the natural aquatic systems and algal

Figure 7. Expansion of HAB Problems in the U.S.20

Pre-1972 Present
(Abbreviations: NSP: Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning, PSP: Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, ASP: Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning,
and DSP: Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning)
blooms. Filter feeding shellfish serve as natural cleansers of phytoplankton, so human activities that diminish shellfish
populations reduce the ecosystem’s capacity to naturally cleanse itself of toxic algae. We need to make a greater effort to
control nutrient pollution from nonpoint sources such as agricultural runoff and septic tank runoff, as well as from point
sources, such as sewage treatment and aquaculture facilities.19
Efforts to deal with red tides are focused on mitigating the effects of these pollution events, primarily through
improving monitoring systems for harmful algal blooms, educating and communicating the risks to the general
population, and learning more about the causes of harmful algal blooms and how they affect humans and aquatic
life. There are some ways, however, that algal blooms can be prevented and controlled. Prevention techniques involve
controlling nutrient pollution from point and nonpoint sources, as well as restricting the movement of harmful algal
species via the shellfish market and ship ballast water. (Ballast water may be heated or chemically treated to prevent the
introduction of invasive species, and trade may be restricted on shellfish from areas experiencing red tides.) There have
also been some innovative attempts to control harmful algal blooms. In Korea, clay has been used to effectively sup-
press red tides. By spreading a thin layer of clay over the surface of the water, the clay particles bind to the algae and
sink to the bottom. Introducing shellfish populations to a water body has also been used as a way to filter harmful algal
blooms naturally.
Adequacy of Water Quality Standards
Under the BEACH Act, the EPA is required to develop water quality criteria for pollutants based on their impact on
human health and aquatic life. States are then required to create limits, or standards, for these pollutants using the EPA-
recommended water quality criteria or other criteria that the EPA deems as protective. In 1986 the EPA developed crite-
ria for testing recreational waters using E.coli and enterococci bacteria as pathogen indicators in Great Lakes (fresh)
waters, and enterococci as indicators in marine waters, based on prior scientific research on their effectiveness (see Table
5).21 Because testing for the full range of pathogens found in beachwaters is difficult, water quality tests have typically
been done using indicator bacteria that signify pathogens may be present.
As of 2000, only 11 states had adopted the 1986 water criteria. Recognizing the need for consistent water quality cri-
teria at recreational beaches, Congress passed the Beach Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act in
2000, amending the Clean Water Act to improve beachwater quality monitoring notification programs and processes of
notifying the public of health risks from contamination at beaches. Under the BEACH Act, states were required to adopt
standards based on the EPA’s 1986 criteria for pathogen indicators. 22 In addition, the EPA was required to complete

studies on the human health effects of pathogens in coastal recreational waters and to develop new criteria and methods
for detecting pathogens by 2005.23
Although the levels set under the 1986 criteria were deemed acceptable by the U.S. EPA, they are not completely safe:
The EPA estiates that 19 out of 1,000 people swimming in ocean waters and eight out of 1,000 swimmers in fresh waters just
meeting these standards will become ill. Put another way, if a family of four was to swim once a week in the summer (June,
July, and August) in ocean waters that just meet the EPA’s standard, one member of the family would probably become ill.
Table 6. BEACH Act–Required Beachwater Water Quality Standards

Standard
Water Type Indicator For Multiple Samples* For a Single Sample
Marine Enterococcus 35 per 100 ml 104 per 100 ml
Fresh Enterococcus 33 per 100 ml 61 per 100 ml
E. coli 126 per 100 ml 235 per 100 ml
*Geometric mean of at least five samples over a 30-day period.
Because the EPA has not yet completed studies on the human health effects of swimming in pathogen-contaminated
waters, they have not yet revised their water quality criteria. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office
(GAO), the current criteria have two significant limitations that make them inadequate for protecting the health of
beachgoers.24 First, current detection methods require a long incubation period, producing results in 24 to 48 hours.
The lag time between when pathogen contaminated waters are sampled to when the public is notified creates a dangerous
window where swimmers can be infected (see Figure 8). Secondly, the current indicators may not indicate the presence of
all pathogens and health risks. Moreover, the GAO points out that standards were developed primarily to address the risk
of contracting gastroenteritis but not necessarily to address rashes, earaches, pinkeye, respiratory infections, or very seri-
ous illnesses such as hepatitis and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
Figure 8. Lag Time Associated with Current Water Quality Monitoring and Public Notification
Methods
Tuesday morning to
Monday morning: Collect Day 2 to 3: Samples are Wednesday afternoon:
water samples incubated and tested Advisory/closure decision
made and public notified
Evidence suggests that current water quality criteria may not be adequate to protect swimmers from all pathogens.
A 2003 study found that while the majority of illnesses derived from recreational use of marine waters are said to be
unidentified, many are caused by viruses.25 This study also noted a trend in research findings that bacterial indicator
occurrence frequently did not correlate with viral occurrence.26 Exposure to even a small number of virus particles can
cause infection.27 A report compiled for Heal the Ocean notes that although disinfected effluent lacks indicator bacteria,
it could still contain viruses at levels high enough to be infectious.28 A study conducted by the department of environ-
mental analysis and design at the University of California, Irvine, found human adenoviruses in four out of 12 samples
taken at the mouths of major rivers and creeks on beaches from Malibu, California, to the border of Mexico in February
and March 1999. Researchers also tested for the bacterial indicators used for beachwater monitoring in the state (total
coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus) but found no correlation with the presence of these viruses. The study recom-
mends that current recreational water quality standards be improved to reflect the presence of viruses and that regular
monitoring for human viruses be conducted on a regular basis.29

Parasites such as cryptosporidium and giardia are a cause of waterborne illnesses in the United States yet are not ac-
counted for by the current standards. Cryptosporidiosis was responsible for 400,000 illnesses and as many as 100 deaths
in Milwaukee in 1993 from contaminated tap water.30 Children are susceptible to chronic episodes of giardia, which can
cause a failure to gain weight and failure to advance mentally and physically. Cryptosporidium has a high mortality rate
in immunocompromised patiets.31
Another potential problem with the EPA’s bacterial in- Red tides may result in serious and
dicator is that the underlying epidemiological studies used potentially life-threatening human
to develop pathogen indicators have been based primar-
illnesses.
ily on exposure to human feces–dominated point-source
contamination coming from pipes. In many coastal areas, urban runoff, septic system discharges, and animal waste can
be larger sources of pathogens in recreational waters than sewage discharges from pipes. For example, a single gram of
dog feces is estimated to contain 23 million bacteria.32 Drinking water contaminated with animal waste killed seven and
hospitalized nearly 100 with bloody diarrhea and vomiting in Walkerton, Ontario, in 2000.33 These deficiencies are espe-
cially dangerous for those most likely to die from infectious diseases contracted from swimming in contaminated beach-
water—the elderly, small children, cancer patients, and others with impaired immune systems.
The EPA included rapid detection technologies as part of its freshwater epidemiological surveys conducted in the
Great Lakes in 2004. The study concluded that the use of faster indicators of recreational water quality would result in
the ability to make decisions about recreational water quality on the day of sample collection and could thereby lower
gastrointestinal illnesses in beach communities.34 The economic benefit of faster testing and earlier posting was found to
be about $202,000 per year for two Great Lakes beaches. Racine Wisconsin is one city that has been testing and piloting
different rapid detection technologies since 2006 with the goal of obtaining EPA approval.35 Meanwhile, because of the
lag time for producing results using current monitoring criteria, states should at least provide adequate warnings to swim-
mers about the risks of infection after a sewage spill or even heavy rainfall near urban areas. Where health risks are signifi-
cant enough, states should take the further step of preemptively closing beaches to swimming.
Researchers who design sampling plans to assess the presence or absence of pathogens in recreational waters must be
mindful of other challenges as well. Recent studies establish that ambient concentrations of bacteria in dynamic aquatic
environments can vary radically within short spatial and temporal scales.36 Also, because pathogens can live much longer in
sediments (particularly fine-grained sediments) than they can in the water column, sediment sampling may be necessary to
adequately assess pathogen loading.37 In the Great Lakes, for instance, higher concentrations of beach closings have been
found near areas with heavy loadings of contaminated sediments.38 Finally, because human viruses are generally more resis-
tant to sunlight than the indicator microorganisms measured, sampling should be conducted in the early morning hours.39
THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF BEACH POLLUTION
Beaches, rivers, and lakes are the number-one vacation destination for Americans. Each year, Americans take more than
1.8 billion trips to waters to fish, swim, boat, or just relax. That is an average of approximately six trips per person per
year. About one-fourth of the population goes swimming in our waterways every year.40
Economic activity associated with the ocean contributed more than $117 billion to the U.S. economy in 2000.41 About
85 percent of all tourism revenue is received in coastal states.42 Polluted water puts these revenues at risk. It can also re-
duce the property value of houses and land near polluted waters. An American Housing Survey found that, other things
being equal, the price of a home located within 300 feet of a waterbody increases by up to 28 percent.43 Investing in
clean water will help protect the millions of visitors to ocean and bay beaches, property values, and the jobs of local busi-
nesspeople that rely on beach recreation and fishing.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection recently conducted a study on the value of certain natural
features in their state, including beaches.44 Assuming that people are willing to pay to be close to environmental features
that are attractive to them, the study analyzed the effect on actual residential housing prices of closeness to beaches. The
study focused on seven local housing markets located in Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, and Ocean counties, which are
representative of the state as a whole. Results showed that in four of the seven markets, sale prices for homes within 300

feet of a beach were from $81,000 to $194,000 higher than homes more than 300 feet away.45 Researchers concluded
that higher property values are associated with proximity to beaches and open water, and that people are willing to pay
more to be closer to these attractive environmental features.
Pathogen pollution not only harms people but also causes ecological impacts, which in turn have economic impacts.46
Each year, 4 million visitors augment the 90,000 inhabitants of the Florida Keys; its reefs are the biggest diving destination
in the world.47 Yet coral reefs are adversely impacted by a combination of rising temperatures, increasing nutrients, and
pathogen pollution from sources such as untreated or inadequately treated sewage. Diseases killing coral, sponges, and other
marine life were first identified about 30 years ago, and most were unknown just 10 years ago.48 Fecal contamination from
sewage in the Florida Keys is thought to be a major source of disease in coral. Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) was once
the most common coral in the Caribbean. Since 1980, more than 90 percent has died.49 In 2006, the species was listed on
the U.S. Endangered Species List.50 Scientists in Queensland, Australia, using an epidemiological technique first used to
link smoking to lung cancer in the 1960s, have uncovered a
Polluted beaches not only cause a loss
causal link between agricultural pollution, low coral biodi-
versity, and poor recolonization of the reef.51 Hard coral bio- to those who had planned to visit the
diversity was found to be almost twice as high on the reefs beach and swim in the water, but also
far from agricultural areas as on the reefs close by. cost local economies tourist dollars
Upsetting the nutrient balance of the oceans can stimu-
late the growth of algae. Algal growth on reefs may damage and jobs.
coral by taking over habitat space that would otherwise be occupied by coral.52 Explosive growth of algae associated with
red tides, or Harmful Algal Blooms, occur in every coastal state. These events also create substantial economic costs in
terms of their effect on public health (lost work days and medical costs), commercial fisheries, recreation and tourism,
and monitoring and management. In a September 2000 report, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution estimated
that red tides cost an average of $4 million per year.53
Polluted beaches not only cause a loss to those who had planned to visit the beach and swim in the water, but also
cost local economies tourist dollars and jobs. Coastal tourism, attributable in part to clean beaches, generates substantial
revenues for state and local governments (see Table 6). Economists estimate that a typical swimming day is worth $30.84
to each individual.54 Depending on the number of potential visitors to a beach, this “consumer surplus” loss can be quite
significant. For example, one study estimated economic losses as a result of closing a Lake Michigan beach due to pollu-
tion as ranging between $7,935 and $37,030 per day.55
While beach closures may be necessary to protect swimmers, they are no substitute for efforts to clean up our wa-
ters. In fact, the Lake Michigan study estimated that even a perfectly implemented beach closure policy would result in
considerable economic losses and reduce predicted illnesses by only 42 percent.56 Another study, performed in Orange
County, California, evaluated the economic burden of several individual illnesses that can be contracted from swimming
in polluted recreational marine waters. The study found that the burden per gastrointestinal illness is $36.58, $76.76
per acute respiratory disease, $37.86 per ear ailment, and $27.31 per eye ailment.57 The annual cumulative public health
burden for the two beaches studied was determined to be $3.3 million, not including personal out-of-pocket expenses as-
sociated with having a prescription filled after a doctor visit or the costs of self-medication.
Coastal industries, such as commercial fin fishing and shell fishing, are also affected by beach pollution. According
to the 2000 U.S. census, the wholesale fish and seafood industries employed 28,710 people at 2,992 establishments
with a total annual payroll of $855 million (a 5 percent increase in employees and a 16 percent increase in payroll
over 1998 levels). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries
Service, U.S. fishermen in the 50 states brought 9.6 billion pounds of commercial fish and shellfish to market in 2005,
with a total annual value of $3.9 billion.58 This value increases more than tenfold, to an estimated $45 billion, in the
retail marketplace.59 Harmful algal blooms, spurred by inputs of nutrients from a variety of sources, including storm-
water, can close shellfish beds for prolonged periods. In the spring and summer of 2005, shellfish beds from Maine to
Cape Cod that represented more than 35 percent of the nation’s clam harvest were closed due to the worst toxic algae
bloom in New England since 1972. The problem was so bad that the governor of Massachusetts asked the Small Business
Administration to declare an “economic injury disaster” for the state’s fishermen and related businesses.60

Some areas either do not monitor their beaches or do not close them when pollution exceeds standards. This can
result in lower short-term losses for businesses in the area, but it also means that those who get sick will incur medical
costs and lost workdays as a result. Cleaning up the sources of pollution so that beachwater does not pose a health risk is
the optimal solution. In the meantime, protecting public health will require increased beachwater monitoring and clos-
ing beaches when contamination is detected, rather than allow people to swim and get sick. Given the large number of
people using beaches and the substantial income from coastal tourism, the cost of monitoring programs is reasonable.
Table 7. Value of Tourism to Selected Coastal States61

State Year Dollar Value (billions) Number of Related Jobs
Alabama 2006 8.3 162,688
Alaska 2002 2.4 39,420
California 2006 93.8 928,700
Connecticut 2004 9.1 110,775
Delaware 2004 1.2 23,000
Florida 2005 62.0 948,700
Georgia 2004 15.4 211,800
Hawaii 2004 11.4 183,800
Illinois 2005 26.2 300,100
Indiana 2004 8.9 264,960
Louisiana 2005 8.1 110,000
Maine 2004 13.6 176,633
Maryland 2004 10.1 115,000
Massachusetts 2004 12.5 125,300
Michigan 2004 17.5 192,700
Mississippi 2006 5.2 103,885
New Hampshire 2005 4.1 66,700
New Jersey 2006 37.6 480,800
North Carolina 2006 15.4 187,200
Ohio 2004 30.7 529,100
Oregon 2006 7.9 88,900
Pennsylvania 2005 25.0 400,000
Puerto Rico 2005 9.8 105,000
Rhode Island 2004 4.7 57,837
South Carolina 2005 16.0 208,083
Texas 2005 49.2 514,050
Virgin Islands 2005 2.3 24,000
Virginia 2005 16.5 206,900
Total 524.9 6,866,031
Notes
1 V. Cabelli, Health Effects Criteria for Marine Recreational Waters, EPA 600/1-84-004, 1983, p. 7.
2 Protozoa: Giardia and Cryptosporidium, Health Canada, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety, Ottawa, July 1996, revised May 1999, available
at: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/water/pdf/ protozoa_final.pdf ). O.D. Simmons, M.D. Sobsey, Enteric Parasites of Health Concern: Overview and Examples,

ENVR 195, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, PowerPoint lecture, Spring 2001. National Academy of Sciences, op.
cit., 1993.
3 Ramsdell, J.S., D.M. Anderson and P.M. Gilbert (Eds.), HARRNESS; Harmful Algal Research and Response: A National Environmetnal Science Strategy
2005-2015, available at: http://www.esa.org/HARRNESS/harrnessReport10032005.pdf
4 Dale W. Griffin, Kim A. Donaldson, John H. Paul, and Joan B. Rose, “Pathogenic Human Viruses in Coastal Waters,” in Clinical Microbiology
Reviews, Vol. 16, No. 1, January 2003, pp. 129–143.
5 Eric J. Dziuban, et al., “Surveillance for Waterborne-Disease Outbreaks: United States, 2002–2004,” in Morbidity and Mortality Report, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, December 22, 2006/55(SS12) pp. 1–30.
6 Timothy J. Wade, Rebecca L. Calderon, Elizabeth Sams, Michael Beach, Kristen P. Brenner, Ann H. Williams, and Alfred P. Dufour, “Rapidly
Measured Indicators of Recreational Water Quality Are Predictive of Swimming-Associated Gastrointestinal Illness,” in Environmental Health Perspectives,
Vol. 114, No. 1, January 2006, pp. 24–28.
7 R. Haile et al., An Epidemiological Study of Possible Adverse Health Effects of Swimming in Santa Monica Bay, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project,
1996.
8 Dwight, Ryan H., Dean B. Baker, Jan C. Semenza, and Betty H. Olson, “Health Effects Associated with Recreational Coastal Water Use: Urban
Versus Rural California”, American Journal of Public Health, April 2004, Vol. 94, No. 4.
9 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cryptosporidiosis Surveillance—United States 1999–2002, January 2005, available at: http://www.cdc.
gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5401a1.htm. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Giardiasis Surveillance—United States, 1998–2002, January
2005, available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5401a2.htm.
10 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/
11 NOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources, Interim Report on the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Unusual Mortality Event Along the
Panhandle of Florida March-April 2004, available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/event2004.htm.
12 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, “Florida’s 2,000-Pound Canary—Red Tide Toll Increasing for Manatees...and Humans” Harbor Branch,
Official Press Release (http://www.hboi.edu/news/press/feb1806.html as viewed on 3/12/2007)
13 V.L. Trainer, “Unveiling an Ocean Phantom,” in Nature, Vol. 413, August 29, 2002, pp. 925–926.
14 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s “The Harmful Algae Page” at http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/HABdistribution/habexpand.html
15 Brand, L.E., Compton, A. “Long-term increase in Karenia brevis abundance along the Southwest Florida Coast”, Harmful Algae Vol. 6, No.
2, February 2007, pp. 232-252.
16 Stumpf, R. P., M. E. Culver, P. A. Tester, M. Tomlinson, G. J. Kirkpatrick, B. A. Pederson, E. Truby, V. Ransibrahmanakul, M. Soracco, “Monitoring
Karenia brevis blooms in the Gulf of Mexico using satellite ocean color imagery and other data”, Harmful Algae, Vol. 2, No. 2, June 2003, pp. 147-160.
17 Ibid., pp. 1,106-1,122.
18 Lapointe, B.E., P.J. Barile, M.M. Littler, D.S. Littler, “Macroalgal blooms on southeast Florida coral reefs: II. Cross-shelf discrimination of nitrogen
sources indicates widespread assimilation of sewage nitrogen,” Harmful Algae Vol. 4, Issue 6, November 2005, pp. 1,106-1,122.
19 See Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, “Prevention Control and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms: A Research Plan,” September 2001,
pp. 9–10 at http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/pertinentinfo/PCM_HAB_Research_Plan.pdf.
20 Anderson, Donald M., “Harmful Algal Blooms: An Expanding Problem in the U.S. Coastal Zone,” Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution,
presented to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy at the Northeast Regional Meeting July 23-24, 2002, Boston, MA, available at: http://www.
oceancommission.gov/meetings/jul23_24_02/anderson_testimony.pdf.
21 EPA, Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria, EPA 440/5-84-002, 1986.
22 33 USC 1342(q).
23 33 U.S.C. 1254, sec. 104(v) and 33 U.S.C 1314(a), sec. 304(a).
24 U.S. Government Accountability Office, Report to Congressional Requesters, Great Lakes: EPA and States Have Made Progress in Implementing the
BEACH Act, But Additional Actions Could Improve Public Health Protection, May 2007, pp 15-17.
25 Dale W. Griffin, Kim A. Donaldson, John H. Paul, and Joan B. Rose, “Pathogenic Human Viruses in Coastal Waters,” in Clinical Microbiology
Reviews, Vol. 16, No. 1, January 2003, pp. 129–143.
26 Ibid.
27 EPA, 2004 Report to Congress, p. 6-3.
28 Howard Kantor, environmental microbiologist, personal communication, May 16, 2003. Data collected through 2005, available at: http://www.
healtheocean.org/virus_data.pdf
29 S. Jiang, R. Noble, W. Chu, “Human Adenoviruses and Coliphages in Urban Runoff–Impacted Coastal Waters of Southern California, Applied and
Environmental Microbiology,” in American Society for Microbiology, Vol. 67, No. 1, January 2001, pp. 179–184.
30 EPA, Infective Dose of Cryptosporidium in Immunocompromised Hosts, October 2002, p. 1, available at: http://www.epa.gov/nerl/research/2001/pdf/g2-
4.pdf.
31 Rachel Katonak and Joan B. Rose, “Public Health Risks Associated with Wastewater Blending,” Michigan State University, Department of Fisheries
and Wildlife, prepared for NRDC, November 17, 2003.
33 S.E. Hrudey, P.M. Huck, P. Payment, R.W. Gillham, and E.J. Hrudey, “Walkerton: Lessons Learned in Comparison with Waterborne Outbreaks in
the Developed World,” in Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science, Vol. 1, July 2002, pp. 397–407.

34 Ritu Tuteja, Julie Hewitt, Matthew Clark, William Wheeler, Elizabeth Sams, Tim Wade, Kristen Brenner, Al Dufour, “Economic Benefits of a New
Beach Water Quality Monitoring Method,” EPA Science Forum, 2005, available at http://www.epa.gov/scienceforum/2005/pdfs/ordposter/Hewitt_
ORD11.pdf.
35 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin’s Great Lakes Beach Monitoring and Notification Program Annual Report, 2006, p. 12, available
at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/wqs/beaches/AnnualReport2006.pdf .
36 A.B. Boehm, S.B. Grant, J.H. Kim, S.L. Mowbray, C.D. McGee, C.D. Clark, D.M. Foley, and D.E. Wellman, “Decadal and Shorter Period
Variability of Surf Zone Water Quality at Huntington Beach, California,” in Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 36, No. 13, 2002, p. 3,885.
37 Kris Christen, “Making Accurate Water-Quality Determinations,” in Environmental Science and Technology Online News, American Chemical Society,
September 18, 2002, available at: http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2002/sep/science/kc_beachwater.html.
38 Environmental Integrity Project, All Backed Up, May 2005, pp. 18, 59.
39 Boehm et al., “Decadal and Shorter Period Variability of Surf Zone Water Quality at Huntington Beach, California,” in Environmental Science & Tech
nology, Vol. 36, No. 13, 2002, p. 3891.
40 EPA, Liquid Assets: A Summertime Perspective on the Importance of Clean Water to the Nation’s Economy, EPA 800-R-96-002, 1996.
41 U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century Final Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Washington, D.C.,
September 2004, Appendix C, p. 3, available at: http://www.oceancommission.gov.
42 Ibid., p. E-6.
43 U.S. Department of Commerce et al., “Perspectives on Marine Environmental Quality Today,” in 1998 Year of the Ocean Discussion Papers, 1998,
p. E-4.
44 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science Research and Technology, “Valuing New Jersey’s Natural Capital: An
Assessment of the Economic Value of the State’s Natural Resources”, April 2007, available at: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/naturalcap/.
45 Ibid., p. S 4.
47 “Sewage Casts Pox on Reefs,” in Nature, June 18, 2002.
48 Environmental and Energy Studies Institute, Endangered Oceans: Threats to Human Health, February 1999.
49 NOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources, Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata), available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/invertebrates/
elkhorncoral.htm.
50 “Endangered and Threatened Species: Final Listing Determinations for Elkhorn Coral and Staghorn Coral,” in Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 89,
May 9, 2006, p. 26852.
51 “Farm Run-Off Linked to Barrier Reef Damage,” New Scientist, June 7, 2003, available at: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3795.
52 “Sewage Nutrients Fuel Coral Disease,” New Scientist, January 11, 2004, available at: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4539.
53 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Estimated Annual Economic Impacts from Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) in the United States, September
2000, p. 7, at http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/pertinentinfo/Economics_report.pdf.
54 EPA, Pathogens and Swimming: An Economic Assessment of Beach Monitoring and Closure, draft report prepared by Environomics, Inc., 1995. The
authors review studies of consumer surplus, which is the excess of willingness to pay over cost, and conclude that $30.84 is a best estimate. See also F.
Bell and V.R. Leeworthy, “Recreational Demand by Tourists for Saltwater Beach Days,” in Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Vol. 18,
no. 3, pp. 189–205; R.G. Walsh, D.M. Johnson, and J.R. McKean, “Benefit Transfer of Outdoor Recreation Demand Studies, 1968–1988,” in Water
Resources Research, Vol. 28, No. 3, 1988, pp. 707–713.
55 S.J. Rabinovici, R.L. Bernknopf, A.M. Wein, D.L. Coursey, and R.L. Whitman, “Economic and Health Risk Trade-Offs of Swim Closures at a Lake
Michigan Beach,” in Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 38, No. 10, 2004, p. 2,742.
56 Ibid., p. 2,737.
57 Ryan H. Dwight, Linda M. Fernandez, Dean B. Baker, Jan C. Semenza, and Betty H. Olson, “Estimating the Economic Burden from Illnesses
Associated with Recreational Coastal Water Pollution: A Case Study in Orange County, California,” in Journal of Environmental Management, pp.1–9.
58 National Marine Fisheries Service, Fisheries Statistics Division, Fisheries of the United States: 2005, February, 2007, available at http://www.st.nmfs.
gov/st1/fus/fus05/index.html.
59 Water and Infrastructure Network, Clean & Safe Water for the 21st Century: A Renewed National Commitment to Water and Wastewater Infrastructure,
April 2000, pp. 1–4.
60 New York Times, “Red Tide Emergency,” June 10, 2005, late edition–final.
61 Sources of information for “Value of Tourism to Selected Coastal States.”:
AK: http://www.alaskatia.org/govtrelations/PDF/TSA_10-25-04.pdf
AL: http://www.800alabama.com/about-alabama/news/press/Tourism2006Report.pdf
CA: http://web4.canr.msu.edu/mgm2/econ/MIindex.htm
CT: http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=2326&q=329202
DE: http://www.ncbl.com/archive/10-05coverstory.html
FL: http://media.visitflorida.org/about/research/
GA: http://www.gov.state.ga.us/press/2005/press800.shtml
HI: http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/main/about/annual-reports/2005-hta.pdf
IL: http://www.tourism.uiuc.edu/itf/facts.asp

IN: http://www.in.gov/tourism/pdfs/IndianaTourismImpact_0613.pdf
LA: http://www.latour.lsu.edu/pdfs/ecoimpact2005.pdf
ME: http://www.econdevmaine.com/resources/tourism/mainefacts04_ME.doc
MD: http://www.choosemaryland.org/newsandevents/pressreleases/05-11-08apr.html
MA: http://www.mass-vacation.com/jsp/static_in/research/welcome.jsp?cat=95
MI: http://www.msue.msu.edu/objects/content_revision/download.cfm/item_id.259874/workspace_id.117274/
state-wide-2004.pdf/
MS: http://www.visitmississippi.org/resources/fy2006%20economic%20impact%20for%20tourism%20in%20mississippi.pdf
NH: http://www.resourcenh.org/page.php?page=research
NJ: http://www.state.nj.us/travel/ppt/fy2006-04-tourism-ecom-impact.ppt
NC: http://www.nccommerce.com/tourism/econ/FastFactsEI_06.pdf
OH: http://industry.discoverohio.com/media/28/430.pdf
OR: http://www.deanrunyan.com/pdf/or06p.pdf
PA: http://mediaroom.visitpa.com/files/nationaltourismweek0426061.doc
PR: http://www.wttc.org/2005tsa/pdf/World.pdf
RI: http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/travelindustry/index.aspx
SC: http://www.scprt.com/files/Research/EconImpactofTravelonSC2005.pdf
TX: http://travel.state.tx.us/asp/tspend.asp?reporttype=a
VI: http://www.wttc.org/2005tsa/pdf/World.pdf
VA: http://www.vatc.org/research/2005VAStateEstimates.pdf

Chapter 3
Beachwater Monitoring and

Closing/Advisory Practices
Passage of the federal Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act on October 20, 2000, has
vastly improved the number and quality of coastal monitoring and public notification programs, but these programs are
still not necessarily comprehensive or sufficiently protective of the health of beachgoers.
The Federal BEACH Act
The BEACH Act was passed by Congress to improve states’ beach monitoring programs and public notification methods
to protect the public from the health risks of beachwater contamination through standardized water quality criteria. The
BEACH Act authorizes the EPA to award grants to states for implementing programs to monitor coastal recreational
waters adjacent to beaches used by the public for compliance with the standards for pathogens and pathogen indicators.
Grant funds are also used to notify the public promptly of any exceedances through posting or equivalent means. To
be eligible for grants, states must develop monitoring and notification programs that are consistent with the EPA’s per
formance criteria. The EPA is required to perform monitoring and notification activities for waters in states that do not
have a program consistent with the EPA’s performance
criteria, using grant funds that would otherwise have been Swimmers continue to be at an
available to the states. unnecessarily elevated risk due to
The BEACH Act authorizes $30 million a year for the limited scope of recreational water
state grants for monitoring and public notification, but
standards.
appropriations have funded only about one-third of that
level each year. The EPA awarded $10 million in annual grants to states for use in improving monitoring and notification
programs in 2002 through 2005, and $9.9 million in 2006. This year the EPA has again awarded $9.9 million in grants
to states (see Table 8).
The BEACH Act also directed the EPA to conduct the necessary epidemiology studies to assess the full human health
risk from exposure to pathogens in coastal recreational waters by 2003 and to subsequently publish new or revised crite-
ria based on these studies by October 2005, and every five years thereafter. States must then adopt these new or revised
criteria. The EPA failed to meet the first deadline. The EPA has concluded some of its freshwater studies and began the
first in a series of marine studies in 2005, but they have not yet finished the necessary studies and there have been no up-
dates to the outdated criteria used to issue standards for beachwater quality. Swimmers continue to be at an unnecessarily
elevated risk due to the limited scope of recreational water standards. The studies and criteria have not yet addressed all
the sources of pollution, all the types of pathogens, and the entire range of waterborne diseases that may threaten beach-
water quality.
States currently use interim standards based on the EPA’s 1986 criteria for testing recreational waters, while they wait
for the EPA to issue revised criteria. The BEACH Act required states with coastal recreational waters to adopt new or
revised water quality standards by April 2004 for pathogens and for pathogen indicators for which the EPA has published
criteria under the Clean Water Act. The state standards were required to be the same as the EPA’s, or as protective of pub-
lic health as EPA standards. In November 2004, the EPA enacted standards for those states that had failed to adopt the
more protective standards by the April 2004 deadline.
In May 2007, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported to Congress on the progress of the
BEACH Act. Among their findings was that the formula the EPA uses to distribute BEACH Act funds is not reflective
of the states’ varied monitoring needs. The GAO concluded that because funding allocations have been only one-third

of the amount authorized by the act annually, the EPA has issued funds based primarily on length of the beach season
and have given much less weight to factors such as states’ total beach miles and beach use, which also have an impact on
public health risk.1 As a result, beach monitoring and public notification programs vary across states and may not con-
sistently protect public health. The GAO has recommended that the EPA adjust the fund distribution formula to more
accurately reflect each state’s need. The GAO also recommended that states be allowed to use their grant funds for inves-
tigation and remediation of pollution sources as well as monitoring and public notification. Currently, most communities
have not identified the specific pollution sources that contaminate their beaches. Increasing the amount of annual grant
funds available to states would help achieve monitoring and notification consistency as well as give states a greater ability
to address pollution sources.2
Table 8. 2007 Federal BEACH Act Grant Allocations to States and Territories
State/Territory Allocation
Alabama $262,510
Alaska $150,000
American Samoa $302,200
California $522,920
Connecticut $224,010
Delaware $211,040
Florida $534,700
Georgia $287,200
Guam $302,680
Hawaii $323,660
Illinois $244,120
Indiana $205,960
Louisiana $325,370
Maine $256,240
Maryland $271,150
Massachusetts $255,940
Michigan $280,610
Minnesota $204,390
Mississippi $257,720
New Hampshire $204,660
New Jersey $279,870
New York $352,830
North Carolina $303,920
Northern Marianas $303,430
Ohio $224,300
Oregon $229,570
Pennsylvania $223,150
Puerto Rico $329,240
Rhode Island $212,990
South Carolina $297,940
Texas $385,180

State/Territory Allocation
U.S. Virgin Islands $303,270
Virginia $279,020
Washington $272,250
Wisconsin $225,960
Variability in State Beachwater monitoring and Public notification

programs
Despite the passage of the BEACH Act, there is still a considerable amount of variability among state beachwater moni-
toring programs and public notification programs, and some state programs may not be adequate for protecting public
health. The EPA’s current published standards include a geometric mean value for multiple samples taken over 30 days,
and an instantaneous single-sample value. Some state and local agencies measure both the geometric mean and the
single sample when taking beachwater samples and issue beach closings or advisories if either standard is exceeded; oth-
ers measure the geometric mean or the single sample but not both. States vary as to how often they sample. Some states
monitor their high-priority beaches almost daily, while other states only monitor their priority beaches once or twice a
week (Table 9). Although the EPA has recommended daily beach monitoring for high-priority beaches, local govern-
ments have stated that they lack the necessary staff and funding to carry this out. As a result, beaches may remain open
during a contamination event on days when they are not sampled. States also vary in their sampling methods. While
most states are consistent in sampling at the same time of day and same location, there is variability in the depth at which
samples are taken. In spite of the EPA’s recommendation that samples be collected at a depth of approximately three feet,
states reported collecting samples at depths ranging from 1-48 inches, which affects the microbial indicator level.3
Public notification programs are inconsistent and may be insufficient for protecting public health. Because states have
established different standards for triggering an advisory or closure, states vary as to whether or not they issue a public
health advisory or close a beach or both when sampling has found bacteria at levels dangerous to human health.4 Some
states wait until there have been two consecutive standard violations before an advisory is issued. Some states may also
use predictive modeling to issue preemptive closures or advisories when a contamination event is expected, such as after
a heavy rain or known sewage overflow, but not all states are using this extra measure to protect beachgoers.
Methods for notifying the public of health advisories and beach closures vary among states as well, and may make
it unnecessarily difficult for beachgoers to get notifications promptly and to get complete information including the
effective date of the closure/advisory.5 There are a variety of notification methods states can use, including toll-free phone
lines, signs posted at beaches, electronic notifications, newspaper notices, and television and radio coverage in conjunc-
tion with the weather report (for information on individual state monitoring and public notification programs, see
Chapter 5, State Summaries).
Table 9. Number and Percent of Tier 1 Beaches Regularly Monitored in 2006

% of Reported Number of Tier 1 % of Tier 1 Beaches
Total Number of Number of
State Beaches That Beaches Monitored Monitored at Least
Beaches Reported Tier 1 Beaches*
Are Tier 1 at Least Once a Week Once a Week
AK 3 2 67% 0 0%
AL 28 9 32% 9 100%
CA 436 336 77% 323 96%
CT 67 46 69% 46 100%
DE 23 17 74% 17 100%
FL 634 308 49% 308 100%

% of Reported Number of Tier 1 % of Tier 1 Beaches

Total Number of Number of
State Beaches That Beaches Monitored Monitored at Least
Beaches Reported Tier 1 Beaches*
Are Tier 1 at Least Once a Week Once a Week
GA 41 17 41% 17 100%
HI 439 49 11% 48 98%
IL 70 66 94% 53 80%
IN 31 8 26% 8 100%
LA 29 7 24% 5 71%
MA 621 13 2% 13 100%
MD 81 46 57% 46 100%
ME 44 42 95% 41 98%
MI 972 212 22% 207 98%
MN 79 8 10% 8 100%
MS 21 15 71% 15 100%
NC 243 93 38% 93 100%
NH 16 7 44% 7 100%
NJ 325 225 69% 225 100%
NY 360 85 24% 70 82%
OH 48 19 40% 19 100%
OR 59 4 7% 4 100%
PA 12 10 83% 10 100%
RI 231 20 9% 16 80%
SC 296 7 2% 7 100%
TX 168 62 37% 62 100%
VA 56 54 96% 54 100%
WA 742 76 10% 76 100%
WI 191 26 14% 26 100%
*Tier 1 beaches are those most frequently used and near potential pollution sources.
Notes
1 U.S. Government Accountability Office, Report to Congressional Requesters, Great Lakes: EPA and States Have Made Progress in Implementing the
BEACH Act, But Additional Actions Could Improve Public Health Protection, May 2007, pp. 15-17.
2 Ibid p. 17.
3 Ibid p. 27.
4 Ibid p. 28.
5 Ibid p. 30.

Chapter 4
Plan of Action
I n the 1992 edition of this report, NRDC unveiled a national beach protection program designed to provide a strong
foundation for monitoring coastal water quality and protecting public health at our beaches. The EPA’s BEACH pro-
gram and the federal BEACH Act have adopted several elements of NRDC’s proposed program. While that effort is not
yet complete, what has become increasingly clear in the intervening years is that beachwater monitoring technology and
posting is inadequate. The beachwater quality testing technology currently being utilized must be upgraded to provide
comprehensive public health warnings in a more timely manner. In addition, instead of merely warning the public or
closing our beaches when they are unsafe, we need to focus on addressing the sources of beachwater pollution so that our
beachwater will not pose a threat to public health. The beachwater quality testing
In May 2007, the 2007 Beach Protection Act, H.R.
2537/S. 1506 was introduced in the U.S. Congress, reau- technology currently being utilized
thorizing the BEACH Act of 2000. If passed, the act will must be upgraded to provide com
mandate the use of rapid testing methods by requiring prehensive public health warnings in
the EPA to develop, and coastal states to adopt, methods
to detect beach water contamination in two hours or less
a more timely manner.
so that beachgoers can be notified promptly of public health risks. The act will also increase the amount of grant money
available to states from $30 million to $60 million annually through 2012 and expand the uses of grant funds to include
source tracking and pollution prevention. NRDC supports this important piece of legislation and sees it as a positive step
in protecting public health and coastal economies
NRDC’s comprehensive 2007 National Beach Protection Program is outlined below. This program would provide a
strong foundation for monitoring coastal water quality and protecting public health at our beaches by preventing beach-
water pollution and warning the public when it is not safe to swim.
NRDC’s National Beach Protection Program
Update Beach Protection Standards and Contamination Detection Methods and Create Monitoring and Advisory
Requirements Today’s beachwater quality standards, which were set in 1986, are deficient and may leave beachgoers
vulnerable to a range of illnesses. The current standards focus on bacteria found in human waste, and may not protect
the public from diseases caused by viruses and parasites, such as cryptosporidium and giardia, which are also a cause of
waterborne illnesses in the United States. The standards should be more protective than the EPA’s current recommended
bacteria standard, which allows 19 illnesses per 1,000 saltwater swimmers and eight illnesses per 1,000 freshwater swim-
mers. Monitoring requirements should protect the public from the full range of waterborne illnesses, including rashes,
earaches, sore throats, and respiratory infections. They should protect in all types of waterbodies, including tropical and
semitropical waters. The standards should be designed to protect sensitive populations, including small children and the
elderly as well as those with prolonged and repeated exposure to beachwater pollution, such as surfers and lifeguards. The
water quality criteria should not just protect from contamination from sewage, but also from pollution carried by storm-
water discharges. More intensive monitoring may be needed in areas of chronic pollution and after rain events. Beach ad-
visories should be posted the first time levels exceed the EPA’s public health standards, and the closing or advisory should
continue until further testing demonstrates that the beachwater is safe. With updated standards and monitoring require-
ments, the public will be assured of a consistently high level of protection.
In May 2007, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported to Congress on its assessment of the EPA’s
implementation of the BEACH Act. The GAO found that the EPA had failed to conduct the necessary epidemiology
studies to update the public health–based standards used to monitor beachwater quality as the BEACH Act requires and

that current water quality monitoring tests are not comprehensive and take too long to produce results. The EPA needs
to speed up and complete the required epidemiology studies and speed up the timetable for proposing new standards.
Rapid methods for detecting beachwater contamination need to be approved and mandated. Current methods require
a long incubation period, producing results in 24 to 48 hours. This lag time between when pathogen-contaminated
waters are sampled and when the public is notified creates a dangerous window during which swimmers can be infected.
Rapid testing methods that give results in two hours or less need to be approved so closure or advisory decisions can be
made the same day samples are taken. If passed, the 2007 Beach Protection Act would require rapid testing and notifica-
tion to ensure that beachgoers know whether the water they swim in is safe.
Public notification programs need to be consistent among states and must provide beachgoers with prompt and
complete information. The EPA needs to update its public notification guidance to states and require states to follow it
as a criterion of grant funding. The public should be notified immediately when monitoring reveals that public health
standards have been violated. Notification should include toll-free phone lines, signs posted at beaches, electronic notifi-
cations, newspaper notices, and television and radio coverage in conjunction with the weather report. States should also
issue preemptive rainfall advisories in anticipation of elevated bacterial levels where a correlation between rainfall and
water quality exists or when sewer overflows or catastrophic events jeopardize beachwater safety. Computer modeling
systems, which take into account current weather and environmental conditions, should be used to predict bacteria levels
and issue advisories in real time.1
Prevent Beachwater Pollution: Provide Assistance for Source Tracking and Remediation. In addition to reducing peoples’
exposure to beachwater pollution through increased monitoring and public notification, the EPA and states need to con-
trol beachwater pollution at the source. As the data show, most beach closures and advisories are due to elevated bacteria
levels. However, in most cases the source of bacterial contamination causing beach closures/advisories is not known.
Federal, state, and local officials need to step up both monetary assistance and enforcement of Clean Water Act programs
to control these sources of pollution. Officials should also set strong regulatory standards to ensure that stormwater and
sewage are being reduced through the best technologies available and that water quality standards designed to protect
humans and wildlife are being met.
To help prevent future contamination, sanitary surveys to identify the source of beachwater pollution should be
required when a water-quality standard designed to protect swimming use is repeatedly exceeded. This information
would also help close the gap that exists between sewer overflows and stormwater discharges and water-quality impacts.
State beachwater programs funded under the federal BEACH Act should be required to obtain and report potential
source information to the EPA, and the EPA should make that information publicly available in searchable databases.
Most important, that information should be used to reduce the sources of beachwater pollution. The GAO recom-
mended that BEACH Act grants provided to states for monitoring and notification programs be expanded for use in
investigating and remediation of pollution sources. Increasing the amount of state BEACH Act grant funding as pro-
posed by the 2007 Beach Protection Act, and expanding the uses of these funds, would provide states necessary assistance
for source identification and remediation.
Implement and Enforce Better Controls on Pollution Sources Preventing beachwater contamination is the best tool for
protecting humans and aquatic life. As an aggressive prevention strategy, we need stricter controls on stormwater and
combined sanitary and sewer overflows. Federal stormwater permitting requirements for municipal systems, industrial
stormwater dischargers, and construction sites are now in place, but these programs need to be implemented and
enforced so that discharges do not contribute to beachwater pollution. The EPA should require programs to use up-
to-date technologies to reduce contaminated stormwater discharges and put additional controls in place where basic
technologies are not sufficient to make beachwater safe. Under court order, the EPA is now required to establish efflu-
ent limitation guidelines (ELGs) and new source performance standards (NSPSs) for construction and development by
December 1, 2009.
Although the EPA’s combined sewer overflow policy has been in place since 1994, as of 2004 only 35 percent of the
828 communities nationwide with combined stormwater and sewage systems had begun implementation of a long-

term plan to control combined sewer overflows.2 Sanitary sewer overflows are illegal, yet the EPA has estimated that
there are more than 23,000 sanitary sewer overflows every year into rivers, lakes, wetlands, and coastal waters.3 A con-
sensus proposal for controlling SSOs was shelved by the White House in January 2001and has never been finalized.
Implementation and enforcement of these programs need to be substantially increased.
We need to be using effective and innovative stormwater management approaches, particularly low-impact develop-
ment (LID), which uses soil and vegetation to capture and filter stormwater where it falls. Water resource protection
goals are not being met by conventional stormwater management, and communities often struggle with the economic
burden of repairing or expanding existing stormwater infrastructure. LID offers an approach that is both more economi-
cally sustainable and more environmentally sound.4
Improve Coordination Between Sanitation and Public Health Officials Improved monitoring, immediate reporting of
overflows to public health authorities and to the general public, and prompt response to overflows to minimize human
exposure and environmental harm are critical steps that need to be taken to close the communication gap between those
responsible for sewage and stormwater treatment and those charged with protecting public health. The public has the
right to know when there is a sewer overflow or stormwater discharge that threatens beachwater quality, and they should
be informed when it happens, not days later when the beachwater monitoring results finally arrive. In response to the
need for public notification, The Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act, H.R. 2452 was introduced
in May 2007. If passed, this act will amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct owners or operators of
publicly owned treatment works to 1) institute an alert system for sanitary sewer overflows; 2) notify the public of such
overflows in areas where human health is potentially affected within 24 hours; 3) immediately notify public health au-
thorities, such as beachwater managers, and other affected entities; and 4) provide specified reports to the Administrator
of the EPA or the state.5 NRDC supports H.R. 2452, which would ensure that beachwater managers and the public
know about sewage spills that could endanger public health. We also support the Beach Protection Act provision to
require public health officials to inform environmental organizations when they find a violation so that its source can
be addressed.
Close the Funding Gap The EPA estimates that there will be a funding gap between the costs of sewage and storm
water controls and available resources of between $72 billion and $229 billion over the next 20 years, depending
on the growth of the economy.6 This funding gap will only grow over time as we continue to defer operations and
maintenance and allow our sewer and stormwater systems to deteriorate. Congress needs to assist state and local
communities in bridging the funding gap by substantially increasing the federal resources available to meet clean
water needs through the creation of a Clean Water Trust Fund or other dedicated source of clean water funding.
Communities also need to spend smarter by preserving and enhancing the use of wetlands, soil, and vegetation to
reduce beachwater pollution.7 In watersheds with at least 13.5 percent wetland coverage, periods of rainfall do not
substantially increase fecal coliform bacteria counts.8 The Water Quality Financing Act, H.R. 720, which is currently
pending in the Senate, would authorize $14 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund over the next four years
and provide critical assistance for projects that repair and rebuild failing water and wastewater infrastructure, including
the use of LID.
Finally, the 2007 Beach Protection Act has proposed a doubling of the federal grants made available to states
under the BEACH Act. This funding is crucial and should not only be authorized but should be fully appropriated
to provide states with the full support they need to tackle beachwater contamination and protect the public and the
environment.
15 Simple Things Individuals Can Do to Help Improve Beachwater

Quality and Protect Their Health
Everyone can help reduce beachwater pollution. For example, we can all take steps to reduce the amount of water sent to
sewage treatment plants—which have the potential to overflow—by helping to reduce polluted runoff. Individuals can

also make a difference by becoming educated and expressing their desire for clean, healthy water. Below are 15 simple ac-
tions individuals can take to improve our beachwater.
1. Conserve water. Reduce the amount of water you use at home. Extra water overwhelms sewage treatment plants
and contributes to raw sewage overflows. a) Do not let water run unnecessarily when brushing your teeth, shaving, or
washing dishes. b) Install a displacement device, such as a small plastic bottle, in your toilet. Or, even better, install a
1.6‑gallon-per-flush water-saving toilet to save thousands of gallons annually. c) Install faucet aerators and a water-effi-
cient showerhead to cut the amount of water you use by 50 percent and to save energy by reducing hot water use. d) Use
a bucket and sponge instead of a hose when washing your car to save more than 100 gallons of water.9
2. Read product labels. To avoid contaminating local waterways, choose nontoxic alternatives to household cleaners with
harsh chemicals. You can use baking soda, for example, to deodorize drains, clean countertops and polish stainless steel.
See NRDC’s Simple Steps website (www.simplesteps.org) and This Green Life (http://www.nrdc.org/thisgreenlife/0405.
asp), as well as the EPA’s Safe Substitutes at Home fact sheet (http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/safe-fs.html) for more non-
toxic household alternatives.
3. Don’t pour it down the drain. When you dump paint, oil, harsh cleansers, and other hazardous products down the
drain, they can find their way into nearby bodies of water. Contact your local sanitation, public works, or environmental
health department to find out about hazardous waste collection days and sites.
4. Direct runoff to soil, not street. Rain gutters and down spouts on your home should lead to soil, grass, or gravel areas,
and not blacktop, cement, or other hard surfaces. Wash your car on the lawn instead of on the street or driveway. Sweep
your driveway and sidewalks, rather than hosing them down.
5. Maintain your septic system. Have your septic tank cleaned out every three to five years. Such maintenance prolongs
the life of your system and can help prevent groundwater contamination and beachwater contamination.
6. Clean up after your pet. Don’t leave pet waste on the ground. It could contain harmful bacteria and excess nutrients
that can wash into stormdrains and eventually pollute local waters. Flush it, bag it, or look for signs in public parks that
direct pet owners to appropriate trash receptacles.
7. Practice proper lawn and garden care. Use natural fertilizers such as compost on your garden, and minimize the use of
chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Landscape with natural vegetation rather than lawns, which require fertil-
izers and herbicides, to reduce the amount of runoff and pollution.
8. Recycle used motor oil. A single quart of motor oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water. Resist the tempta-
tion to dump waste oil on the ground or pour it into gutters or stormdrains. Inquire about local programs that buy back
waste oil and dispose of it properly.
9. Keep up on vehicle maintenance. Make sure your car isn’t leaking oil, coolant, antifreeze, or other hazardous liquids.
Bring it to a mechanic for regular checkups.
10. Practice proper marine and recreational boating waste disposal. Dispose of your boat sewage in onshore sanitary
facilities. Don’t dump sewage or trash overboard. Boating wastes discharged into coastal waters can be a major cause of
high pathogen concentrations.
11. Make sure infants wear swim diapers and rubber pants. Children not yet toilet trained should be dressed in a swim
diaper and rubber pants or a similar tight-fitting outer garment. An extra layer of protection in addition to a swim diaper
is necessary to help prevent bacteria from entering the water.

12. Clean up after yourself at the beach. Pick up your garbage if you bring a picnic to the beach. And do not feed the
birds or other wildlife. Seagulls and other wildlife are attracted to the garbage and food waste that people often leave
behind on the beach and feeding them will only encourage their permanent presence there. The fecal matter left on the
beach by wildlife visitors can contribute to elevated bacteria levels in the water and cause the beach to close. Waste from
wildlife is one of the three largest known sources of bacterial pollution. Help convince your local beach management
agency to invest in secure garbage cans with close-fitting lids.
13. Learn about the water quality at local beaches. Go to NRDC’s website (www.nrdc.org), the EPA’s website (www.
epa.gov and than BEACON), Earth 911 (www.beaches911.org), or your local public health authority, all of which have
data on beach monitoring and notification policies and on closings/advisories. Also, to show your concern, ask an
official with your county’s or town’s department of health: a) What are the sources of pollution affecting the waters where
I swim? b) What sort of water-quality monitoring is performed at these beaches? c) Are beaches always closed when
monitoring shows that the bacterial standard is exceeded? d) What is the current status of these waters (are they closed or
open?), and what warning signs can I look for?
14. Choose your beaches carefully. Whenever possible, swim at the beaches that your research shows have the cleanest
waters or are carefully monitored with strict closure or advisory procedures in effect. Beaches adjacent to open ocean and
beaches that are removed from urban areas generally pose less of a health risk than do beaches in developed areas or in
enclosed bays and harbors with little water circulation. Stay away from beaches with visible discharge pipes, and avoid
swimming at urban beaches after a heavy rainfall.
15. Support local, state, and federal legislation that promotes the cleanup of pollution sources. Write to your representa-
tives and senators and let them know you support strong beach legislation and clean water protections. Tell your local
government to move forward quickly to address sewage overflows and stormwater. Make sure you tell officials that you
are willing to pay for programs to monitor beaches and reduce runoff pollution.
For more ways you can prevent beachwater pollution, visit NRDC’s Your Oceans website (http://oceans.nrdc.org/
coastaldwellers/guide).
Notes
1 USGS Ohio Water Science Center, “Nowcasting Beach Advisories,” June 28, 2006, available at: http://www.ohionowcast.info/index.asp.
2 EPA, Report to Congress on Implementation and Enforcement of the Combined Sewer Overflow Control Policy, p. 7-3, August 2004.
3 EPA, 2004 Report to Congress, p. ES-5.
4 Low Impact development Center, Inc, available at: http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/.
5 33 U.S.C. 1342, sec. 402(r).
7 Christopher Kloss and Crystal Calarusse, Rooftops to Rivers: Green Strategies for Controlling Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows, NRDC,
June 2006.
9 The Earth Works Group, 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth, 1989.

Chapter 5
State Summaries
The following pages contain the summaries of state beachwater quality standards, monitoring and closing/advisory
practices, and NRDC’s database of 2006 monitoring results and closings and advisories, listed alphabetically by state. It
is impossible to make direct comparisons between states or to assess trends over time on the basis of advisory and closure data.
Standards, monitoring, and closing/advisory practices vary
from state to state, making it difficult to know, for exam- High numbers of closings and
ple, whether a state with many closings has vigilant health advisories may indicate that the state
officials or has more coastal pollution. Until procedures are
or county is making a good effort to
consistent, it will be very difficult to assess trends in beach-
water quality. It is also impossible to make comparisons protect the public health by monitoring
because of the ways beaches are designated by officials. its waters and closing beaches when
Some areas may have a greater number of beaches per mile they are polluted.
of coast than others.
High numbers of closings and advisories, while indicating pollution problems, may also indicate that the state or
county is making a good effort to protect the public health by monitoring its waters and closing beaches when they are
polluted. States with comprehensive programs and closure practices should be commended for their efforts.
In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a state-based electronic reporting system designed to
collect beach information from all 35 coastal and Great Lakes states and territories that received federal BEACH Act
grants. Although improving, there are still technical problems with the EPA’s electronic data submission system. In some
cases, the EPA’s 2006 closing/advisory or beach detail data were incomplete or inaccurate and were replaced or supple
mented with data requested by NRDC and received directly from the states. In three cases, the EPA closing/advisory data
were completely replaced with data received directly from the state (California, Rhode Island, and Washington). NRDC
updated the EPA’s state beach lists with information solicited from all 30 coastal and Great Lakes states. In addition,
NRDC contacted state and local officials with specific questions regarding their beach programs.
In addition to closing/advisory data, NRDC has compiled and analyzed, for the second consecutive year, each state’s
beach monitoring results. With these data, we are now able to present a comparative analysis of water quality at beaches
across the United States—thanks to provisions of the BEACH Act which require the EPA to collect and publicize
beach monitoring data from all states receiving BEACH Act grants. NRDC obtained 2006 beach season monitor-
ing data through the EPA’s STORET data warehouse (the EPA’s main repository of water quality monitoring data) for
27 states (Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin). EPA data for California, Rhode
Island, and Washington were found to be in error, so NRDC requested and received monitoring data directly from these
states. Data for Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania beaches were not available through STORET; they were obtained
directly from these states. NRDC included the U.S. territories in the national closing/advisory totals for 2006, but did
not provide detailed summaries in Chapter 5.MEthodology
NRDC looked at several criteria to evaluate the efficacy of beach monitoring programs: indicator organisms, stan-
dards, and testing frequency.
Indicator Organisms: The type of indicator organism a monitoring program tests for is important because it reveals
whether disease-causing bacteria may be present in the water. Monitoring programs in all states now test for enterococcus
or E. coli. The EPA recommends, and the federal BEACH Act of 2000 requires, using the enterococcus indicator for
marine waters, and enterococcus or E. coli indicators for the Great Lakes and other freshwaters. These indicators provide
the most reliable estimate currently available of the degree to which disease-causing bacteria and viruses are present in
the water.

Standards: NRDC contacted the state beach coordinator in each of the 30 coastal and Great Lakes states to obtain up-
dated information on which indicator organisms and standards are used.
Testing Frequency: According to the EPA’s federal BEACH Act grant guidance, sampling frequency at bathing beaches
should be related to the intensity of their use. Beaches used most heavily, particularly during summer weekends, should
be tested weekly; beaches used less heavily should be tested biweekly or monthly. Beaches that are most heavily used and
are near potential sources of pollution are designated by the states as “Tier 1” beaches. Beaches less heavily used are given
Tier 2 or 3 status. Coastal and Great Lakes states and territories are beginning to improve monitoring frequency with an-
nual BEACH Act grants.
Several useful pieces of information that were collected in past years are not available for 2006 (in particular, potential
sources of pollution that may affect the beach and preemptive rainfall standards). Still, NRDC was able to piece together
a complete picture of beach closings/advisories for all 30 U.S. coastal and Great Lakes states. The results are given in the
state summaries and tables included in the following pages. Information on beach closings and advisories is organized al-
phabetically by county and beach name. Information on monitoring frequency and percent exceedance are organized by
county and beaches in decreasing order of percent exceedance.
In an effort to be consistent in tabulating closings and advisories, NRDC used the following guidelines:
• Closings or advisories issued for an individual beach for one day are counted as one closing/advisory day.
• Extended closings/advisories are those lasting seven to 13 consecutive weeks.
• Permanent closings/advisories include those lasting longer than 13 consecutive weeks, as well as standing advisories that
warn against swimming whenever certain conditions occur, such as a heavy rainfall or stormdrain flow.
• If a reported advisory at a specific beach overlapped with a general rain advisory that applied to all beaches within
the same jurisdiction, the overlapping days were subtracted from the advisory for that specific beach to avoid double
counting. However, if a specific beach was closed during a general rain advisory, NRDC did not modify the reported
duration. Individual and total beach closing and advisory information is included in each state summary, and state totals
are provided in Table 3 on page 12.
Example: 2006: Beach Closings/Advisories
Beach Start Date End Date Reason Source

East Beach 6/6 6/7 Preempt-rain Combined-sew-over
Long Beach 5/5 5/9 Bacteria (?)
North Beach 5/11 6/30 Preempt-sew Sew-break
Septic, Stormwater,
West Beach 1/1 12/31 Bacteria
Wildlife
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Combined-sew-over, combined sewer overflow; Preempt-rain,
preemptive due to heavy rainfall; Preempt-sew, preemptive due to sewage discharge or spill; Septic, septic systems; Sew-break, sewer line blockage/
break; (?), unknown.

Table 10. Abbreviations Used in Beach Closing/Advisory Tables

Causes Sources
Bacteria: Monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels Boat: Boat discharge
Preempt-other: Preemptive due to reasons not listed here Comb-sew-overflow: Combined sewer overflow
Preempt-rain: Preemptive due to rainfall No info: No information provided by the agency
Preempt-sew: Preemptive due to sewage discharge or spill POTW: Publicly owned treatment works
Preempt-sick: Preemptive due to illness outbreak RivCrk: Rivers, creeks, and lagoons opening onto beaches
Sanitary-sew-over: Sanitary sewer overflow
Septic: Septic systems
Sew-break: Sewer line blockage/break
Sew-discharge: Sewage discharge
Sew-pump: Sewage pump station failure
Stormwater: Stormwater runoff
(?): Unknown

Alabama
According to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), Alabama has classified swimming
beaches along 50 miles of the Gulf of Mexico, 65 to 70 miles of bays including Mobile Bay, Perdido Bay, Mississippi
Sound, and Wolf Bay, and 16 miles at Dauphin Island. ADEM reports a total of 95 such coastal beaches, all in Baldwin
and Mobile Counties.
Through federal BEACH Act grants, ADEM monitors more than a fourth of the coastal beaches in the state.
Monitoring is done weekly to every other week from May to September and monthly the rest of the year.
Alabama does not issue beach closures; their policy is to
issue advisories only.1 All of the advisories issued in 2006 For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent
were at sound, bay, and inlet sites. Bacterial contamination of samples exceeding the standard
in Alabama’s coastal recreational waters originates from increased to six percent in 2006 from
sources such as shoreline development, wastewater collec-
tion and treatment facilities, septic tanks, urban runoff,
five percent in 2005.
disposal of human waste from boats, bathers themselves, commercial and domestic animals, and wildlife.
Alabama received a $262,170 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $262,510 grant in 2007. The
federal grants fully fund the Alabama beach monitoring and notification program. Coastal tourism, valued at about
$8.3 billion in Alabama, provides more than 162,688 jobs, making it an important part of the state’s economy (see
Table ••).
Standards
Indicator Organism: Enterococcus
Standards: Alabama adopted BEACH Act–required standards in 2004: for ocean and bay waters, the Enterococcus single-
sample maximum of 104 cfu/100ml is used to issue beach advisories. Although Alabama calculates a geometric mean,
only the single-sample standard is used to issue beach advisories. There are no standards for preemptive advisories, but
full-scale advisories for all sites have been issued by the Health Departments after hurricanes.1
Monitoring
Frequency: Alabama reported monitoring of 26 beaches in 2006, nine of which were monitored twice a week, 12 of which
were monitored once a week, and five of which were monitored twice a month. Alabama has a quantitative ranking scheme
for prioritizing their beach monitoring efforts. This scheme is based predominantly on the degree of beach use and the level
of risk. Beaches are ranked into four tiers:2 Tier 1 beaches are monitored twice a week, Tier 2 beaches are monitored once a
week, Tier 3 beaches are monitored every other week, and Tier 4 beaches are monitored on an as-needed basis.
Practice: Samples are collected before 1:00 p.m., 6 to 12 inches below the surface of the water, usually in knee-deep
water. Typically, results of samples are known 24 hours after sampling takes place.1 Sampling takes place on Mondays and
Wednesdays unless a holiday interferes, in which case it takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Alabama’s
daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the state standard.
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were the Baldwin County beaches of Fairhope
Public Beach (23%), Boggy Point (20%), and Pirate’s Cove (10%).
Fifty-eight percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Mobile
County had the most beaches with no exceedances (75%) followed by Baldwin (55%). The table below lists the tier
status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches
are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.
AL.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

2006 Monitoring Frequency and Results by Beach

County Beach Tier
Baldwin Spanish Cove 2 1/wk 44 32%
Baldwin Fairhope Public Beach 1 2/wk 56 23%
Baldwin May Day Park 2 1/wk 34 21%
Baldwin Boggy Point 1 2/wk 5 20%
Baldwin Orange Street Pier/Beach 2 1/wk 31 10%
Baldwin Pirate’s Cove 1 2/wk 52 10%
Baldwin Orange Beach Waterfront Park 2 1/wk 32 6%
Baldwin Kee Avenue 2 1/wk 31 3%
Baldwin Volanta Avenue 2 1/wk 31 3%
Baldwin Gulf State Park-Pavilion 1 2/wk 45 2%
Baldwin Fort Morgan Public Beach 3 2/mo 17 0%
Baldwin Mary Ann Nelson Beach 3 2/mo 16 0%
Baldwin Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge 3 2/mo 17 0%
Baldwin Gulf Shores Public Beach 1 2/wk 47 0%
Baldwin Escambia Avenue 3 2/mo 17 0%
Baldwin Little Lagoon Pass Beach 2 1/wk 30 0%
Baldwin Camp Dixie 1 2/wk 47 0%
Baldwin Florida Point 1 2/wk 19 0%
Baldwin Bear Point Civic Association 3 2/mo 17 0%
Baldwin Cotton Bayou 1 2/wk 8 0%
Baldwin Alabama Point (Gulf Of Mexico) 2 1/wk 27 0%
Baldwin Camp Beckwith 1 2/wk 47 0%
Mobile Dog River, Alba Club 2 1/wk 34 15%
Mobile Dauphin Island East End 2 1/wk 30 0%
Mobile Fowl River @ Hw 193 2 1/wk 30 0%
Mobile Dauphin Island Public Beach 2 1/wk 29 0%
Advisories
Alabama issued 16 beach advisories in 2006. Total advisory days increased 63 percent from 27 in 2005 to 44 in 2006.
Advisories at Alabama’s nine Tier 1 beaches were steady at six days in 2004 and 2005, then increased to 18 days in 2006.
During the time period over which this overall increase in advisory days occurred, the overall monitoring frequency at
these beaches was steady.
Advisory Issuance: When sample results exceed the standard, a yellow advisory is issued. Yellow indicates that there
may be an increased risk of illness associated with swimming in such water, and that the beach is being immediately
retested. If a resample, taken the next day, also exceeds the standard, a red public health advisory is issued. Red indicates
that retesting reveals enterococcus levels over the EPA threshold. Factors other than sample exceedance are not taken
into account when issuing advisories. Advisories are posted on the ADEM website as well as being announced on local
radio and television stations and in newspapers. Advisories can be issued for a section of a beach, as opposed to the
entire beach.1

Reopening Procedures: Once an exceedance is reported, samples are collected daily until results are below the EPA
threshold.1
Causes of Advisories: All advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels from
unknown sources of contamination.
2006 Alabama Beach Closings/Advisories

County Beach Name Start Date End Date Reason Source
Baldwin Fairhope Public Beach 7/7 7/11 Bacteria (?)
Baldwin May Day Park 5/2 5/4 Bacteria (?)
Baldwin Orange Street Pier/Beach 5/9 5/11 Bacteria (?)
Baldwin Pirate’s Cove 12/13 12/14 Bacteria (?)
Baldwin Spanish Cove 5/12 5/13 Bacteria (?)
Mobile Dog River, Alba Club 5/13 5/16 Bacteria (?)
Mobile Dog River, Alba Club 10/20 10/24 Bacteria (?)
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; (?), Unknown.
Notes
1 Suzi Farr, Senior Environmental Scientist, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, personal communication, May 11, 2007.
2 Baldwin County Health Department, Risk Based Beach Evaluation and Ranking, not dated.

Alaska
Alaska has nearly 34,000 miles of coastal shoreline. Because of low temperatures, its coastal waters do not attract large
numbers of swimmers. However, recreational shoreline activities do occur, and a survey has identified 204 recreational
beaches in the state.1 Alaska is launching a beach monitoring and notification program during the 2007 season. The
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation admin-
isters the program and will contract with local agencies to Alaska’s full-scale monitoring program
conduct monitoring and notification activities. These local begins in 2007.
agencies are being encouraged to sample for eight weeks
during June, July, and August. In 2006, Alaska conducted a pilot monitoring program in order to test procedures.
When the monitoring and notification program begins, the state will not issue either advisories or closures, but local
governments will issue advisories, if necessary, with guidance and cooperation from the state.
The Alaska beach monitoring program is fully supported by BEACH Act grant monies. Alaska received a $150,000
federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $150,000 grant in 2007. Tourism in Alaska is worth about
$2.4 billion and generates 39,420 related jobs.
Standards
Indicator Organisms: Fecal coliform, enterococcus
Standards: Water quality standards for the monitoring program include Alaska’s fecal coliform standard (in a 30-day
period, the geometric mean of five samples may not exceed 100 cfu/100 ml, and not more than one sample may exceed
200 cfu/100 ml) and EPA’s enterococcus standard (single-sample maximum of 276 cfu/100 ml, 30-day 5-sample geo-
metric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml). The enterococcus standards are the BEACH Act—required standards for moderately and
lightly used beaches, and the fecal coliform standard is adopted in state water quality regulations.2 An exceedance of any
of the four standards will trigger a recommendation that an advisory be issued.
Alaska has no preemptive standards as yet, but is hoping to use data gathered in 2007 to provide advance warning
when the probability of fecal contamination is high.1
Monitoring
Frequency: In 2006, a small amount of sampling was conducted at three beaches as part of a pilot program to test proce-
dures and logistics. Monitoring frequency for beaches in the program will be prioritized based on the types of recreational
activities that occur, the levels of use, and the types of nearby pollution sources.2
Practice: Samples are collected 12 inches below the surface in water that is three feet deep, at high tide if possible.3
Sample results are generally known 24 hours later. In locations where processing samples within six hours is not feasible,
field-based screening methods that provide results for E. coli in 18 hours and Enterococcus in 24 hours will be used.2
Results: There are too few monitoring results to report for 2006. Alaska’s full-scale monitoring program begins in 2007.

County Beach Tier
Bristol Bay (B) King Salmon Beach 1 1/mo 3 33%
Bristol Bay (B) Kanakanak Beach 1 2/mo 6 17%
Juneau (B) Sandy Beach 5 3 2/mo 5 20%
AK.1 Natural Resources Defense Council


County Beach Tier
Juneau (B) Kanakanak Beach 1 2/mo 1 0%
Advisories
No advisories were issued in Alaska in 2006 in the pilot program. The monitoring and notification program begins dur-
ing the 2007 season.
Advisory Issuance: If an exceedance is found, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation will recommend an
advisory be issued without resampling. The public will be notified of advisories via signs, press releases to television and
radio stations, and fliers. Advisories will be issued for whole beaches, not sections of a beach.
Reopening Procedures: If a beach is placed under advisory, monitoring will occur daily until standards are met.1
Notes
1 Erin Strang, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, personal communication, July 2007.
2 Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Beach Water Quality Monitoring and Pathogen Detection 2007 Quality Assurance Program
Plan, prepared by Shannon & Wilson, Inc., April 2007.
3 Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Standard Operating Procedure for Sampling Recreational Beach Marine Waters for Microbial
Pathogen Detection and Sample Handling Prior to Sample Analysis 2007, prepared by Shannon & Wilson, Inc., March 2007.
AK.2 Natural Resources Defense Council

California
California has more than 400 beaches stretching along more than 500 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline in 15 counties.
Some of the most popular beaches in the country are in California. More than 450 million tourists and residents use
them annually to swim, wade, surf, and dive.
Nearly two-thirds of beaches in California are monitored For Tier 1 beaches, the percent of
from April 1 to October 31, and most beaches in Southern
samples exceeding the state standard
California plus Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and San Francisco
County are monitored year-round. Lifeguards generally remained constant at 12 percent
post warnings, known as “advisories,” at beaches when between 2005 and 2006.
water monitoring reveals unhealthy levels of bacteria and
when runoff from rainfall threatens coastal water quality. They generally close beaches contaminated by sewage spills or
other serious health hazards. The state reported a total of 4,644 closing and advisory days statewide in 2006. Most clos-
ings occurred during the wet-weather months between November 1 and March 31.
A New Opportunity to Improve Beachwater Quality

Every five years, the California regional water quality control boards reassess water cleanup plans for major
urbanized areas. This year, as the boards craft new Clean Water Act permits, they have an opportunity to strengthen
and expand protection of beachwater quality from the greatest source of pollution: dirty urban stormwater runoff.
As part of the revamped cleanup plans, the water boards can stop pollution at the source by implementing low-impact
development strategies. For instance, using trees, vegetation, wetlands, and open space in new developments minimizes
impermeable surfaces and, therefore, reduces polluted urban runoff. These strategies reduce beach pollution and do
so cost-effectively.
A New Road Map for Highways

In the past two years, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has agreed to design new highways
and retrofit old ones with catch basins, sand traps, and filters to stop polluted stormwater runoff from contaminating
rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. These measures—the result of a lawsuit filed 10 years earlier by NRDC, Santa Monica
Baykeeper, and its founder, Terry Tamminen—could cut up to 80 percent of the pollution from the state’s
highways.
Funding for Clean Water

California received a $516,960 federal BEACH Act grant from the U.S. EPA in 2006 and is eligible for a $522,920
grant in 2007. These funds support only a small portion of California’s beach monitoring program. In addition to
the BEACH Act grant monies, the state allocated $1 million for monitoring from April 1 to October 31 in 2006.
Beachwater is actually monitored by counties, which spend several times more than what the state and the BEACH
Act grant provide.1
The state of California continues to approve funding for beach monitoring and pollution prevention programs
through its Clean Beaches Initiative passed in 2001. The stated goal of the initiative is to reduce health risks and increase
the public’s access to clean beaches. To be eligible for funding, each project must meet eight criteria, including addressing
“the causes of degradation, rather than the symptoms.” To date, the State Water Resources Control Board has committed
approximately $21 million to the program, including the initial 38 five-year projects. Appropriations include $100,000
for stormdrain diversions at Capitola Beach in Santa Cruz County and $2 million for stormdrain filtration and disinfec-
tion at two drains at the Surfrider/Malibu Lagoon in Los Angeles County. An additional $46 million has been appropri-
ated for new Clean Beaches Initiative grants of up to $5 million each to nonprofit organizations and local and public
agencies. The second round of funding began in early 2005.2
CA.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Standards
Indicator Organisms: Total coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus.
Standards: For total coliform, the single-sample standard is 1,000 cfu/100 ml if the ratio of fecal/total coliform bac-
teria exceeds 0.1. Otherwise, the single-sample standard for total coliform is 10,000 cfu/100 ml. The total coliform
standard for the geometric mean of at least five weekly samples collected during a 30-day period is 1,000 cfu/100 ml.2
For fecal coliform, the single-sample standard is 400 cfu/100 ml and the standard for the geometric mean of at least
five weekly samples collected during a 30-day period is 200 cfu/100 ml. For enterococcus, the single-sample standard is
104 cfu/100 ml and the standard for the geometric mean of at least five weekly samples collected during a 30-day period
is 35 cfu/100 ml. An exceedance of the single-sample or geometric mean standard of any one of these three indicators
triggers an advisory. Some counties measure E. coli and use the result as a surrogate value for fecal coliform. These stan-
dards were set in California Assembly Bill 411 (the Right to Know Bill) in October 1997. The law requires weekly moni-
toring from April to October at all beaches with more than 50,000 annual visitors or at beaches located in areas adjacent
to stormdrains that flow during the summer. In September 2004, California passed Assembly Bill 1876, which extends
these requirements to all beaches along San Francisco Bay. Sampling under the AB411 program started in July of 1999.
In addition to advisories triggered by indicator exceedances, three-day preemptive rain advisories are automatically
issued for all beaches in five counties (Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange, San Diego, and Santa Cruz) when rainfall exceeds
predetermined levels, regardless of whether bacterial monitoring samples have been collected and analyzed. Preemptive
advisories are also issued for reasons other than rain, such as excessive debris on the beach. Finally, preemptive closings
are issued when there is a known sewage spill or when sewage is suspected of impacting a beach.
Monitoring
Frequency: In 2006, 67 percent (276) of California’s public beaches, representing more than 360 miles of coastline, were
monitored between April 1 and October 31. These beaches represent the vast majority of beach day use in California, as
monitoring locations were selected based on the number of visitors, the location of storm drains, NPDES effluent dis-
charge requirements, and legislative requirements. All beaches along the San Francisco Bay are monitored per legislation.
Only two Tier 1 beaches were not monitored: Agate Beach in Humboldt County and Basin H in Los Angeles County.
No Tier 2 or Tier 3 beaches were monitored. Between April 1 and October 31, two beaches were monitored once per
day, eight beaches were monitored five times per week, one beach was monitored four times per week, 13 beaches were
monitored two times per week, 238 beaches were monitored one time per week or four times per month, and 12 beaches
were monitored once per month. During the off-season, from November 1 to March 31, 194 beaches were monitored.
Two of these beaches were monitored once per day, eight were monitored five times per week, five were monitored two
times per week, 162 were monitored once per week or four times per month, five were monitored two times per month,
and 13 were monitored once a month.1
Practice: Samples are taken in ankle-deep water, usually in the morning. Samples are usually collected in the most likely
areas of possible contamination, particularly in Los Angeles County, where many sampling points are located where
creeks or storm drains enter the surf zone, and which are usually permanently posted as being under advisory.
Results: For the third consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded California’s
daily maximum bacterial standards for enterococcus, total coliform, and fecal coliform (some counties are measuring
E. coli and using the results as a surrogate for fecal coliform). For Tier 1 beaches, which are the only ones monitored, the
percent of samples exceeding the standard remained constant at 12 percent between 2005 and 2006.
Six Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were in Los Angeles County (Long Beach—area B-70,
Colorado Lagoon-South, Colorado Lagoon-North, Colorado Lagoon-Center, Avalon Beach north of GP Pier, and
Long Beach—Alamitos Bay Beach at 2nd St. Bridge & Bayshore). Other Tier 1 beaches with the highest amount of
exceedances were: Santa Monica State Beach at Santa Monica Pier and Long Beach (area B‑69) in Los Angeles County,
Marina Lagoon in San Mateo County, and East Beach-Mission Beach in Santa Barbara County.

In 2006, 18 percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken during the year, a
decrease from 20 percent of all monitored beaches in 2005. Mendocino County had the highest percent of monitored
beaches with no exceedances (88%), followed by Sonoma (71%), Monterey (50%), San Diego (32%), Marin (30%),
Ventura (27%), Santa Cruz (24%), San Mateo (15%), Orange (6%), Santa Barbara (5%), and Los Angeles (1%). The
table below lists the Tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches
reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Alameda Crown Beach-Bird Sanctuary 1 1/wk 43 28%
Alameda Crown Beach-Bath House 1 1/wk 43 12%
Alameda Crown Beach-Windsurf Corner 1 1/wk 43 9%
Alameda Crown Beach-Sunset Rd. 1 1/wk 43 7%
Alameda Crown Beach-2001 Shoreline Dr. 1 1/wk 43 5%
Contra Costa Keller Beach-South Beach 1 1/wk 41 7%
Contra Costa Keller Beach-Mid Beach 1 1/wk 41 2%
Contra Costa Keller Beach-North Beach 1 1/wk 41 2%
Humboldt Moonstone Beach 1 1/wk 38 11%
Humboldt Clam Beach Co. Park 1 1/wk 40 10%
Humboldt Luffenholtz Beach 1 1/wk 38 8%
Humboldt Clam Beach Co. Park-North Mad River Mouth 1 1/wk 38 5%
Humboldt Trinidad State Beach-Mill Creek/Trinidad 1 1/wk 38 3%
Los Angeles Long Beach-B-70 1 1/wk 63 59%
Los Angeles Colorado Lagoon-South 1 1/wk 90 54%
Los Angeles Colorado Lagoon-North 1 1/wk 87 54%
Los Angeles Colorado Lagoon-Center 1 1/wk 88 53%
Los Angeles Avalon Beach-North Of Gp Pier 1 1/wk 34 53%
Long Beach-Alamitos Bay Beach-2nd St Bridge &
Los Angeles 1 1/wk 67 51%
Bayshore
Los Angeles Santa Monica State Beach-Santa Monica Pier 1 1/wk 236 48%
Los Angeles Trancas Beach 1 1/wk 236 48%
Los Angeles Long Beach-B-69 1 1/wk 50 48%
Los Angeles Santa Monica State Beach-Santa Monica Canyon 1 1/wk 236 43%
Los Angeles Cabrillo Beach 1 Daily 224 40%
Los Angeles Mothers Beach 1 1/wk 68 40%
Los Angeles Long Beach-72nd Place-Beach 1 1/wk 52 35%
Los Angeles Avalon Beach-Near Busy B Cafe 1 1/wk 32 34%
Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Redondo Pier 1 1/wk 236 33%
Los Angeles Avalon Beach-South Of Gp Pier 1 1/wk 30 33%
Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Paradise Cove 1 1/wk 55 33%
Long Beach-Alamitos Bay Beach-56th Place-On
Bayside


County Beach Tier
Los Angeles Long Beach-5th Place-Beach 1 1/wk 53 28%
Los Angeles Long Beach-Prospect Ave-Beach 1 1/wk 53 28%
Los Angeles Long Beach-E/Side Of Belmont Pier 1 1/wk 51 27%
Los Angeles Long Beach-Molino Ave-Beach 1 1/wk 51 27%
Los Angeles Will Rogers State Beach-Temescal Canyon Sd 1 1/wk 52 27%
Los Angeles Long Beach-W/Side Of Belmont Pier 1 1/wk 51 25%
Los Angeles Long Beach - Alamitos Bay Shore Float 1 1/wk 48 25%
Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Latigo Shore Dr. 1 1/wk 53 25%
Los Angeles Long Beach-3rd Place-Beach 1 1/wk 49 24%
Los Angeles Long Beach-Alamitos Bay Beach-1st & Bayshore 1 1/wk 49 24%
Los Angeles Long Beach-Coronado Ave-Beach 1 1/wk 49 22%
Los Angeles Long Beach-62nd Place-Beach 1 1/wk 46 22%
Los Angeles Manhattan Beach-27th Street Extended 1 1/wk 55 20%
Los Angeles Santa Monica State Beach-Wilshire Blvd. 1 1/wk 51 20%
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Ballona Creek 1 1/wk 236 19%
Los Angeles Cabrillo Beach 1 1/wk 52 19%
Los Angeles Long Beach-Granada Ave-Beach 1 1/wk 47 19%
Los Angeles Avalon Beach-Near Storm Drain 1 1/wk 27 19%
Los Angeles Leo Carillo State Beach 1 5/wk 223 18%
Los Angeles Leo Carillo State Beach 1 1/wk 52 17%
Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Malibu Colony Dr. 1 1/wk 52 17%
Los Angeles Santa Monica State Beach-Montana Ave. 1 1/wk 52 17%
Los Angeles Avalon Beach-Bet. Bbc And Tc 1 1/wk 30 17%
Los Angeles Marina Del Rey Beach 1 1/wk 236 17%
Santa Monica State Beach-Pico Kender Storm
Drain
Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Malibu Pier 1 1/wk 51 16%
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Culver Blvd 1 1/wk 48 13%
Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Topsail Street 1 1/wk 51 12%
Los Angeles Puerco Beach 1 1/wk 50 10%
Dockweiler State Beach-Imperial Hwy. Storm
Drain
Los Angeles Santa Monica State Beach-Strand Street 1 1/wk 48 8%
Los Angeles Will Rogers State Beach-Bel Air Bay Club 1 1/wk 48 8%
Los Angeles Hermosa Beach Pier 1 1/wk 48 6%
Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Avenue I Extended 1 1/wk 48 6%


County Beach Tier
Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Herondo Street 1 1/wk 48 6%
Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Brooks Ave. 1 1/wk 48 6%
Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Windward Storm Drain 1 1/wk 48 6%
Los Angeles Will Rogers State Beach-Pulga Storm Drain 1 1/wk 48 6%
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-World Way 1 1/wk 49 6%
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Hyperion Plant 1 1/wk 50 6%
Los Angeles Santa Monica State Beach-Ashland Storm Drain 1 1/wk 236 5%
Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Venice Pier 1 1/wk 48 4%
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Grand Ave. 1 1/wk 49 4%
Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Topaz Street 1 1/wk 49 4%
Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Westward Beach 1 1/wk 48 2%
Los Angeles Manhattan Beach Pier 1 1/wk 48 2%
Los Angeles Manhattan Beach-40th Street Extended 1 1/wk 48 2%
Los Angeles Palos Verdes Beach-Arroyo Circle 1 1/wk 48 2%
Will Rogers State Beach-17200 Pacific Coast
Hwy
Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Nicholas Beach 1 1/wk 49 2%
Los Angeles Hermosa Beach-26th Street 1 1/wk 48 0%
Marin Millerton Point 1 1/wk 21 14%
Marin Bolinas Beach 1 1/wk 31 13%
Marin China Camp 1 1/wk 31 13%
Marin Drakes Estero 1 1/wk 30 10%
Marin Chicken Ranch Beach At Creek 1 1/wk 31 10%
Marin Fort Baker, Horseshoe Cove - Northeast 1 1/wk 33 9%
Marin Muir Beach - North 1 1/wk 34 9%
Marin Schoonmaker Beach 1 1/wk 31 6%
Marin Fort Baker, Horseshoe Cove - Northwest 1 1/wk 34 6%
Marin Fort Baker, Horseshoe Cove - Southwest 1 1/wk 34 6%
Marin Dillon Beach 1 1/wk 30 3%
Marin Limantour Beach 1 1/wk 30 3%
Marin Shell Beach 1 1/wk 30 3%
Marin Mcnears Beach 1 1/wk 32 3%
Marin Muir Beach - Central 1 1/wk 34 3%
Marin Rodeo Beach - Central 1 1/wk 34 3%
Marin Rodeo Beach - North 1 1/wk 34 3%
Marin Stinson Beach - North 1 1/wk 34 3%
Marin Stinson Beach South 1 1/wk 34 3%
Marin Drake’s Beach 1 1/wk 30 0%
Marin Heart’s Desire 1 1/wk 31 0%
Marin Lawson’s Landing 1 1/wk 31 0%
Marin Miller Point 1 1/wk 31 0%


County Beach Tier
Marin Muir Beach - South 1 1/wk 34 0%
Marin Paradise Cove 1 1/wk 31 0%
Marin Rodeo Beach - South 1 1/wk 34 0%
Marin Stinson Beach - Central 1 1/wk 34 0%
Mendocino Caspar Headlands Sb 1 1/wk 26 4%
Mendocino Big River-Mendocino Bay/Headlands Sp 1 1/wk 27 0%
Mendocino Chadbourne Gulch None 3 0%
Mendocino Hare Creek 1 1/wk 26 0%
Mendocino Mackerricher Beach 1 1/wk 12 0%
Mendocino Mackerricher State Park-Virgin Creek Beach 1 1/wk 27 0%
Mendocino Pudding Creek Beach 1 1/wk 27 0%
Mendocino Van Damme Sp 1 1/wk 27 0%
Monterey Del Monte Beach 1 1/wk 33 18%
Monterey Stillwater Cove 1 1/wk 29 17%
Monterey San Carlos Beach 1 1/wk 28 11%
Monterey Lover’s Point 1 1/wk 29 10%
Monterey Asilomar State Beach 1 1/wk 28 0%
Monterey Carmel Beach @ Ocean Ave 1 1/wk 27 0%
Monterey Monterey Beach Hotel 1 1/wk 28 0%
Monterey Spanish Bay 1 1/wk 27 0%
Orange Doheny State Beach-Surfzone At Outfall 1 2/wk 85 45%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Clubhouse 1 1/wk 62 42%
Orange Newport Bay-Newport Blvd Bridge 1 1/wk 49 39%
Orange Doheny State Beach-250’ S Of San Juan Creek 1 2/wk 54 37%
Orange Doheny State Beach-2000’ South Outfall 1 2/wk 22 36%
Orange Newport Bay-33rd Street 1 1/wk 49 35%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Sunset Aquatic Park 1 1/wk 55 35%
Orange Doheny State Beach-North Of San Juan Creek 1 2/wk 79 33%
Orange Salt Creek County Beach Park 1 2/wk 69 32%
Orange Newport Bay-Ski Zone 1 1/wk 13 31%
Orange Newport Beach-Lancaster/62nd 1 1/wk 50 30%
Orange Newport Bay-Newport Dunes East 1 1/wk 56 29%
Orange Doheny State Beach-North Beach 1 2/wk 51 25%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Anderson Street 1 1/wk 52 25%
Orange Newport Bay-Vaughs Launch 1 1/wk 25 24%
Orange Newport Bay-Northstar Beach 1 1/wk 51 24%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Buoy Line/Baby Beach 1 1/wk 58 22%


County Beach Tier
Orange Newport Bay-Newport Dunes North 1 1/wk 51 22%
Orange Newport Bay-Newport Dunes Middle 1 1/wk 52 21%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Swim Area/Baby Beach 1 1/wk 58 21%
Orange Seal Beach/Surfside-1st Street 1 1/wk 52 19%
Orange Capistrano Beach-5000’ South Outfall 1 2/wk 80 19%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Harbour Channel 1 1/wk 48 19%
Orange Newport Bay-Newport Dunes West 1 1/wk 51 18%
Orange Newport Beach-Grant Street 1 1/wk 47 17%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Coral Cay 1 1/wk 48 17%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Mdp18 1 1/wk 31 16%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Mothers Beach 1 1/wk 50 16%
Orange Huntington State Beach-50’ N Of Santa Ana River 1 5/wk 215 15%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Anaheim Bay 1 1/wk 47 15%
Orange Huntington State Beach-Brookhurst Street 1 5/wk 229 15%
Orange Newport Bay-Rhine Channel 1 1/wk 50 14%
Orange Newport Bay-10th Street 1 1/wk 51 14%
Orange Newport Bay-43rd Street 1 1/wk 51 14%
Orange Monarch Beach - North 1 4/wk 53 13%
Orange Capistrano Bay District-7500’ South Outfall 1 2/wk 77 13%
Orange San Clemente City Beach-20000’ South Outfall 1 2/wk 78 13%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Humboldt Beach 1 1/wk 47 13%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-West End/Baby Beach 1 1/wk 59 12%
Orange Newport Bay-Bayshore Beach 1 1/wk 51 12%
Orange Newport Bay-De Anza 1 1/wk 51 12%
Orange Newport Bay-Grand Canal 1 1/wk 51 12%
Orange Capistrano Bay District-10000’ South Outfall 1 2/wk 79 11%
Orange Aliso County Beach-Aliso Beach 1 2/wk 98 11%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Admiralty Drive 1 1/wk 46 11%
Orange Huntington Harbour-11th Street Beach 1 1/wk 47 11%
Orange Newport Bay-Via Genoa 1 1/wk 50 10%
Orange Seal Beach/Surfside-8th Street 1 1/wk 50 10%
Orange Newport Beach-Orange Street 1 1/wk 228 10%
Orange Newport Bay-Abalone Avenue 1 1/wk 52 10%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Bolsa Chica 1 1/wk 43 9%
Orange Laguna Beach-Laguna Hotel 1 2/wk 99 9%
Orange San Clemente City Beach-450’ North Of Pier 1 2/wk 79 9%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Davenport Beach 1 1/wk 46 9%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Trinidad Lane 1 1/wk 46 9%


County Beach Tier
Orange Huntington State Beach-Magnolia Street 1 5/wk 227 8%
Orange Aliso County Beach-Between S8 & S9 1 2/wk 37 8%
Orange Laguna Beach-Bluebird Canyon 1 2/wk 99 8%
Orange Newport Bay-Alvarado/Bay Island 1 1/wk 50 8%
Orange Newport Bay-Bayside Drive Beach 1 1/wk 50 8%
Orange Newport Bay-Lido Yacht Club 1 1/wk 50 8%
Orange Newport Bay-Ruby Avenue 1 1/wk 51 8%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-East End/Baby Beach 1 1/wk 54 7%
Orange Huntington City Beach-17th Street 1 5/wk 230 7%
Orange Seal Beach/Surfside-100 Yds S Of Pier 1 1/wk 46 7%
Orange San Clemente State Beach-Avenida Calafia 1 2/wk 78 6%
Orange San Clemente State Beach-Las Palmeras 1 2/wk 78 6%
Orange Newport Beach-Little Corona 1 1/wk 47 6%
Orange Aliso County Beach-Treasure Island Stairs 1 2/wk 100 6%
Orange Newport Bay-Onyx Avenue 1 1/wk 50 6%
Orange Newport Beach-52nd/53rd Street 1 1/wk 228 6%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Pilgrim 1 1/wk 53 6%
Orange Huntington State Beach-Sce Plant 1 5/wk 228 5%
Orange Bolsa Chica Reserve 1 5/wk 229 5%
Orange Huntington City Beach-Bluffs 1 5/wk 229 5%
Orange Huntington Harbour-Sea Gate 1 1/wk 46 4%
Orange Seal Beach/Surfside-14th Street 1 1/wk 46 4%
Orange Laguna Beach-Laguna Main Beach 1 2/wk 47 4%
Orange Laguna Beach-Victoria Beach 1 2/wk 98 4%
Orange Newport Bay-Garnet Avenue 1 1/wk 49 4%
Orange Newport Bay-Park Avenue 1 1/wk 49 4%
Orange Newport Bay-Promontory Point 1 1/wk 49 4%
Orange Newport Bay-Sapphire Avenue 1 1/wk 49 4%
Orange South Laguna-Thousand Steps Beach 1 2/wk 98 4%
Orange South Laguna-Three Arch Bay 1 2/wk 98 4%
Orange Aliso County Beach-Aliso Beach - South 1 2/wk 100 4%
Orange Newport Bay-N Street Beach 1 1/wk 50 4%
Orange San Clemente City Beach-Trafalgar Street Beach 1 2/wk 50 4%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Harbor Entrance 1 1/wk 76 4%
Orange Newport Beach-15th/16th Street 1 1/wk 229 4%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Youth Dock 1 1/wk 53 4%
Orange Huntington City Beach-Beach Hut 1 5/wk 230 3%
Orange Laguna Beach-Blue Lagoon 1 2/wk 97 3%
Orange Bolsa Chica Beach 1 5/wk 229 3%
Orange Newport Beach-38th Street (9s) 1 1/wk 228 2%


County Beach Tier
Orange Newport Beach-Corona Del Mar 1 1/wk 229 2%
Orange Huntington City Beach-Jack’s Snack Bar 1 5/wk 230 2%
Orange Seal Beach/Surfside-Sea Way 1 1/wk 46 2%
Orange Sunset Beach 1 1/wk 46 2%
Orange Crystal Cove State Park-El Morro 1 1/wk 47 2%
Orange Crystal Cove State Park-Pelican Point 1 1/wk 48 2%
Orange Aliso County Beach-Camel Point 1 2/wk 97 2%
Orange Aliso County Beach-Table Rock 1 2/wk 98 2%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Guest Dock 1 1/wk 50 2%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Fuel Dock 1 1/wk 51 2%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Harbor Patrol Dock 1 1/wk 51 2%
Orange Dana Point-Ocean Institute Beach 1 2/wk 77 1%
Orange Aliso County Beach-Treasure Island Ramp 1 2/wk 98 1%
Orange South Laguna-Treasure Island Pier 1 2/wk 98 1%
Orange Newport Beach-Balboa Pier 1 1/wk 230 1%
Orange Newport Beach-The Wedge 1 1/wk 229 0%
Orange Crystal Cove State Park-Crystal Cove 1 1/wk 231 0%
Orange Crystal Cove State Park-Muddy Creek Surf 1 1/wk 47 0%
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Pier 1 1/wk 52 0%
Orange Laguna Beach-Crescent Bay 1 2/wk 47 0%
Orange Laguna Beach-Emerald Bay 1 2/wk 47 0%
Orange Laguna Beach-Laguna Lido Apartment 1 2/wk 97 0%
Orange Newport Bay-Rocky Point 1 1/wk 49 0%
Orange Newport Beach-Newport Pier 1 1/wk 214 0%
Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge-Tijuana
San Diego 1 1/wk 65 42%
Rivermouth
San Diego San Diego Bay Chula Vista 1 1/wk 38 29%
San Diego Mission Bay, Visitor’s Center 1 1/wk 65 25%
San Diego Mission Bay, Bahia Point 1 1/wk 46 24%
Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge-3/4 Mi. N
Of Tj River
San Diego Border Field State Park-Border Fence, N Side 1 1/wk 56 23%
San Diego Border Field State Park-Monument Rd. 1 1/wk 57 23%
San Diego Mission Bay, Campland On The Bay 1 1/wk 49 20%
San Diego Mission Bay, North Pacific Passage 1 1/wk 10 20%
San Diego Mission Bay, Leisure Lagoon 1 1/wk 102 19%
San Diego Imperial Beach Municipal Beach-Palm Ave 1 1/wk 11 18%
San Diego Imperial Beach Municipal Beach-Cortez Ave 1 1/wk 17 18%
San Diego Cardiff State Beach 1 1/wk 86 17%
San Diego Tourmaline Surfing Park 1 1/wk 132 16%
San Diego San Diego Bay Shelter Is 1 1/wk 32 16%
San Diego Dog Beach, O.B. 1 1/wk 90 16%


County Beach Tier
Harbor Beach-San Luis Rey River Outlet, South
Jetty
Imperial Beach Municipal Beach-End Of Seacoast
Dr
San Diego Tecolote Shores 1 1/wk 91 13%
San Diego North Imperial Beach-Camp Surf (Carnation Ave) 1 1/wk 54 13%
San Diego Moonlight Beach 1 2/wk 86 13%
San Diego Mission Bay, De Anza Cove 1 1/wk 50 12%
San Diego San Diego Bay-Spanish Landing 1 1/wk 34 12%
San Diego Mission Bay, Crown Point Shores 1 1/wk 72 10%
San Diego La Jolla Shores Beach-El Paseo Grande (Nr) 1 1/wk 21 10%
San Diego Buccaneer Beach 1 1/wk 64 9%
San Diego Imperial Beach Pier 1 1/wk 55 9%
San Diego San Onofre State Beach 1 1/wk 33 9%
San Diego San Diego Bay Coronado Cays 1 1/wk 35 9%
San Diego Ocean Beach-Bermuda Ave 1 1/wk 64 8%
San Diego South Casa Beach S.D. 1 1/wk 26 8%
San Diego North Imperial Beach-Camp Surf Jetty 1 1/wk 28 7%
Whispering Sands/ Nicholson Pt.-Coast Blvd
Gazebo
San Diego Carlsbad City Beach-Buena Vista Lagoon Outlet 1 1/wk 31 6%
San Diego Ocean Beach-Stub Jetty, South Side 1 1/wk 62 6%
Mission Bay, Mariners Basin-Bonita Cove,
Eastern Shore
San Diego San Dieguito River Beach 1 2/wk 85 6%
San Diego Mission Bay, Vacation Isle 1 1/wk 35 6%
San Diego La Jolla Shores Beach 1 1/wk 55 5%
San Diego Silver Strand State Beach 1 1/wk 55 5%
San Diego Powerhouse Park/ 15th Street 1 1/wk 48 4%
San Diego Swami’s Park 1 1/wk 25 4%
San Diego Buccaneer Beach-500’n. Of Loma Alta Outlet 1 1/wk 52 4%
San Diego Oceanside Municipal Beach-Cassidy Street 1 1/wk 52 4%
San Diego Pacific Beach-Crystal Pier 1 1/wk 26 4%
San Diego Carlsbad State Beach-Warm Water Jetty 1 1/wk 28 4%
San Diego Usmc Camp Pendleton-San Onofre Creek Outlet, 1 1/wk 28 4%
San Diego La Jolla Shores Beach-Scripps Pier (S) 1 1/wk 29 3%
San Diego San Diego Bay-Lawrence St 1 1/wk 29 3%
San Diego La Jolla Cove 1 1/wk 30 3%
San Diego Mission Beach 1 1/wk 61 3%
San Diego Oceanside Municipal Beach-Wisconsin Street 1 1/wk 33 3%
San Diego Whispering Sands/ Nicholson Pt.-Ravina 1 1/wk 38 3%
San Diego Coronado, Central Beach 1 2/wk 93 2%


County Beach Tier
San Diego Fletcher Cove 1 1/wk 51 2%
San Diego Oceanside Municipal Beach-Forester Street 1 1/wk 51 2%
San Diego Tide Beach Park 1 1/wk 51 2%
San Diego Windansea Beach-Playa Del Norte 1 1/wk 51 2%
San Diego Cardiff State Beach-Charthouse Parking (Slight S.) 1 1/wk 52 2%
San Diego Cardiff State Beach-Las Olas (Georges) 1 1/wk 52 2%
San Diego Cardiff State Beach-Seaside State Park 1 1/wk 52 2%
San Diego Oceanside Municipal Beach-St. Malo Beach 1 1/wk 52 2%
San Diego Oceanside Pier Area-Pier View Way 1 1/wk 52 2%
San Diego Oceanside Pier Area-Tyson Street 1 1/wk 52 2%
San Diego Ocean Beach-Newport Ave, North Side Of Pier 1 1/wk 60 2%
San Diego Coronado City Beaches 1 2/wk 135 1%
San Diego Torrey Pines State Beach 1 1/wk 77 1%
San Diego Coronado Cays (Nr)-Nasni Beach / North Bch ‘C’ 1 1/wk 88 1%
San Diego San Elijo State Beach 1 1/wk 103 1%
San Diego Bird Rock (Nr) None 3 0%
San Diego Carlsbad City Beach-Carlsbad Village Drive 1 1/wk 25 0%
San Diego Carlsbad State Beach-Cherry Ave (Nr) 1 1/wk 1 0%
San Diego Carlsbad State Beach-Tamarack Av 1 1/wk 45 0%
San Diego Coronado Cays (Nr)-Navy Fence / Ocean Blvd 1 1/wk 88 0%
San Diego Harbor Beach 1 1/wk 50 0%
San Diego La Jolla Shores Beach-Del Oro (Nr) 1 1/wk 17 0%
San Diego La Jolla Shores Beach-Vallecitos (Nr) 1 1/wk 16 0%
San Diego Marine Street Beach None 16 0%
San Diego Mission Bay, Fanuel Park 1 1/wk 30 0%
San Diego Mission Bay, Mariners Basin-Balboa Ct. 1 1/wk 30 0%
San Diego Mission Bay, Sail Bay 1 1/wk 60 0%
San Diego Mission Bay, Santa Barbara Cove 1 1/wk 2 0%
San Diego Mission Bay, Ventura Cove 1 1/wk 30 0%
San Diego Mission Bay-Fiesta Island Bridge 1 1/wk 30 0%
San Diego Ocean Beach-O.B. Pier @ Narrangaset 1 1/wk 60 0%
San Diego Oceanside Pier Area-Surfrider Way 1 1/wk 50 0%
San Diego Pacific Beach-Grand Ave. 1 1/wk 33 0%
San Diego San Diego Bay Glorietta Bay 1 1/wk 27 0%
San Diego San Diego Bay-Naval Training Center (Nr 1 1/wk 3 0%
San Diego San Diego Bay-Silver Strand (Bayside) 1 1/wk 25 0%
San Diego Seascape Beach Park 1 1/wk 25 0%
South Carlsbad State Beach-Batiquitos Lagoon
Outlet
San Diego South Carlsbad State Beach-Cerezo Drive 1 1/wk 51 0%
San Diego South Carlsbad State Beach-Encina Creek Outlet 1 1/wk 53 0%


County Beach Tier
San Diego South Carlsbad State Beach-Palomar Airport 1 1/wk 51 0%
San Diego South Carlsbad State Beach-Poinsettia Lane 1 1/wk 51 0%
San Diego South Carlsbad State Beach-Ponto Drive 1 1/wk 51 0%
San Diego Sunset Cliffs Park 1 1/wk 62 0%
San Diego Usmc Camp Pendleton-Camp Del Mar 1 1/wk 26 0%
Whispering Sands/ Nicholson Pt.-Coast Blvd.-
Nicholson Pt
San Diego Windansea Beach-Bonair (Nr) 1 1/wk 17 0%
San Diego Windansea Beach-Palomar (Nr) 1 1/wk 1 0%
San Francisco Ocean Beach, At Pacheco St. 1 1/wk 8 50%
San Francisco Ocean Beach, At Vicente St. 1 1/wk 8 38%
San Francisco Candlestick Point-Windsurfer Circle 1 1/wk 78 33%
San Francisco Crissy Field, New Beach 1 1/wk 77 32%
San Francisco Candlestick Point-Sunnydale Cove 1 1/wk 68 25%
San Francisco Fort Funston 1 1/wk 9 22%
San Francisco Candlestick Point-Jack Rabbit Beach 1 1/wk 64 20%
San Francisco Baker Beach, Lobos Creek At Lower Parking Lot 1 1/wk 68 16%
San Francisco Aquatic Park-Aquatic Park, Mid-Beach 1 1/wk 61 13%
San Francisco Crissy Field 1 1/wk 61 13%
San Francisco Ocean Beach, At Lincoln Ave. 1 1/wk 62 13%
Baker Beach, Opposite Seacliff 2 Pumping
San Francisco 1 1/wk 63 11%
Station
San Francisco Ocean Beach, At Sloat Blvd. 1 1/wk 61 10%
San Francisco Ocean Beach, At Balboa St. 1 1/wk 57 7%
San Francisco Aquatic Park-Hyde Street Pier 1 1/wk 47 6%
San Francisco Baker Beach, Upper Parking Lot 1 1/wk 68 6%
San Francisco China Beach 1 1/wk 51 2%
San Luis Obispo Pismo State Beach 1 1/wk 177 14%
San Luis Obispo Cayucos Beach 1 1/wk 175 13%
San Luis Obispo Sewers 1 1/wk 25 12%
San Luis Obispo Olde Port Beach 1 1/wk 110 9%
San Luis Obispo Avila Beach 1 1/wk 111 9%
San Luis Obispo Hearst Memorial State Beach 1 1/wk 71 8%
San Luis Obispo Morro Bay City Beach 1 1/wk 167 7%
San Luis Obispo Pismo State Beach, Oceano 1 1/wk 162 6%
San Luis Obispo Montana De Oro 1 1/wk 55 5%
San Luis Obispo San Simeon Beach 1 1/wk 107 5%
San Luis Obispo Morro Strand State Beach 1 1/wk 54 4%
San Mateo Venice State Beach 1 1/wk 35 57%
San Mateo Marina Lagoon 1 1/wk 40 53%
San Mateo Aquatic Park 1 1/wk 49 41%
San Mateo Pillar Point 1 1/wk 89 24%


County Beach Tier
San Mateo Surfers Beach 1 1/wk 48 17%
San Mateo Coyote Point County Park 1 1/wk 45 11%
San Mateo Oyster Point Marina 1 1/wk 64 11%
San Mateo Pacifica State Beach 1 1/wk 89 9%
San Mateo Dunes State Beach 1 1/wk 35 9%
San Mateo Gazos Creek Access 1 1/wk 34 6%
San Mateo Pomponio State Beach 1 1/wk 35 6%
San Mateo Pescadero State Beach 1 1/wk 36 6%
San Mateo Fitzgerald Marine (Moss Beach) 1 1/wk 43 5%
San Mateo Francis State Beach 1 1/wk 44 5%
San Mateo Rockaway Beach 1 1/wk 45 4%
San Mateo Roosevelt State Beach 1 1/wk 45 4%
San Mateo San Gregorio State Beach 1 1/wk 35 3%
San Mateo Bean Hollow State Beach 1 1/wk 36 0%
San Mateo Montara State Beach 1 1/wk 43 0%
San Mateo Sharp Park 1 1/wk 90 0%
Santa Barbara East Beach- Mission Creek 1 1/wk 67 48%
Santa Barbara Arroyo Burro 1 1/wk 71 39%
Santa Barbara Carpinteria State 1 1/wk 60 20%
Santa Barbara Haskell’s 1 1/wk 60 17%
Santa Barbara Refugio State Beach 1 1/wk 61 16%
Santa Barbara Gaviota Beach 1 1/wk 52 15%
Santa Barbara Jalama Beach 1 1/wk 52 15%
Santa Barbara Hope Ranch 1 1/wk 56 14%
Santa Barbara Leadbetter 1 1/wk 57 14%
Santa Barbara Butterfly Beach 1 1/wk 57 12%
Santa Barbara East Beach Sycamore Creek 1 1/wk 58 12%
Santa Barbara Goleta Beach 1 1/wk 56 11%
Santa Barbara Carpinteria City 1 1/wk 56 9%
Santa Barbara El Capitan State Beach 1 1/wk 56 9%
Santa Barbara Hammonds 1 1/wk 56 9%
Santa Barbara Summerland Beach 1 1/wk 35 9%
Santa Barbara Guadalupe Dunes 1 1/wk 51 6%
Santa Barbara Ocean Beach 1 1/wk 49 4%
Santa Barbara Rincon Beach 1 1/wk 54 4%
Santa Barbara Sands Beach At Coal Oil Point 1 1/wk 53 2%
Santa Barbara Arroyo Quemada 1 1/wk 10 0%
Santa Cruz Capitola Beach West Of Jetty 1 1/wk 66 23%
Santa Cruz Hidden Beach 1 1/mo 12 17%
Santa Cruz Capitola Beach East Of Jetty 1 1/wk 59 14%
Santa Cruz Main Beach @ San Lorenzo River 1 1/wk 54 13%


County Beach Tier
Santa Cruz Corcoran Lagoon Beach 1 1/mo 11 9%
Santa Cruz Manresa State Beach 1 1/mo 12 8%
Santa Cruz Moran Lake, County Beach 1 1/mo 12 8%
Santa Cruz Pleasure Point Beach 1 1/mo 12 8%
Santa Cruz Main Beach @ Boardwalk 1 1/wk 51 8%
Santa Cruz Rio Del Mar Beach-Aptos Creek Mouth 1 1/wk 51 8%
Santa Cruz Lighthouse Beach 1 1/mo 13 8%
Santa Cruz New Brighton State Beach 1 1/wk 51 4%
Santa Cruz Pajaro Dunes Beach 1 1/wk 51 4%
Santa Cruz Seabright Beach 1 1/wk 52 4%
Santa Cruz Cowell’s Beach @ The Stairs 1 1/wk 51 2%
Santa Cruz Seacliff Beach 1 1/wk 51 2%
Santa Cruz Twin Lakes Beach 1 1/wk 51 2%
Santa Cruz Natural Bridges State Beach 1 1/wk 52 2%
Santa Cruz Cowell Beach West Of The Wharf 1 1/wk 54 2%
Santa Cruz Mitchell’s Cove Beach 1 1/mo 12 0%
Santa Cruz San Vicente Beach 1 1/mo 11 0%
Santa Cruz Scott Creek Beach 1 1/mo 11 0%
Santa Cruz Sunny Cove Beach 1 1/mo 12 0%
Santa Cruz Sunset Beach 1 1/mo 12 0%
Santa Cruz Waddell Creek Beach 1 1/mo 11 0%
Sonoma Campbell Cove State Beach 1 1/wk 37 43%
Sonoma Doran Park County Regional Park 1 1/wk 37 3%
Sonoma Black Point 1 1/wk 37 0%
Sonoma Goat Rock State Beach 1 1/wk 37 0%
Sonoma Gualala Regional Park Beach 1 1/wk 38 0%
Sonoma Salmon Creek State Beach 1 1/wk 37 0%
Sonoma Still Water Cove Regional Park 1 1/wk 37 0%
Ventura Rincon Beach - Creek Mouth 1 1/wk 35 20%
Ventura Surfer’s Knoll Beach 1 1/wk 54 19%
Ventura Kiddie Beach 1 1/wk 103 17%
Ventura Peninsula Bch/Harbor Cove 1 1/wk 53 17%
Ventura Hobie Beach 1 1/wk 32 16%
Ventura Rincon Beach - Footpath 1 1/wk 33 9%
Ventura Rincon Beach - Flagpole 1 1/wk 52 8%
Ventura Ormond Bch-Indust. Drain 1 1/wk 28 7%
Ventura Solimar Beach 1 1/wk 28 7%
Ventura Point Mugu Beach 1 1/wk 30 7%
Ventura Promenade Pk-Oak St. 1 1/wk 30 7%
Ventura Solimar Bch 1 1/wk 30 7%
Ventura Port Hueneme Beach Pk. 1 1/wk 31 6%


County Beach Tier
Ventura Promenade Pk-Calif. St. 1 1/wk 31 6%
Ventura Promenade Pk-Redwood Apts 1 1/wk 31 6%
San Buenaventura State Beach-S.B. St. Bch-
Ventura 1 1/wk 31 6%
Kalorama St.
Ventura Oxnard Bch-Outrigger Way 1 1/wk 32 6%
Ventura Rincon Parkway North 1 1/wk 32 6%
San Buenaventura State Beach-S.B. St. Bch-San
Jon Rd.
Ventura South Jetty Beach 1 1/wk 32 6%
Ventura Promenade Pk-Figueroa St. 1 1/wk 51 6%
Ventura Emma Wood State Beach 1 1/wk 51 4%
Ventura Surfer’s Point At Seaside 1 1/wk 51 4%
Ventura Ormond Beach-Arnold Rd. 1 1/wk 27 4%
Ventura Mcgrath State Beach 1 1/wk 82 4%
Ventura Deer Creek Beach 1 1/wk 28 4%
Ventura Hollywood Bch-Los Robles 1 1/wk 30 3%
Ventura Silverstrand Bch-Sawtelle 1 1/wk 30 3%
Ventura Staircase Beach 1 1/wk 30 3%
Ventura Sycamore Cove Beach 1 1/wk 30 3%
Ventura Marina Park Beach 1 1/wk 31 3%
Ventura Ormond Beach- J St. 1 1/wk 31 3%
Dover Lane
Weymouth Ln.
Ventura County Line Beach 1 1/wk 50 2%
Ventura Hollywood Bch-La Crescen. 1 1/wk 50 2%
Ventura Silverstrand Bch-San Nic. 1 1/wk 50 2%
Ventura Faria County Park 1 1/wk 30 0%
Ventura Hobson County Park 1 1/wk 30 0%
Ventura La Conchita Beach 1 1/wk 27 0%
Ventura Mandos Cove Beach 1 1/wk 50 0%
Ventura Mussel Shoals Beach 1 1/wk 29 0%
Ventura Oil Piers Beach 1 1/wk 28 0%
Ventura Oxnard Bch Pk-Falkirk Ave 1 1/wk 30 0%
Ventura Oxnard Bch Pk-Starfish Dr 1 1/wk 30 0%
Ventura Oxnard Bch-5th St. 1 1/wk 30 0%
Ventura Oxnard Bch-Amalfi Way 1 1/wk 30 0%
Ventura Oxnard Bch-Channel Way 1 1/wk 29 0%
Ventura Seaside Wilderness Park 1 1/wk 28 0%
Ventura Silverstrand Bch-S. Paula 1 1/wk 30 0%
Ventura Thornhill Broome Beach 1 1/wk 30 0%

Closings and Advisories

Beach closing and advisory days lasting fewer than six weeks decreased 16 percent to 4,644 in 2006 from 5,497 in 2005;
however, they were greater than 2004 levels (3,797 days). Rainfall levels were relatively low during 2006, which prob-
ably contributed to the decrease. The largest decreases were in Santa Barbara (–368 days), Marin (–282 days), Ventura
(–266 days), San Luis Obispo (–223 days), and Los Angeles (–141 days). Although the number of closing/advisory days
lasting fewer than 6 weeks decreased in Los Angeles County, the number of extended closings/advisories (beach events
lasting more than 6 consecutive weeks) increased from one in 2005 to seven in 2006. Extended closing/advisory days are
not included in the county totals. Closing/advisory days increased in two Southern California counties. San Diego re-
ported a 32 percent increase (due in large part to known sewage spills) and Orange County reported a 5 percent increase.
Closing/Advisory Issuance: Closings/advisories are issued without resampling when a single-sample or geometric mean
standard for any of three indicators is exceeded. Local health officials may decide to close instead of post an advisory
when exceedances occur for multiple indicators or when they are at a level that is far in excess of the standard. However,
this is rare, and closures are generally issued when it is suspected that sewage is affecting a beach. The public is notified
of advisories and closures by conspicuous warning signs, telephone hotlines, the Internet, and newspaper press releases.
During closures, lifeguards may direct people to get out of the water.
Beaches in California are relatively long. Long Beach, for example, is seven miles long. Therefore, health officials often
issue advisories and closings for one or more sections of a large beach rather than the whole beach when high bacteria
levels are detected at a monitoring site. For example, at beaches with multiple sampling stations, a section of beach that
extends 100 yards on either side of a sampling station may have an advisory if it is the only station at the beach with an
exceedance. Closure distances are based on the size of the sewage spill and the distance of the spill from impacted waters
as well as tides and currents.1
Causes of Closings/Advisories: Ninety-two percent (4,257) of closing/advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that
revealed elevated bacteria levels. Of these, 97 percent (4,149) were from unknown sources of contamination, 2 percent
(74) were from miscellaneous sources (pets, coastal outlets, boat discharges, etc.), and the remaining 1 percent were from
sewage overflows (20) and stormwater runoff (14). Eight percent (360) were closing days in response to known sewage
spills, and less than 1 percent (27) were preemptive rain advisory days.
Los Angeles County: In 2006, Los Angeles County had 2,072 closing and advisory days, the first decrease in six years, but
still the highest number except for 2005, and still the highest number statewide for the fourth consecutive year. As com-
pared with the 2005 total of 2,213, closing/advisory days decreased 6 percent.
The monitoring data revealed that 95 percent (1,976) of advisory days in 2006 were due to elevated bacteria levels from
unknown sources of contamination. Three percent (69) were closings in response to known sewage spills. In 2006, Los
Angeles County and the City of Long Beach together reported monitoring a total of 49 beaches, all of them once a week.
Los Angeles County advises swimmers that “to stay safe when swimming in the ocean…ocean water should be
avoided for 72 hours after a rainstorm.”3 These general advisories affect all beaches in the county. As a general rule,
the Recreational Health Program issues a rain advisory when there is 0.1 inch or more of rainfall at the University of
Southern California rain gauge, but it varies depending on factors such as how long it has been since the last rainfall,
how sporadic the rainfall is, and where it is falling, since, according to the agency, much of the watershed that feeds storm
drain flow is in the hills and mountains, which have different rainfall levels than at the rain gauge. The county did not
provide 2006 rain advisory information by press time, but based on National Weather Service rainfall data at the USC
rain gauge, there should have been as many as 63 rain advisory days for 2006.
Polluted urban stormwater runoff continues to be the largest source of pollution in Santa Monica Bay and across
California, according to the State Water Board.4 It is a predominant cause of beach closures in each region of the state.
Strong pollution prevention programs are instrumental in reducing and cleaning up stormwater pollution.
Orange County: Orange County reported monitoring a total of 26 beaches between one and five times a week during
the summer swim season. Total closing and advisory days increased 5 percent in 2006 to 975 from 929 in 2005. This

was the first increase for Orange County in at least four years. Ninety-one percent (885) of closing and advisory days in
2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels from unknown sources. Six percent (63) were pre-
emptive closings due to known sewage contamination. Orange County issued county-wide rain advisories, warning of
elevated bacteria levels in the ocean for a period of at least 72 hours after rain events of 0.2 inches or more. The county
reported 75 rain advisory days for 2006.
San Diego County: The total number of closing/advisory days in San Diego County increased 32 percent in 2006 to 714
from 542 in 2005. Approximately 25% of the increase in closing/advisory days in 2006 were related to changes in post-
ing policy; in 2005, the county issued six extended or permanent advisories (each lasting at least 43 consecutive days)
as compared to two in 2006; extended and permanent advisories are not included in NRDC’s total closing/advisory
days. Seventy-one percent (509) of advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels.
Of these, 97 percent (492) were from unknown sources of contamination, and 3 percent (17) were from pets. Twenty-
nine percent (205) were preemptive closings in response to known sewage spills. San Diego also issues preemptive rain
advisories for a period of up to 72 hours after a rain event of 0.2 inches or more. In 2006, San Diego County reported
issuing 43 rain advisory days.
Santa Barbara County: The total number of closing/advisory days in Santa Barbara County decreased 56 percent in 2006
to 285 from 653 in 2005. The number had doubled the year before from 330 in 2004. All advisory days in 2006 were
due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels from unknown sources.
Ventura County: The total number of closing/advisory days in Ventura County decreased for the fourth year in a row
(61 percent) in 2006 to 168 from 434 in 2005. All advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated
bacteria levels. Of these, 92 percent (154) were from unknown sources, and 8 percent (14) were due to stormwater
runoff.
A Note About the Closings/Advisories Tables:

For this year’s report, California provided information describing the specific section of beach affected by most closing or
advisory events. The table below includes that information.
In some cases, for the five counties that issue preemptive rain advisories, routine monitoring samples are taken during
preemptive rain-advisory periods. If bacterial levels exceed the standard, a second advisory is issued that may begin before
the general rain advisory is lifted. For 2006, advisories were issued for bacteria levels for many individual beaches on the
same days as the county-wide rain advisories. To avoid any double-counting of overlapping days, NRDC did not include
any of the county-wide rain advisory days in the closing/advisory tables.
2006 California Beach Closings/Advisories

Alameda Crown Beach-2001 Shoreline Dr. 9/18 9/21 Bacteria (?)
Alameda Crown Beach-2001 Shoreline Dr. 10/17 10/19 Bacteria (?)
Alameda Crown Beach-2001 Shoreline Dr. 6/6 6/8 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Alameda Crown Beach-Bath House 11/17 11/27 Bacteria (?)
Alameda Crown Beach-Bath House 9/25 10/5 Bacteria Boat
Alameda Crown Beach-Bird Sanctuary 9/12 9/16 Bacteria (?)


Alameda Crown Beach-Bird Sanctuary 8/2 8/3 Bacteria Other-Coastal outlet
Alameda Crown Beach-Bird Sanctuary 6/6 6/8 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Alameda Crown Beach-Sunset Rd. 11/2 11/3 Bacteria Other-Coastal outlet
Alameda Crown Beach-Sunset Rd. 6/6 6/8 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Alameda Crown Beach-Windsurf Corner 11/17 11/27 Bacteria (?)
Alameda Crown Beach-Windsurf Corner 6/6 6/8 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Humboldt Clam Beach Co. Park 10/19 10/20 Bacteria (?)
Humboldt Clam Beach Co. Park 5/12 5/13 Bacteria Other-Coastal outlet
Humboldt Clam Beach Co. Park 11/8 11/10 Bacteria Other-Coastal outlet
Humboldt Luffenholtz Beach 2/23 2/24 Bacteria Other-Coastal outlet
Humboldt Moonstone Beach 11/9 11/10 Bacteria (?)
Humboldt Moonstone Beach 5/25 5/26 Bacteria Other-Coastal outlet
Humboldt North Mad River Mouth 11/29 12/1 Bacteria (?)
Humboldt North Mad River Mouth 3/8 3/9 Bacteria Other-River outlet
Trinidad State Beach-Mill Creek/
Humboldt 11/9 11/10 Bacteria Other-Coastal outlet
Trinidad
Los Angeles Alamitos Bay Beach 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Alamitos Bay Beach-1st & Bayshore 7/18 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Alamitos Bay Beach-2nd St Bridge &
Los Angeles 1/30 2/7 Bacteria (?)
Bayshore
Bayshore
Bayshore
Bayshore
Bayshore
Bayshore
Bayshore
Los Angeles Alamitos Bay Beach-56th Place 1/31 2/1 Bacteria (?)


Los Angeles Avalon Beach-Bet. Bbc And Tc 4/25 5/9 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Avalon Beach-Near Busy B Cafe 4/11 4/13 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Avalon Beach-Near Storm Drain 5/9 5/11 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Avalon Beach-North Of Gp Pier 4/11 4/20 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Avalon Beach-South Of Gp Pier 5/9 5/18 Bacteria (?)


Los Angeles Big Rock Beach 1/31 2/6 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Cabrillo Beach 1/11 1/15 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Colorado Lagoon-Center 12/26 12/29 Bacteria (?)


Los Angeles Colorado Lagoon-Center 9/21 11/28 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Los Angeles Colorado Lagoon-North 2/7 2/8 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Colorado Lagoon-North 9/21 11/28 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Los Angeles Colorado Lagoon-South 1/10 1/12 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Colorado Lagoon-South 9/20 11/18 Prempt-sew (?)
Los Angeles Colorado Lagoon-South 1/10 1/12 Bacteria Other-Coastal outlet
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Ballona Creek 2/16 2/21 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Ballona Creek 8/8 8/10 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Culver Blvd 1/18 10/25 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Grand Ave. 5/23 5/25 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Grand Ave. 10/17 11/27 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Hyperion Plant 8/15 8/17 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Hyperion Plant 10/17 11/27 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-Hyperion Plant 11/27 12/1 Prempt-sew Other


Dockweiler State Beach-Imperial Hwy.
Storm Drain
Storm Drain
Storm Drain
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-World Way 5/23 5/25 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Dockweiler State Beach-World Way 10/17 10/19 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Hermosa Beach Pier 5/24 5/31 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Hermosa Beach Pier 10/18 10/25 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Hermosa Beach-26th Street 1/18 1/19 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Leo Carrillo State Beach 5/16 5/23 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Long Beach 3/2 3/22 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Los Angeles Long Beach-10th Place-Beach 1/10 1/12 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Long Beach-62nd Place-Beach 10/3 10/4 Bacteria (?)


Los Angeles Long Beach-B-69 3/14 3/20 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Long Beach-B-70 9/26 10/26 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Los Angeles Long Beach-Coronado Ave-Beach 7/25 8/2 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Long Beach-E/Side Of Belmont Pier 1/10 1/12 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Long Beach-Granada Ave-Beach 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Long Beach-Granada Ave-Beach 10/10 10/12 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Long Beach-Molino Ave-Beach 1/10 1/12 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Long Beach-Prospect Ave-Beach 7/11 7/14 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Long Beach-W/Side Of Belmont Pier 1/10 1/12 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Latigo Shore Dr. 2/7 2/16 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Malibu Colony Dr. 1/31 2/2 Bacteria (?)


Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Malibu Pier 1/18 1/23 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Nicholas Beach 1/18 1/23 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Paradise Cove 1/10 1/12 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Malibu Beach-Westward Beach 9/12 9/14 Bacteria (?)
Manhattan Beach-27th Street
Extended
Extended
Extended
Extended
Extended
Extended
Extended
Extended
Extended
Los Angeles 1/15 1/18 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Extended
Los Angeles 1/18 1/20 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Extended


Los Angeles Marina Del Rey Beach 1/19 1/23 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Mothers Beach 2/14 2/16 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Mothers Beach 10/3 10/26 Prempt-sew (?)
Los Angeles Outer Cabrillo Beach 6/21 6/27 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Puerco Beach 4/4 4/20 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Avenue I Extended 1/12 1/18 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Herondo Street 5/23 5/25 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Herondo Street 9/6 9/8 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Redondo Pier 2/9 2/21 Bacteria (?)


Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Topaz Street 1/31 2/2 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Redondo Beach-Topaz Street 12/5 12/7 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Royal Palms Beach-White Point 10/4 10/5 Bacteria (?)
Santa Monica State Beach-Ashland
Storm Drain
Storm Drain
Storm Drain
Storm Drain
Storm Drain
Santa Monica State Beach-Montana
Ave.
Ave.
Ave.
Ave.
Ave.
Ave.
Ave.
Ave.
Santa Monica State Beach-Pico
Kender Storm Drain


Kender Storm Drain
Kender Storm Drain
Kender Storm Drain
Kender Storm Drain
Kender Storm Drain
Kender Storm Drain
Santa Monica State Beach-Santa
Monica Canyon
Monica Canyon
Monica Canyon
Monica Canyon
Monica Canyon
Monica Canyon
Monica Canyon
Monica Canyon
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier


Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Monica Pier
Santa Monica State Beach-Strand
Street
Street
Street
Santa Monica State Beach-Wilshire
Blvd.


Blvd.
Blvd.
Blvd.
Blvd.
Blvd.
Los Angeles Surfrider Beach 1/9 1/15 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Surfrider Beach 12/1 12/4 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Los Angeles Topanga State Beach 1/9 1/15 Bacteria (?)


Los Angeles Trancas Beach-Trancas Beach 4/4 4/11 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Brooks Ave. 5/23 5/25 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Brooks Ave. 11/21 11/27 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Topsail Street 4/11 4/18 Bacteria (?)
Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Topsail Street 8/8 8/10 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Los Angeles Venice City Beach-Venice Pier 5/23 5/30 Bacteria (?)
Venice City Beach-Windward Storm
Drain
Drain
Drain
Will Rogers State Beach-Bel Air Bay
Club
Will Rogers State Beach-Bel Air Bay
Club
Will Rogers State Beach-Pulga Storm
Drain
Will Rogers State Beach-Temescal
Canyon Sd
Canyon Sd
Canyon Sd
Canyon Sd
Canyon Sd
Marin Bolinas Beach 4/11 4/18 Bacteria (?)


Marin Chicken Ranch Beach At Creek 6/19 6/27 Bacteria (?)
Marin China Camp 7/19 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Marin Fort Baker, Horseshoe Cove 4/4 4/11 Bacteria (?)
Marin Fort Baker, Horseshoe Cove 5/31 6/6 Bacteria (?)
Marin Mcnears Beach 8/24 8/31 Bacteria Other-Coastal outlet
Marin Millerton Point 4/4 4/11 Bacteria (?)
Marin Muir Beach-Muir Beach - Central 7/11 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Marin Muir Beach-Muir Beach - North 5/9 5/16 Bacteria (?)
Marin Rodeo Beach (Chronkite)-Central 7/12 7/21 Bacteria (?)
Marin Rodeo Beach (Chronkite)-North 4/4 4/11 Bacteria (?)
Marin Schoonmaker Beach 5/11 5/17 Bacteria (?)
Monterey Lovers Point 5/24 6/1 Bacteria (?)
Monterey Lovers Point 8/29 9/5 Bacteria (?)
Monterey Municipal Beach (Del Monte
Monterey 7/10 7/17 Bacteria (?)
Beach)
Beach)
Beach)
Monterey San Carlos Beach 5/15 5/23 Bacteria (?)
Monterey San Carlos Beach 5/24 5/31 Bacteria (?)
Monterey Stillwater Cove 6/26 7/3 Bacteria (?)
Orange Aliso County Beach 1/25 1/26 Bacteria (?)
Orange Aliso County Beach 9/6 9/10 Prempt-sew Other
Orange Aliso County Beach-South 2/15 2/16 Bacteria (?)
Orange Aliso County Beach-Table Rock 7/26 7/28 Bacteria (?)
Aliso County Beach-Treasure Island
Orange 5/17 5/19 Bacteria (?)
Stairs
Stairs
Stairs
Orange Bolsa Chica Beach 8/24 8/25 Bacteria (?)
Orange Bolsa Chica Reserve 6/2 6/4 Bacteria (?)


Capistrano Bay District-10000’ South
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Orange Capistrano Beach-5000’ South Outfall 1/1 4/11 Bacteria (?)
Orange Crystal Cove State Park-Crystal Cove 1/13 1/15 Bacteria (?)
Orange Crystal Cove State Park-EL MORRO 6/29 7/1 Bacteria (?)
Orange Crystal Cove State Park-Pelican Point 2/16 2/23 Bacteria (?)
Dana Point Harbor-Buoy Line/Baby
Beach
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Harbor Patrol Dock 1/1 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Harbor Patrol Dock 8/8 8/10 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Orange Dana Point Harbor-MDP18 7/26 9/7 Bacteria (?)
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Pilgrim 10/19 10/21 Bacteria (?)
Dana Point Harbor-Swim Area/Baby
Beach
Dana Point Harbor-Swm Area/Baby
Beach
Beach
Beach
Beach
Beach
Dana Point Harbor-West End/Baby
Beach


Beach
Beach
Beach
Beach
Beach
Beach
Beach
Orange Dana Point Harbor-Youth Dock 1/11 1/13 Bacteria (?)
Orange Dana Point-Ocean Institute Beach 8/10 8/12 Bacteria (?)
Doheny State Beach-1000’ South
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Doheny State Beach-North of San
Juan Creek
Doheny State Beach-North of San
Juan Creek


Doheny State Beach-Surfzone at
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Outfall
Orange 2/28 3/3 Prempt-sew Other-Debris
Outfall
Orange 5/14 5/17 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Outfall
Orange 3/3 3/7 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Outfall
Orange Huntington City Beach-17th Street 1/10 1/11 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington City Beach-Beach Hut 7/25 7/26 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington City Beach-Beach Hut 4/29 5/1 Prempt-sew Other
Orange Huntington City Beach-Bluffs 2/26 3/2 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington Harbour-11th Street Beach 1/1 1/6 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington Harbour-11th Street Beach 4/11 4/13 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington Harbour-Anaheim Bay 7/6 7/8 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington Harbour-Anderson Street 2/2 2/24 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington Harbour-Anderson Street 7/27 7/30 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington Harbour-Clubhouse 1/12 1/18 Bacteria (?)


Orange Huntington Harbour-Coral Cay 1/20 1/26 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington Harbour-Harbour Channel 9/14 9/16 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington Harbour-Harbour Channel 9/28 10/13 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington Harbour-Humboldt Beach 8/3 8/5 Bacteria (?)
Orange Huntington Harbour-Humboldt Beach 3/11 3/14 Prempt-sew Sew-pump
Orange Huntington Harbour-Mothers Beach 1/1 1/6 Bacteria (?)
Huntington Harbour-Sunset Aquatic
Park
Park
Park
Park
Orange 11/6 11/8 Prempt-sew Other-Grease
Park
Huntington State Beach-50’ N of Santa
Ana River
Ana River
Ana River
Ana River
Ana River
Ana River
Ana River
Ana River
Ana River
Ana River
Huntington State Beach-Brookhurst
Street
Street


Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Huntington State Beach-Magnolia
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street


Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Orange Huntington State Beach-SCE Plant 4/12 4/13 Bacteria (?)
Orange Laguna Beach-Blue Lagoon 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Orange Laguna Beach-Blue Lagoon 11/28 11/29 Bacteria (?)
Orange Laguna Beach-Bluebird Canyon 7/7 7/9 Bacteria (?)
Orange Laguna Beach-Bluebird Canyon 11/21 11/22 Bacteria (?)
Orange Laguna Beach-Bluebird Canyon 11/15 11/17 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Orange Laguna Beach-Laguna Hotel 10/18 10/20 Bacteria (?)
Orange Laguna Beach-Victoria Beach 1/31 2/1 Bacteria (?)
Orange Laguna Beach-Victoria Beach 7/7 7/9 Bacteria (?)
Orange Monarch Beach 7/28 7/31 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-10th Street 1/18 1/20 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-33rd Street 1/1 12/31 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-33rd Street 12/23 12/26 Prempt-sew Other-Grease
Orange Newport Bay-Abalone Avenue 4/12 4/18 Bacteria (?)


Orange Newport Bay-Alvarado/Bay Island 1/24 1/26 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Bayshore Beach 7/25 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Bayshore Beach 8/15 8/17 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Bayside Drive Beach 7/11 7/13 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Bayside Drive Beach 10/16 10/18 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Orange Newport Bay-De Anza 1/31 2/2 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-De Anza 7/25 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Grand Canal 5/18 5/20 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Lido Yacht Club 7/25 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-N Street Beach 8/22 8/24 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Newport Blvd. Bridge 1/1 12/31 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Newport Blvd. Bridge 6/12 6/15 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Orange Newport Bay-Newport Dunes East 5/11 5/13 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Newport Dunes North 7/11 7/13 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Newport Dunes North 7/25 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Northstar Beach 7/25 7/28 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Onyx Avenue 11/21 11/25 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Rhine Channel 7/18 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Ruby Avenue 1/31 2/2 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Ruby Avenue 12/5 12/7 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Bay-Via Genoa 6/27 6/29 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Beach-15th/16th Street 2/1 2/2 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Beach-38th Street (BNB10) 4/12 4/18 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Beach-38th Street (BNB10) 5/18 5/20 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Beach-52nd/53rd Street 7/26 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Beach-Balboa Pier 1/8 1/10 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Beach-Corona Del Mar 9/3 9/6 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Beach-Grant Street 2/9 2/11 Bacteria (?)


Orange Newport Beach-Grant Street 9/28 9/30 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Orange Newport Beach-Lancaster/62nd 2/24 4/18 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Beach-Little Corona 10/12 10/14 Bacteria (?)
Orange Newport Beach-Newport Pier 4/29 5/1 Prempt-sew Other
Orange Newport Beach-Newport Pier 6/26 6/28 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Orange Newport Beach-Orange Street 9/6 9/7 Bacteria (?)
Orange Poche County Beach 6/27 6/29 Bacteria (?)
Orange Poche County Beach 12/23 12/25 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Orange Poche County Beach 4/25 4/28 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Orange Poche County Beach 5/4 5/7 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Orange Salt Creek County Beach Park 8/16 8/18 Bacteria (?)
Salt Creek County Beach Park-Dana
Strands-Selva Ramp


San Clemente City Beach-20000’
South Outfall
South Outfall
South Outfall
Orange 1/18 1/20 Prempt-sew Sew-break
South Outfall
South Outfall
South Outfall
South Outfall
San Clemente City Beach-450’ North
Of Pier
Of Pier
Of Pier
Of Pier
San Clemente State Beach-Avenida
Calafia
San Clemente State Beach-Las
Palmeras
Orange Seal Beach/Surfside-1st Street 4/20 4/22 Bacteria (?)
Orange Seal Beach/Surfside-1st Street 5/26 5/28 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Orange Seal Beach/Surfside-8th Street 2/9 2/11 Bacteria (?)
Orange South Laguna-Thousand Steps Beach 8/30 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Orange South Laguna-Three Arch Bay 5/31 6/1 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Bird Rock (Nr) 2/9 2/12 Prempt-sew (?)
San Diego Border Field State Park 2/9 2/13 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Border Field State Park 7/16 7/17 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Buccaneer Beach 1/6 1/11 Bacteria (?)


San Diego Buccaneer Beach 12/11 12/14 Prempt-sew (?)
San Diego Buccaneer Beach 12/31 12/31 Prempt-sew (?)
San Diego Cardiff State Beach 1/17 1/20 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Cardiff State Beach 8/29 8/31 Bacteria Other-pets
San Diego Carlsbad State Beach 9/29 10/1 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Carlsbad State Beach 10/7 10/9 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Coronado Cays (Nr) 11/17 11/18 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Coronado Cays (Nr) 2/28 3/8 Prempt-sew (?)
San Diego Coronado, Central Beach 6/9 6/11 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Dog Beach, O.B. 5/4 5/7 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Dog Beach, O.B. 4/4 4/7 Prempt-sew (?)
San Diego Dog Beach, O.B. 4/25 4/27 Bacteria Other-pets
Harbor Beach-San Luis Rey River
San Diego 3/16 3/18 Bacteria (?)
Outlet, South Jetty
Outlet, South Jetty
Outlet, South Jetty
Outlet, South Jetty
Outlet, South Jetty
San Diego La Jolla Cove 9/21 9/22 Bacteria (?)
San Diego La Jolla Cove 6/19 6/22 Prempt-sew (?)
San Diego La Jolla Shores Beach 12/30 12/31 Bacteria (?)


San Diego La Jolla Shores Beach-Scripps Pier (S) 5/16 5/18 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Mission Bay 7/25 7/27 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
San Diego Mission Bay, Bahia Point 9/20 11/1 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Mission Bay, Campland On The Bay 1/18 1/20 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Mission Bay, Crown Point Shores 7/19 7/25 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Mission Bay, De Anza Cove 8/23 8/28 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Mission Bay, De Anza Cove 9/27 9/29 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Mission Bay, Leisure Lagoon 6/21 6/23 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Mission Bay, Mariners Basin 7/6 7/8 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Mission Bay, Vacation Isle 9/20 9/25 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Mission Bay, Visitor’s Center 6/7 6/9 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Mission Bay, Visitor’s Center 8/16 8/22 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Mission Bay, Visitor’s Center 7/25 8/16 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Moonlight Beach-Cottonwood Creek
Outlet
Outlet
Outlet
Outlet
Outlet
Outlet
Outlet
Outlet
Outlet
Outlet
Outlet


Outlet
North Imperial Beach-Camp Surf
San Diego 2/28 3/8 Prempt-sew (?)
(Carnation Ave)
(Carnation Ave)
(Carnation Ave)
(Carnation Ave)
(Carnation Ave)
San Diego North Imperial Beach-Camp Surf Jetty 1/3 1/6 Prempt-sew (?)
San Diego Ocean Beach-Bermuda Ave 1/19 1/21 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Ocean Beach-Bermuda Ave 11/25 12/1 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Ocean Beach-Bermuda Ave 11/19 11/21 Bacteria Other-pets
Oceanside Municipal Beach-Wisconsin
Street
Oceanside Municipal Beach-Wisconsin
Street
San Diego Oceanside Pier Area 10/29 11/1 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Oceanside Pier Area 10/26 10/27 Bacteria Other-pets
San Diego Bay Chula Vista-Bayside
Park (J Street)
Park (J Street)
Park (J Street)
Park (J Street)
Park (J Street)
Park (J Street)
San Diego Bay Coronado Cays-
Tidelands Park (Bayside)


San Diego San Diego Bay Shelter Is-Bessemer St 11/4 11/7 Prempt-sew (?)
San Diego Bay Shelter Is-Shelter
Island
San Diego San Diego Bay-Lawrence St 9/29 10/1 Bacteria (?)
San Diego San Diego Bay-Spanish Landing 10/13 10/29 Bacteria (?)
San Diego San Dieguito River Beach 5/17 5/18 Bacteria (?)
San Diego San Dieguito River Beach 3/14 3/16 Prempt-sew (?)
San Diego South Carlsbad State Beach 11/30 12/5 Bacteria (?)
San Diego South Casa Beach S.D. 8/15 8/17 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Tecolote Playground, Watercraft Area 8/23 8/28 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Tecolote Shores, Swim Area 6/29 7/1 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge 8/26 8/27 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge 9/8 9/9 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge 1/3 1/25 Prempt-sew (?)
Torrey Pines State Beach (Los
Penasquitos Lagoon Outlet)
San Diego Tourmaline Surfing Park-P.B. Point 6/2 6/3 Bacteria (?)
San Diego Tourmaline Surfing Park-P.B. Point 7/12 8/25 Bacteria Other-pets


Whispering Sands/ Nicholson Pt.-
Coast Blvd Gazebo
Coast Blvd Gazebo
Coast Blvd Gazebo
San Francisco Aquatic Park, Mid-Beach 1/5 1/8 Bacteria (?)
Baker Beach, Lobos Creek At Lower
San Francisco 3/9 3/10 Bacteria (?)
Parking Lot
Parking Lot
Parking Lot
Parking Lot
Parking Lot
Baker Beach, Opposite Seacliff 2
Pumping Station
San Francisco Candlestick Point-Jack Rabbit Beach 3/2 3/3 Bacteria (?)
San Francisco Candlestick Point-Sunnydale Cove 3/2 3/3 Bacteria (?)
San Francisco Candlestick Point-Sunnydale Cove 12/12 12/15 Bacteria Comb-sew-overflow
San Francisco Candlestick Point-Windsurfer Circle 3/8 3/9 Bacteria (?)
San Francisco Candlestick Point-Windsurfer Circle 12/12 12/17 Bacteria Comb-sew-overflow
San Francisco Crissy Field 3/30 3/31 Bacteria (?)


San Francisco Fort Funston 12/12 12/14 Bacteria Comb-sew-overflow
San Francisco Hyde Street Pier 8/9 8/10 Bacteria (?)
San Francisco Hyde Street Pier 12/13 12/14 Bacteria (?)
Ocean Beach-Ocean Beach, At Lincoln
San Francisco 12/12 12/15 Bacteria Comb-sew-overflow
Ave.
Ocean Beach-Ocean Beach, At
Pacheco St.
Ocean Beach-Ocean Beach, At Sloat
Blvd.
Blvd.
Blvd.
Ocean Beach-Ocean Beach, At
Vicente St.
San Luis Obispo Avila Beach 12/28 12/29 Bacteria (?)
San Luis Obispo Cayucos Beach 3/22 3/23 Bacteria (?)
San Luis Obispo Montana De Oro - Hazard Canyon 10/4 10/5 Bacteria (?)
San Luis Obispo Morro Bay City Beach 9/13 9/14 Bacteria (?)
San Luis Obispo Olde Port Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria (?)
San Luis Obispo Olde Port Beach 11/15 11/16 Bacteria (?)
San Luis Obispo Pismo State Beach 3/28 3/30 Bacteria (?)
San Mateo Dunes State Beach 2/28 3/2 Bacteria (?)
San Mateo Dunes State Beach 3/8 3/16 Bacteria (?)
San Mateo Fitzgerald Marine (Moss Beach) 2/2 2/7 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over


San Mateo Gazos Creek Access 3/2 3/16 Bacteria (?)
San Mateo Pillar Point 2/2 5/18 Bacteria (?)
San Mateo Pillar Point 3/30 4/6 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
San Mateo Surfers Beach 5/16 5/17 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
San Mateo Surfers Beach 1/23 1/25 Prempt-sew Sew-discharge
Santa Barbara Arroyo Burro 2/15 2/17 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Butterfly Beach 4/5 4/12 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Butterfly Beach 12/29 12/31 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Carpinteria City 4/5 4/12 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Carpinteria State 2/23 3/1 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara East Beach- Mission Creek 1/5 1/27 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara East Beach Sycamore Creek 1/5 1/6 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara El Capitan State Beach 10/25 10/27 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Gaviota Beach 3/23 3/30 Bacteria (?)


Santa Barbara Goleta Beach 1/11 1/19 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Guadalupe Dunes 2/16 2/24 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Hammonds 5/24 5/26 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Hammonds 11/8 11/9 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Haskell’s Beach 3/1 3/3 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Hope Ranch Beach 1/5 1/6 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Jalama Beach 3/1 3/15 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Leadbetter 1/5 1/6 Bacteria (?)
Refugio State Beach-Refugio State
Santa Barbara 2/1 2/3 Bacteria (?)
Beach
Beach
Beach
Beach
Santa Barbara Rincon Beach-Rincon At Bates Beach 11/15 11/17 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Rincon Beach-Rincon At Bates Beach 12/6 12/13 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Summerland Beach 6/29 6/30 Bacteria (?)
Santa Barbara Summerland Beach 10/25 10/27 Bacteria (?)
Santa Cruz Capitola City Beach 8/10 8/14 Bacteria Other-Coastal outlet
Santa Cruz Capitola City Beach 8/10 8/17 Bacteria Other-pets
Santa Cruz Capitola City Beach 6/13 6/21 Bacteria Other-River outlet
Santa Cruz Capitola City Beach 5/13 5/14 Bacteria Sanitary-sew-over


Santa Cruz Cowell Beach 6/13 6/21 Bacteria Other-pets
Santa Cruz Cowell Beach 6/13 8/3 Bacteria Other-pets
Sonoma Campbell Cove State Beach 4/5 5/30 Bacteria (?)
Sonoma Doran Regional Park Beach 8/30 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Deer Creek Beach-Deer Creek Beach 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Emma Woods State Beach 6/6 6/7 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Emma Woods State Beach 12/19 12/27 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Hobie Beach 8/8 8/9 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Hobie Beach 9/27 9/28 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Kiddie Beach 5/4 5/9 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Kiddie Beach 4/13 4/18 Bacteria Stormwater
Ventura Oxnard Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Penninsula Beach 2/14 2/22 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Point Mugu Beach 8/23 8/29 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Promenade Pk-Figueroa St. 1/4 1/10 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Promenade Pk-Figueroa St. 12/13 12/19 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Promenade Pk-Oak St. 8/9 8/10 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Rincon Beach - Creek Mouth 7/12 7/13 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Rincon Beach - Flagpole 2/28 3/7 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Rincon Beach - Flagpole 8/16 8/17 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Rincon Beach - Footpath 9/13 9/14 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Rincon Parkway North 10/11 10/12 Bacteria (?)


Ventura San Buenaventura State Beach 5/31 6/1 Bacteria Stormwater
Ventura Solimar Beach 8/30 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Surfers Knoll Beach 6/14 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Ventura Surfers Knoll Beach 4/11 4/19 Bacteria Stormwater
Ventura Sycamore Cove Beach 8/15 8/17 Bacteria (?)
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Comb-sew-overflow, combined sewage overflow; Preempt-rain,
preemptive due to heavy rainfall; Preempt-sew, preemptive due to sewage discharge or spill; Preempt-other, preemptive due to reasons not listed
here; RivCrk, rivers, creeks, and lagoons opening onto beaches; Sew-break, sewer line blockage/break; Sew-discharge, sewage discharge; Sew‑pump,
sewage pump station failure; Sanitary-sew-over, sanitary sewer overflow; (?), unknown
Notes
1 Michael Gjerde, California State Water Resources Control Board, personal communication, June 2007.
2 Regulations for Public Beaches and Ocean Water-Contact Sports Areas, Title 17 of the California Code, Group 10, Article 4, accessed at www.dhs.
ca.gov/ps/ddwem/beaches/AB411_Regulations, June 2007.
3 Christopher Stevens, senior water resources control engineer, State Water Resources Control Board, personal communication, June 29, 2004.
4 Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Recreational Health Program website, FAQs, available at: http://lapublichealth.org/eh/progs/
envirp/rechlth/ehrecocfaq.htm.
5 “Urban runoff is a leading cause of pollution throughout California,” State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Order No.__2003–0005–
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit No. CAS000004 Waste Discharge Requirements for Storm Water Discharges from
Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems, Finding 1.
6 40 CFR Part 131, “Water Quality Standards for Coastal and Great Lakes Recreation Waters: Final Rule,” November 16, 2004.

Connecticut
Connecticut has 67 public beaches stretching along 18 miles of Long Island Sound coastline, all of which were
monitored in 2006. Beach monitoring efforts in Connecticut are coordinated by the Connecticut Department of
Public Health, which administers the state’s BEACH Act grant. The state of Connecticut does not require that beaches
be monitored, but coastal beaches covered by its federal
BEACH Act grant must be regularly tested for indicator For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of
organisms. Shoreline health departments monitor munici- samples exceeding the state standard
pal marine bathing areas, and the Connecticut Department remained constant at 4 percent
of Environmental Protection monitors the state park
beaches. All counties with marine coastline (Fairfield,
between 2005 and 2006.
Middlesex, New Haven, and New London) have monitored beaches, and the Connecticut beach monitoring season
stretches from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The 2006 swim season saw more rainfall than usual, which accounts at least
in part for the increased number of closing and advisory days in 2006.
Connecticut received a $223,370 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $224,010 grant in 2007.
Connecticut provides monitoring guidance to coastal municipal officials and the Connecticut Department of Public
Health offers sample analysis free of charge at its lab in Hartford. Examples of costs not covered by the BEACH Act
grant include 1) shoreline towns and municipalities cover the cost for their marine beach water sample collection and
public notification efforts; 2) some shoreline towns choose to contract with municipal or local environmental laboratories
for marine water sample analysis, and these costs are covered by those shoreline towns; 3) the cost of full-time laboratory
personnel required for sample analysis is covered by the state of Connecticut; 4) beach data collection, management, and
analysis for state park marine beaches are not covered by the US EPA beach grant; 5) revision of the Quality Assurance
Project Plan, which is required by the U.S. EPA for beach grant recipient states and territories, is covered by the state of
Connecticut; and 6) the costs of oversight, audit, and management of beach grant expenses are covered by the state of
Connecticut.1 Tourism contributes $6.9 billion to the state’s economy, generating 60,700 jobs (see Table ••). Tourism
in Connecticut contributes about $9.1 billion to the state’s economy and generates 110,775 related jobs.
Standards
Indicator Organisms: Enterococcus
Standards: Since at least 2000, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the Connecticut
Department of Public Health have used the BEACH Act–required standards for marine and estuarine beaches: an
enterococcus single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml and a geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml. Some municipali-
ties use either the single sample maximum or the geometric mean to trigger closing and advisory decisions, while for
other municipalities, both the single-sample maximum and the geometric mean must be exceeded to trigger closing and
advisory decisions.
A number of municipalities have adopted a rainfall threshold. When this threshold is reached, beaches are auto
matically closed until test results indicate that there is no bacterial violation. Local health departments may close beaches
if there is a known sewage spill or indications of sewage plant debris. These decisions may be based on currents, tides,
wind direction, or other factors.
Local Preemptive Rainfall Standards for Marine and Estuarine Beaches

County Agency Preemptive Standard
Fairfield Bridgeport Health Dept. More than 1 inch of rain in 24 hours
Fairfield Darien Health Dept. More than 1 inch of rain in 24 hours
Fairfield Fairfield Health Dept. Town of Fairfield 1.6 inches rain in 24 hours, closed for 24 hours
CT.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

County Agency Preemptive Standard

In Byram ≥ 0.5 inch (May–September). In Greenwich Point:
Fairfield Greenwich Dept. of Health “excessive rainfall” May–June; ≥ 1.5 inches July; ≥ 1.0 inch
August–September. Islands not affected.
1 inch in a 24-hour period in normal rain conditions, 0.5 inch in
Fairfield Stamford Health Dept. Laboratory
24‑hour period in drought conditions
1 to 2 inches in 24 hours, closed for 24 hours; 2 or more inches in
Fairfield Stratford Health Dept.
24 hours, closed for 48 hours
New Haven West Haven Health Dept. About 1 inch in 24 hours
Monitoring
Frequency: The Connecticut Department of Public Health provided 2006 monitoring frequency information for all
67 public beaches along 18 miles of coastline. Monitoring locations were selected using a risk-based approach. All Tier 1
and Tier 2 beaches were monitored once a week, and all Tier 3 beaches were monitored once a week except for two
beaches that were monitored three times a month.1 This means that 97 percent (65) of Connecticut’s beaches were moni-
tored once a week and 3 percent (2) were monitored three times a month.
Practice: Samples are taken 12 to 18 inches below the surface in water that is three to four feet deep.2 Sampling results
are available no sooner than 24 hours after the sample is delivered to the lab. Sampling generally takes place Monday
through Thursday, usually before noon.
Results: Although 65 of Connecticut’s 67 public beaches were reported as monitored at least once a week in 2006,
Connecticut told NRDC that its level of BEACH Act grant funding allowed it to maintain data for only 54 beaches in
2006.2 For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Connecticut’s
daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the state standard remained
constant at 4 percent between 2005 and 2006.
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Kiddie’s Beach (29%) and Green Harbor
Beach (19%) in New London County, followed by Esposito Beach (13%) and Clinton Town Beach (13%) in Middlesex
County, Ocean Beach Park in New London (11%), Island Beach in Fairfield County (9%), Jacobs Town Beach in New
Haven County (9%), Waterford Town Beach in New London (9%), and Clark Avenue Beach in New Haven (8%).
Forty-eight percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Middlesex
County had the most beaches with no exceedances (67%) followed by New Haven (47%), New London (45%), and
Fairfield (45%). The table below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard
for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Fairfield Greenwich Point Beach 1/wk 51 18%
Fairfield Byram Beach 1/wk 57 11%
Fairfield Short Beach 1/wk 44 9%
Fairfield Island Beach 1 1/wk 33 9%
Fairfield East (Cove Island) Beach 1/wk 48 8%
Fairfield Compo Beach 3/mo 54 6%
Fairfield West Beach 1/wk 36 6%


County Beach Tier
Fairfield Quigley Beach 1/wk 18 6%
Fairfield Weed Beach 1/wk 22 5%
Fairfield Jennings Beach 1 1/wk 28 4%
Fairfield Pear Tree Point Beach 1/wk 33 3%
Fairfield Penfield Beach 1 1/wk 28 0%
Fairfield Great Captain’s Island Beach 1 1/wk 28 0%
Fairfield South Pine Creek Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
Fairfield Long Beach (Marnick’s) 1/wk 15 0%
Fairfield Southport Beach 1 1/wk 28 0%
Fairfield Sasco Beach 1 1/wk 29 0%
Fairfield Cummings Beach 1/wk 49 0%
Fairfield Burying Hill Beach 3/mo 12 0%
Fairfield Long Beach (Proper) 1/wk 28 0%
Middlesex Esposito Beach 1 1/wk 8 13%
Middlesex Town Beach (Clinton) 1 1/wk 8 13%
Middlesex Middle Beach/Stannard Beach 1 1/wk 8 0%
Middlesex Harvey’s Beach 1 1/wk 2 0%
Middlesex Westbrook Town Beach/West Beach 1 1/wk 22 0%
Middlesex Town Beach (Old Saybrook) 1 1/wk 4 0%
New Haven Jacobs Beach (Town Beach) 1 1/wk 46 9%
New Haven Clark Avenue Beach 1 1/wk 12 8%
New Haven Branford Point Beach 1 1/wk 15 7%
New Haven West Wharf Beach 1 1/wk 15 7%
New Haven Pent Road Beach 1 1/wk 15 7%
New Haven East Wharf Beach 1 1/wk 16 6%
New Haven Stony Creek Beach 1 1/wk 16 6%
New Haven West Haven West Beach 1 1/wk 52 6%
New Haven West Haven East Beach 1 1/wk 103 1%
New Haven East Haven Town Beach 1 1/wk 31 0%
New Haven Woodmont Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
New Haven Surf Club Beach 1 1/wk 30 0%
New Haven Anchor Beach (Merwin Point) #2 1 1/wk 14 0%
New Haven Lighthouse Point Beach 1/wk 4 0%
New Haven Walnut Beach 1 1/wk 28 0%
New Haven Gulf Beach 1 1/wk 14 0%
New Haven Anchor Beach (Merwin Point) #1 1 1/wk 14 0%
New London Kiddie’s Beach 1 1/wk 17 29%
New London Green Harbor Beach 1 1/wk 21 19%
New London Ocean Beach Park 1 1/wk 28 11%
New London Waterford Town Beach 1 1/wk 46 9%
New London Hole-In-The-Wall Beach 1 1/wk 14 7%


County Beach Tier
New London Pleasure Beach 1 1/wk 15 7%
New London Noank Dock 1 1/wk 14 0%
New London Mccook Point Beach 1 1/wk 16 0%
New London Dubois Beach 1 1/wk 27 0%
New London Esker Point Beach 1 1/wk 14 0%
New London Eastern Point Beach 1 1/wk 29 0%

Connecticut issued one advisory and 106 closures in 2006. The total number of beach closing and advisory days
increased 12 percent, from 200 in 2005 to 224 in 2006. Closings and advisories at Connecticut’s 46 Tier 1 beaches
increased from 24 days in 2004 to 73 days in 2005, then decreased to 54 days in 2006. During the time period over
which this overall increase in closing and advisory days occurred, the overall monitoring frequency at these beaches
was steady.
Closing and Advisory Issuance: Closing and advisory procedures differ among the different monitoring agencies within
the state.
When routine samples exceed the state standards, the state recommends that a resample be taken and a sanitary
survey be conducted to determine if raw or partially treated sewage is contributing to the elevated bacterial levels. If
the survey reveals discharges of raw or partially treated sewage, then the state recommends that the bathing area be
closed. If sample results exceed the standards and a sanitary survey reveals no evidence of sewage contamination, the
state recommends that the bathing area be examined on an individual basis with consultation from the Connecticut
Department of Public Health before any decision about closure is made. A beach whose samples exceed the standards
may remain open if a sanitary survey reveals no sign of a sewage spill.2 Some municipalities collect multiple samples at
each monitoring event, and in most cases, if more than one sample exceeds the standard, they will close the beach with-
out resample.
The monitoring agency for each beach is responsible for notifying the public of beach closures and advisories.
Notification methods vary and include signs, radio announcements, telephone hotlines, and the internet.1
Sections of a beach or a whole beach may be placed under advisory or closed, depending on the circumstances.
Reopening Procedures: For the four state park beaches monitored by the Department of Environmental Protection,
resampling is conducted every day until the beach is reopened or the advisory is lifted.3
Causes of Closings and Advisories: Seventy-eight percent (174) of closing/advisory days in 2006 were preemptive rainfall
advisories. Eighteen percent (41) were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels. Of these, 66 percent (27)
were due to stormwater, 17 percent (7) were due to unknown sources, 10 percent (4) were due to boats, and 7 percent
(3) were due to wildlife. Four percent (8) of closing/advisory days were preemptive due to known sewage spills, and less
than one percent (1 day) was preemptive due to other causes.
2006 Connecticut Beach Closings/Advisories

Fairfield Bell Island Beach 7/19 7/21 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Bell Island Beach 8/28 8/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Burying Hill Beach 8/29 9/1 Bacteria Stormwater


Fairfield Byram Beach 8/31 9/1 Bacteria Boat
Fairfield Byram Beach 6/2 6/4 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Calf Pasture Beach 7/19 7/21 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Calf Pasture Beach 8/28 8/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Compo Beach 7/11 7/13 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Fairfield Compo Beach 8/29 9/1 Bacteria Stormwater
Fairfield Cummings Beach 6/27 6/28 Prempt-sew (?)
Fairfield Cummings Beach 8/20 8/22 Prempt-sew (?)
Fairfield Cummings Beach 6/30 7/1 Bacteria Boat
Fairfield Cummings Beach 6/3 6/4 Prempt-rain Boat
Fairfield East (Cove Island) Beach 6/29 6/30 Bacteria (?)
Fairfield East (Cove Island) Beach 6/3 6/4 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Great Captain’s Island Beach 6/27 6/28 Bacteria Boat
Fairfield Greenwich Point Beach 8/31 9/1 Bacteria Stormwater
Fairfield Greenwich Point Beach 7/13 7/14 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Hickory Bluff Beach 7/19 7/21 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Hickory Bluff Beach 8/28 8/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Island Beach 8/22 8/23 Bacteria Boat
Fairfield Jennings Beach 8/28 8/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Long Beach (Marnick’s) 6/4 6/5 Prempt-rain (?)


Fairfield Long Beach (Proper) 6/4 6/5 Prempt-rain (?)
Fairfield Marvin Beach 6/28 7/1 Bacteria (?)
Fairfield Marvin Beach 7/19 7/21 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Marvin Beach 8/28 8/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Pear Tree Point Beach 6/9 6/11 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Fairfield Pear Tree Point Beach 6/8 6/9 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Penfield Beach 8/28 8/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Quigley Beach 6/3 6/4 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Rowayton Beach 7/19 7/21 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Rowayton Beach 8/28 8/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Sasco Beach 8/28 8/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Shady Beach 7/19 7/21 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Shady Beach 8/28 8/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Sherwood Island State Park Beach 7/11 7/12 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Fairfield Sherwood Island State Park Beach 8/29 8/31 Bacteria Stormwater
Fairfield Short Beach 6/4 6/5 Prempt-rain (?)
Fairfield South Pine Creek Beach 8/28 8/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Southport Beach 8/28 8/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield Weed Beach 6/28 6/30 Bacteria Stormwater
Fairfield Weed Beach 6/8 6/9 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Fairfield West Beach 8/4 8/5 Bacteria (?)


Fairfield West Beach 6/3 6/4 Prempt-rain Boat
Middlesex Esposito Beach 8/31 9/3 Bacteria Wildlife
Middlesex Town Beach 8/30 9/2 Prempt-rain Stormwater
New Haven Anchor Beach (Merwin Point) #1 9/3 9/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
New Haven Anchor Beach (Merwin Point) #2 9/3 9/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
New Haven Branford Point Beach 8/29 9/2 Bacteria Stormwater
New Haven Gulf Beach 9/3 9/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
New Haven Jacobs Beach (Town Beach) 8/30 9/1 Bacteria Stormwater
New Haven Lighthouse Point Beach 7/7 7/9 Bacteria (?)
New Haven Lighthouse Point Beach 8/1 8/2 Prempt-other Other
New Haven Silver Sands State Park Beach 8/29 9/2 Bacteria Stormwater
New Haven Stony Creek Beach 8/29 9/2 Bacteria Stormwater
New Haven Walnut Beach 9/3 9/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
New Haven Woodmont Beach 9/3 9/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
New London Rocky Neck State Park Beach 8/29 8/31 Bacteria Stormwater
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, moniotring that revealed high bacteria levels; Preempt-other, preemptive due to reasons not listed here; Preempt-rain,
preemptive due to heavy rainfall; (?), unknown.
Notes
1 Jon Dinneen, Connecticut Department of Public Health, personal communication, May 2007.
2 Jon Dinneen, Connecticut Department of Public Health, personal communication, July 2007.
3 Connecticut Dept of Public Health and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Indicator
Bacteria Monitoring at Public Bathing Beaches, available at http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/quality_assurance/qaap_water/qapp_indbac.pdf, February
2003.

Delaware
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) administers Delaware’s beach
monitoring and notification program. The state has sampled swimming water at varying levels of intensity since 1979.
Delaware has about 25 miles of Delaware Bay coastline and 26 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline. All three counties
(Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex) have coastline, but all moni-
tored beaches are in Sussex County. The monitoring season
For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of
stretches from the first Monday in May to the second samples exceeding the state standard
Monday in September. went from 0 percent in 2005 to 1 per-
Delaware issued advisories only in 2006, and no
cent in 2006.
closings. All of the indicator-based advisories were for
freshwater swimming areas. State policy is to issue advisories and not closings for indicator exceedances. However, cir-
cumstances that would trigger an imminent health threat would trigger a closure. Permanent swimming advisories were
issued for two marine beaches, Holts Landing Beach (Indian River Bay) and Tower Road Bayside (Rehoboth Bay).1
These two beaches were historically under indicator-based advisories for 20 days during the beach season, which made
them difficult to staff with lifeguards. Because of the greater probability of an advisory and to save on lifeguard costs,
these beaches were placed under permanent advisory.2
Delaware received a $210,750 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $211,040 grant in 2007.
The full cost of Delaware’s coastal beach monitoring and notification program is approximately double the amount
of the BEACH Act grant.2 Tourism in Delaware contributes about $1.2 billion and generates 23,000 related jobs.
Standards
Standards: Delaware has adopted BEACH Act–required standards: for ocean and bay waters, an enterococcus
s ingle‑sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml and a geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml.3 EPA standards for coastal
beaches and fresh water were formally adopted as per Title 7 of the Delaware Annotated Code in 2004.2 For
freshwater, Delaware’s enterococcus standard is a geometric mean of 100 cfu/100 ml and a single sample of
185 cfu/100 ml.
Delaware has preemptive rainfall advisory standards for freshwater but not marine swimming areas. People are advised
not to swim in small, inland waterways after a heavy rain due to runoff from the land. The Shellfish and Recreational
Water Branch may issue swimming advisories based on rainfall events in excess of the applicable standards, and/or may
issue a blanket rainfall advisory for all swimming areas when an intensive and extensive rainfall occurs.1 The freshwater
preemptive standards are 2.5 inches of rain within 24 hours or 1.5 inches within 12 hours. The DNREC indicates it
believes that the majority of Delaware’s ocean and bay beaches are not significantly affected by rainfall. The exception is
Tower Road Bay Side (Rehoboth Bay) Beach, which is significantly affected by rainfall and runoff and which is under a
permanent swimming advisory.
Monitoring
Frequency: The DNREC monitored 20 ocean and bay beaches for the 2006 swim season. Beaches were initially priori
tized for the monitoring program based on whether they were regulated and lifeguards were present, but now all of the
Atlantic Ocean coastline and the bay coastline south of Slaughter Beach is considered to be covered under the program.
All Tier 1 and Tier 2 beaches were assigned a weekly monitoring frequency in 2006. However, Holts Landing Beach, a
Tier 1 beach, was not monitored the weeks of May 8 or July 31. Another Tier 1 beach, Broadkill Beach, was not moni-
tored the week of May 29. Slaughter Beach (Tier 1), Prime Hook Beach (Tier 2), and Tower Road Bayside (Tier 2) were
not monitored the week of July 3, and Lewes Beach South (Tier 1) was not monitored the week of July 10. There are no
Tier 3 beaches.
DE.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Practice: Samples are taken in knee-deep water, generally on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.2 Results are available
24 hours after sampling.1 Replicate samples are sometimes taken.1
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Delaware’s
daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standard went from 0
percent in 2005 to 1 percent in 2006.
In 2006, 18 percent of monitoring samples exceeded the state’s standards at one Tier 1 beach (Holts Landing). Ninety
percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. The table below lists the tier
status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are
grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Frequency Samples Exceedances
Sussex Delaware Seashore State Park, Tower Road Bayside 2 1/wk 18 50%
Sussex Holts Landing Beach 1 1/wk 17 18%
Sussex South Indian River Inlet Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex Atlantic Beach Near Gordons Pond 1 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex Rehoboth-Virginia Ave Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex Rehoboth-Queen St Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex Rehoboth-Rehoboth Ave Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex South Bethany Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex Bethany Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex Prime Hook Beach 2 1/wk 18 0%
Sussex Fenwick Island State Park Beach 2 1/wk 19 0%
North Indian River Inlet Beach, Delaware Seashore State
Sussex 1 1/wk 19 0%
Park
Sussex Cape Henlopen Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex Dewey Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex Lewes Beach North 1 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex Lewes Beach South 1 1/wk 18 0%
Sussex Slaughter Beach 1 1/wk 18 0%
Sussex Delaware/Maryland Line Beach 2 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex Delaware Seashore State Park, Tower Road Ocean Site 1 1/wk 19 0%
Sussex Broadkill Beach 1 1/wk 18 0%

Tower Road Bayside and Holts Landing Beach were under permanent advisory in 2006. No other advisories and no
closures were issued in Delaware in 2006. No closing and advisory days for events lasting six consecutive weeks or fewer
occurred in 2005 or in 2006. The number of closing and advisory events lasting longer than six consecutive weeks
remained unchanged in 2005 and 2006 at two. Closings and advisories at Delaware’s 17 Tier 1 beaches decreased from
5 days in 2004 to zero days in 2005 and 2006. During the time period over which this steady decrease in closing and
advisory days occurred, the overall monitoring frequency at these beaches was steady.

Closing/Advisory Issuance: Indicator-based beach advisories are not issued in Delaware unless re-sampling confirms an
exceedance. Whether advisories are issued for an entire beach or for a section of beach is taken up on a case-by-case basis.
The DNREC examines bacterial monitoring results, along with other factors, before issuing a “no swimming” advisory.
For example, if the DNREC determines that elevated bacterial levels are the result of natural conditions and are present-
ing no threat to public health, an advisory will not be issued. The DNREC provides an advisory information line during
the summer (800-922-WAVE), posts monitoring results and current advisory status on its website (http://www.dnrec.
state.de.us/dnreceis/Div_Water/Apps/RecWater/Asp/RecWaterPublic.asp), and offers automatic updates to beachgoers
via email messages. Also, signs are posted.
Reopening Procedures: Once an advisory is issued, the beach is monitored more frequently until the advisory can be
lifted.2
Causes of Closings/Advisories: There were no marine beach closures in 2006. All advisory days were for two beaches,
Holts Landing Beach and Tower Road Bayside, which were placed under permanent advisory.
2006 Delaware Beach Closings/Advisories

Sussex Delaware Seashore State Park, Tower Road Bayside 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other No data
Sussex Holts Landing Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other No data
Abbreviations used: Preempt-other, preemptive due to reasons not listed here.
Notes
1 Delaware Deptartment of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, 2006 Recreational Water Year-End Report, not dated.
2 Jack Pingree, Environmental Program Manager, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, personal communication,
May 2007.
3 40 CFR Part 131, “Water Quality Standards for Coastal and Great Lakes Recreation Waters: Final Rule,” November 16, 2004.

Florida
With its year-round swim season and more than 1,000 miles of coastal beach, Florida has by far the most coastal swim-
mers in the nation.1 The state has 634 public coastal beaches stretching along the Atlantic and Gulf coastline. The
Florida Department of Health (FDOH) administers the state’s beach monitoring and notification program. Monitoring
and advisory/warning issuance are conducted by Florida’s
county health departments, which are agents and employ- For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent
ees of the FDOH. Local health departments in 34 of the of samples exceeding the standard
state’s 35 coastal counties (Jefferson County has no acces-
sible beaches) monitor an average of nine sites each, so that
decreased to 6 percent in 2006 from
nearly half of the beaches in the state are monitored. The 8 percent in 2005.
peak monitoring season is from April to mid-September.
Florida’s Big Bend area had the highest beach advisory rate in 2006, probably due to a combination of poor water
circulation with silty, organic-laden bottom soils and multiple streams draining many square miles of natural woodlands,
silviculture, and farmlands.2 Generally, drought conditions impacted the beach program in 2006, with statewide pre-
cipitation at 80 percent of normal, but the year did see two tropical storms come ashore. On June 13, rain from Alberto
flooded the cities of Perry and Homossassa Springs. On August 30, heavy rainfall from Ernesto affected Collier County
along with many other counties in south Florida.
Shired Island, which is perhaps incorrectly classified as a beach, has ongoing high bacteria counts. This site is in a
remote area of Dixie County, six miles from the nearest municipality by sea and two miles from any private residences.
It is adjacent to a National Wildlife Refuge and has a small county park with facilities. With its low wave action and
shallow mucky water, this site can be best described as a saltwater marsh or estuary. The Dixie County Soil and Water
Conservation District has expressed an interest in researching the high bacteria counts at the site and has paid for limited
initial source tracking that indicated there was no human component to the enterococcus counts at the beach. Further
funding is being sought from the Suwannee River Water Management District to upgrade the facilities at the site and
conduct further source tracking.
Beach warnings are issued in Florida when fecal coliform levels exceed standards and advisories are issued when
enterococcus levels exceed standards. As far as the beachgoing public goes, these are identical, so NRDC refers to both
warnings and advisories as advisories. There is no statutory authority for closing beaches.
The Florida Healthy Beaches Program received a $528,410 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006, along with an alloca-
tion of $525,000 in recurring general revenue from the state. Florida is eligible for a $534,700 BEACH Act grant in
2007. Tourism in Florida contributes about $62 billion to the state’s economy and generates 948,700 related jobs.
Standards
Indicator Organisms: Enterococcus, fecal coliform
Standards: Florida uses the EPA standards for Enterococcus of a single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml and a geomet-
ric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml, as well as a fecal coliform single-sample standard of 400 cfu/100 ml, to determine the health
safety of beachwater. In most coastal counties, officials issue an advisory if any one of the three standards is exceeded. The
fecal coliform standard has been adopted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in state rule, and the
FDOH is given the authority to monitor and advise about the health impacts of swimming at beaches under state statute.2
Pinellas County has a preemptive rainfall standard for two saltwater beaches: Maximo and North Shore. Maximo
Beach’s standard is 0.8 inch within a 24-hour period, while North Shore Beach’s standard is one inch within a 24-hour
period. Okaloosa County has a preemptive rain standard for freshwater beaches that is in effect only when there is hard
rain for eight hours or more than four inches of rain falls within two days. Martin County has a preemptive standard
based on turbidity, and Monroe County also issues preemptive rainfall advisories. Most counties will warn against swim-
ming after a sewage spill until sampling results are satisfactory. After a hurricane or tropical storm comes ashore, precau-
tionary advisories are issued.
FL.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Monitoring
Frequency: Since August 2002, 307 sites in 34 coastal counties have been monitored once a week. However, it may not
have been the same 307 sites at all times. In 2006, the 307 monitored beaches represented 576 miles of coastline.
Beaches are prioritized for monitoring on a county-by-county basis. Criteria are population served, pollution poten-
tial, and rainfall. While this ensures that the most critical beaches in each county are monitored, there are a wide variety
of beach characteristics in Florida, and beaches chosen for monitoring in one county may not be as important as beaches
in another county. Florida is currently working on implementing a statewide program for prioritizing its beaches, so that
the most important beaches in the state are monitored.
Practice: Samples are collected in water that is approximately 18 inches deep, usually in the morning. Lab analysis takes a
minimum of 24 hours to complete, and with transport and reporting, county health departments usually receive results
about 30 hours after samples are collected. Most sampling is conducted on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, with
some resampling done on Thursdays.
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Florida’s
daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standard decreased to
6 percent in 2006 from 8 percent in 2005.
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Cedar Island in Taylor County (89%) fol-
lowed by Shired Island in Dixie County (85%); Dekle Beach (70%), Keaton Beach (68%), and Hagen’s Cove in Taylor
County (64%); Navy Point-Bayou Grande (61%), Bayview Park (55%), and Bayou Chico in Escambia County (52%);
Carrabelle Beach in Franklin County (49%); Mash Island in Wakulla County (48%).
Forty-two percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Brevard,
Flagler, Indian River, St Lucie, and Hernando Counties had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances
(100%), followed by Volusia (80%), Walton (75%), and Collier (71%). The table below lists the tier status, monitor-
ing frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by
county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Bay Beckrich Road (Edgewater Gulf Beach) 1 1/wk 52 21%
Bay Carl Gray Park 1 1/wk 52 21%
Bay Beach Drive 1 1/wk 52 13%
Bay Laguna Beach 1 1/wk 52 10%
Bay Dupont Bridge 1 1/wk 52 8%
Bay Bid-A-Wee Beach 1 1/wk 52 6%
Bay Delwood Beach 1 1/wk 52 6%
Bay Spy Glass Drive (Biltmore Beach) 1 1/wk 52 4%
Bay Sunset Park 1 1/wk 52 4%
Bay East County Line (Mexico Beach) 1 1/wk 52 2%
Bay Panama City Beach Pier (Edgewater Beach) 1 1/wk 52 2%
Bay Seltzer Park (Silver Sands Beach) 1 1/wk 52 2%
Bay West County Line (Carrilon Beach) 1/wk 52 0%
Brevard Canaveral National Seashore/Playalinda Beach 1/wk 41 0%
Brevard Cocoa Beach Minuteman Causeway 1/wk 51 0%
Brevard Cocoa Beach Pier 1/wk 51 0%


County Beach Tier
Brevard Indialantic Boardwalk 1/wk 51 0%
Brevard Jetty Park (Cape Canaveral) 1/wk 51 0%
Brevard Paradise Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Brevard Patrick Air Force Base (Pafb) North 1/wk 51 0%
Brevard Pelican Beach Park 1/wk 51 0%
Brevard Sebastian Inlet North 1/wk 51 0%
Brevard Spessard Holland Beach Park (North) 1/wk 51 0%
Broward John Lloyd State Park 1 1/wk 54 6%
Broward Pompano Beach 1/wk 55 5%
Broward Harrison Street 1/wk 54 4%
Broward Commercial Blvd 1/wk 53 2%
Broward Hallandale Beach Blvd 1/wk 53 2%
Broward Oakland Park Boulevard 1/wk 53 2%
Broward Bahia Mar 1/wk 52 0%
Broward Birch State Park 1/wk 52 0%
Broward Custer Street 1/wk 52 0%
Broward Dania Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Broward Deerfield Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Broward Deerfield Beach Se 10th Street 1/wk 52 0%
Broward Minnesota Street 1/wk 52 0%
Broward Ne 16 Street, Pompano 1/wk 52 0%
Broward Sebastian Street 1/wk 52 0%
Charlotte Port Charlotte Beach West 1 1/wk 56 25%
Charlotte Englewood North 1 1/wk 54 9%
Charlotte Port Charlotte Beach East 1 1/wk 54 9%
Charlotte Palm Island North 1 1/wk 54 7%
Charlotte Palm Island South 1 1/wk 54 7%
Charlotte Englewood South 1/wk 52 6%
Charlotte Englewood Mid Beach 1 1/wk 53 6%
Charlotte Boca Grande 1/wk 51 2%
Citrus Fort Island Gulf Beach 1 1/wk 52 2%
Collier Doctor’s Pass 1/wk 53 2%
Collier Horizon Way Beach (Aka Parkshore Beach) 1/wk 53 2%
Collier South Marco Beach 1/wk 53 2%
Collier Vanderbilt Beach 1/wk 53 2%
Collier Barefoot Beach State Reserve 1/wk 52 0%
Collier Central Avenue 1/wk 52 0%
Collier Clam Pass 1/wk 52 0%
Collier Denor-Wiggins State Recreation Area 1/wk 52 0%
Collier Hideaway Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Collier Lowdermilk Park 1/wk 52 0%


County Beach Tier
Collier Naples Pier 1/wk 52 0%
Collier Pelican Bay Restaurant And Club 1/wk 52 0%
Collier Residence Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Collier Tigertail Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Dixie Shired Island 1 1/wk 34 85%
Duval Hopkins Street Access 1 1/wk 53 4%
Duval 15th Street Access 1/wk 52 2%
Duval 30th Avenue Access 1/wk 53 2%
Duval Atlantic Blvd Acess 1/wk 53 2%
Duval Beach Blvd Access 1/wk 53 2%
Duval 19th Street Access 1/wk 51 0%
Duval Hanna Park 1/wk 52 0%
Duval Huguenot Park 1/wk 52 0%
Duval North Little Talbot Island 1/wk 52 0%
Duval South Little Talbot Island 1/wk 52 0%
Escambia Navy Point (Bayou Grande) 1 1/wk 51 61%
Escambia Bayview Park 1 1/wk 53 55%
Escambia Bayou Chico 1 1/wk 52 52%
Escambia Sanders Beach 1 1/wk 41 12%
Escambia Quietwater Beach (Santa Rosa Sound) 1 1/wk 57 11%
Escambia Perdido Key State Park 1/wk 52 2%
Escambia County Park West 1/wk 53 2%
Escambia Big Lagoon State Park 1/wk 51 0%
Escambia County Park East 1/wk 13 0%
Escambia Johnson Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Escambia Johnson Beach Sound Side 1/wk 51 0%
Escambia Pensacola (Casino) Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Flagler Gamble Rogers State Park 1/wk 52 0%
Flagler North Flagler Pier 1/wk 52 0%
Flagler Picknickers (Beverly Beach) 1/wk 52 0%
Flagler South Flagler Pier 1/wk 52 0%
Flagler Varn Park 1/wk 52 0%
Flagler Washington Oaks State Park 1/wk 52 0%
Franklin Carrabelle Beach 1 1/wk 49 49%
Franklin Alligator Point 1 1/wk 49 8%
Franklin St. George Island 11th Street East 1 1/wk 98 2%
Franklin St. George Island Franklin Street 1 1/wk 49 2%
Franklin St. George Island State Park 1/wk 17 0%
Gulf Monument Beach 1 1/wk 38 24%
Gulf Beacon Hill Beach 1 1/wk 37 3%
Gulf St. Joe Beach 1 1/wk 37 3%


County Beach Tier
Gulf Lookout Beach 1 1/wk 38 3%
Gulf Dixie Belle Beach 1/wk 38 0%
Gulf Highway 98 Beach 1/wk 37 0%
Hernando Pine Island 1/wk 52 0%
Hillsborough Ben T. Davis North 1/wk 59 14%
Hillsborough Ben T. Davis South 1 1/wk 56 11%
Hillsborough Picnic Island South 1/wk 56 11%
Hillsborough Picnic Island North 1/wk 57 11%
Hillsborough Bahia Beach 1 1/wk 54 7%
Hillsborough Davis Island 1 1/wk 54 7%
Hillsborough Cypress Point North 1 1/wk 53 6%
Hillsborough Cypress Point South 1 1/wk 53 6%
Hillsborough Simmons Park 1/wk 53 4%
Indian River Coconut Point Sebastian Inlet 1/wk 51 0%
Indian River Humiston Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Indian River Round Island Beach Park 1/wk 52 0%
Indian River Sexton Plaza 1/wk 52 0%
Indian River South Beach Park 1/wk 52 0%
Indian River Wabasso Beach Park 1/wk 51 0%
Lee Lynn Hall Memorial Park 1/wk 56 7%
Lee Bowman’s Beach 1 1/wk 55 5%
Lee Cape Coral Yacht Club 1/wk 55 5%
Lee Turner Beach/Blind Pass Beach 1 1/wk 55 5%
Lee Tarpon Bay Road Beach 1 1/wk 54 4%
Lee Boca Grande Light House/Seagrape Beach 1/wk 53 2%
Lee Sanibel Causeway Beach 1/wk 53 2%
Lee Sanibel Lighthouse Park Beach 1/wk 53 2%
Lee South Seas Plantation Captiva - Redfish Pass 1/wk 53 2%
Lee Bonita Beach Park 1/wk 52 0%
Lee Bowditch Point Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Lee Little Hickory Beach Park 1/wk 52 0%
Lee Lovers Key State Park 1/wk 52 0%
Levy Cedar Key Beach 1 1/wk 51 27%
Manatee Palma Sola South 1 1/wk 57 19%
Manatee Bay Front Park North 1 1/wk 56 9%
Manatee Whitney Beach 1/wk 48 2%
Manatee Bradenton Beach 1/wk 53 2%
Manatee Palma Sola North 1/wk 53 2%
Manatee Bay Front Park South 1/wk 52 0%
Manatee Coquina Beach North 1/wk 52 0%
Manatee Coquina Beach South 1/wk 52 0%


County Beach Tier
Manatee Manatee Public Beach North 1/wk 52 0%
Manatee Manatee Public Beach South 1/wk 52 0%
Martin Roosevelt Bridge 1/wk 52 4%
Martin Bob Graham Beach 1/wk 52 2%
Martin Hobe Sound Public Beach 1/wk 52 2%
Martin Stuart Causeway 1/wk 52 2%
Martin Bathtub Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Martin Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge 1/wk 51 0%
Martin Jensen Beach Causeway East 1/wk 52 0%
Martin Jensen Public Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Martin Stuart Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Miami-Dade Crandon Park-Key Biscayne 1 1/wk 62 18%
Miami-Dade Matheson Hammock 1 1/wk 59 12%
Miami-Dade Hobie Beach 1/wk 58 10%
Miami-Dade North Shore Ocean Terrace 1/wk 58 10%
Miami-Dade 53rd Street - Miami Beach 1/wk 57 9%
Miami-Dade South Beach Park 1 1/wk 57 9%
Miami-Dade Sunny Isles Beach-Pier Park 1 1/wk 57 9%
Miami-Dade Collins Park-21st Street 1/wk 55 5%
Miami-Dade Oleta State Park 1/wk 53 4%
Miami-Dade Key Biscayne Beach 1/wk 54 4%
Miami-Dade Surfside Beach - 93rd Street 1 1/wk 54 4%
Miami-Dade Golden Beach 1/wk 53 2%
Miami-Dade Haulover Beach 1/wk 53 2%
Miami-Dade Cape Florida Park 1/wk 52 0%
Miami-Dade Virginia Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Monroe South Beach 1 1/wk 51 33%
Monroe Higgs Beach 1 1/wk 51 25%
Monroe Coco Plum Beach 1 1/wk 51 16%
Monroe John Pennekamp State Park Cannon Beach 1 1/wk 51 12%
Monroe Bahia Honda Sandspur 1 1/wk 51 10%
Monroe Simonton Beach 1 1/wk 51 10%
Monroe Anne’s Beach 1 1/wk 51 8%
Monroe Bahia Honda Oceanside 1 1/wk 51 6%
Monroe Founder’s Park Beach 1 1/wk 51 6%
Monroe Islamorada Public Library 1 1/wk 51 6%
Monroe Smathers Beach 1 1/wk 51 6%
Monroe Curry Hammock 1 1/wk 52 4%
Monroe Bahia Honda Bayside 1 1/wk 51 2%
Monroe Ft. Zachary Taylor 1 1/wk 51 2%
Monroe Harry Harris County Park 1 1/wk 51 2%


County Beach Tier
Monroe Sombrero Beach 1 1/wk 51 2%
Monroe Veteran’s Beach 1 1/wk 51 0%
Nassau South End 1 1/wk 51 10%
Nassau Jasmine Street 1 1/wk 52 2%
Nassau Sadler Road 1/wk 52 2%
Nassau Simmons Road 1 1/wk 52 2%
Nassau Amelia Island Plantation (Aip) Beach Club 1/wk 52 0%
Nassau American Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Nassau Fort Clinch Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Nassau Main Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Nassau Ocean Street 1/wk 52 0%
Nassau Peter’s Point 1/wk 52 0%
Nassau Piper Dunes (Aip Beach) 1/wk 52 0%
Okaloosa Liza Jackson Park 1 1/wk 51 45%
Okaloosa Rocky Bayou (Fred Gannon State Park) 1 1/wk 51 29%
Okaloosa Garniers 1 1/wk 51 12%
Okaloosa Camp Timpoochee 1 1/wk 50 10%
Okaloosa Lincoln Park 1 1/wk 51 10%
Okaloosa East Pass 1 1/wk 51 4%
Okaloosa Brackin Wayside 1 1/wk 51 2%
Okaloosa Gulf Island National Seashore 1 1/wk 51 2%
Okaloosa Henderson State Park Beach 1 1/wk 51 2%
Okaloosa Marlers Park 1 1/wk 51 2%
Okaloosa Poquito Park 1 1/wk 51 2%
Okaloosa James Lee Park Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Palm Beach Phil Foster Park 1 1/wk 52 4%
Palm Beach Peanut Island 1/wk 53 4%
Palm Beach Carlin Park 1/wk 52 2%
Palm Beach Lake Worth (Aka Kreusler) 1/wk 52 2%
Palm Beach South Inlet Park 1/wk 52 2%
Palm Beach Dubois Park 1/wk 53 2%
Palm Beach Spanish River 1/wk 53 2%
Palm Beach Boynton Beach Municipal 1/wk 51 0%
Palm Beach Delray Beach (Aka Sandoway Park) 1/wk 51 0%
Palm Beach Gulfstream Park 1/wk 51 0%
Palm Beach Jupiter Beach Park 1/wk 52 0%
Palm Beach Ocean Inlet Park 1/wk 51 0%
Palm Beach Palm Beach 1/wk 50 0%
Palm Beach Riviera Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Pasco Robert J. Strickland 1 1/wk 52 40%
Pasco Oelsner Park Beach 1 1/wk 52 23%


County Beach Tier
Pasco Robert K. Rees Park Beach 1 1/wk 52 23%
Pasco Energy And Marine Center 1 1/wk 52 19%
Pasco Brasher Park Beach 1 1/wk 50 14%
Pasco Gulf Harbors Beach 1 1/wk 52 4%
Pasco Anclote River Park Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Pinellas Courtney Campbell Causeway 1 1/wk 63 21%
Pinellas Mobbly Bayou Preserve 1/wk 59 12%
Pinellas North Shore Beach 1/wk 59 12%
Pinellas Fred Howard Beach 1/wk 58 10%
Pinellas Pass-A-Grille Beach 1/wk 57 9%
Pinellas Belleair Causeway-Intercoastal 1/wk 55 5%
Pinellas Treasure Island Beach 1/wk 55 5%
Pinellas Gandy Boulevard 1/wk 54 4%
Pinellas Indian Rocks Beach 1/wk 54 4%
Pinellas Indian Shores Beach 1/wk 54 4%
Pinellas Madeira Beach 1/wk 54 4%
Pinellas Sand Key 1/wk 53 2%
Pinellas Fort Desoto North Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Pinellas Honeymoon Island Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Santa Rosa Navarre Beach 1/wk 53 2%
Santa Rosa Shoreline Park 1/wk 53 2%
Santa Rosa Woodlawn Beach 1/wk 53 2%
Santa Rosa Homeport 1/wk 52 0%
Santa Rosa Juana’s Beach 1/wk 52 0%
Santa Rosa Navarre Beach West 1/wk 52 0%
Santa Rosa Navarre Park 1/wk 52 0%
Sarasota Venice Fishing Pier 1 1/wk 55 9%
Sarasota Blind Pass Beach 1 1/wk 53 4%
Sarasota Brohard Beach 1 1/wk 53 4%
Sarasota Manasota Beach 1/wk 53 4%
Sarasota Ringling Causeway 1/wk 53 4%
Sarasota Venice Public Beach 1/wk 53 4%
Sarasota Caspersen Public Beach 1/wk 52 2%
Sarasota Lido Casino Beach 1/wk 52 2%
Sarasota Longboat Key Access 1/wk 52 2%
Sarasota Service Club Park 1/wk 52 2%
Sarasota Siesta Key Public Beach 1/wk 52 2%
Sarasota Nokomis Public Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Sarasota North Jetty Park Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Sarasota North Lido Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Sarasota South Lido Beach 1/wk 51 0%


County Beach Tier
Sarasota Turtle Beach 1/wk 51 0%
St Johns Mickler’s Landing 1/wk 52 4%
St Johns Solano (Ponte Vedra Beach) 1/wk 52 2%
St Johns Vilano Beach 1/wk 53 2%
St Johns Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine Beach) 1/wk 52 0%
St Johns Crescent Beach 1/wk 52 0%
St Johns Matanzas Inlet 1/wk 51 0%
St Johns St. Augustine Beach A Street 1/wk 52 0%
St Johns St. Augustine Beach Ocean Trace 1/wk 51 0%
St Lucie F Douglass Memorial Park 1/wk 50 0%
St Lucie Fort Pierce Inlet/North Jetty Park 1/wk 50 0%
St Lucie Pepper Park 1/wk 51 0%
St Lucie Walton Rocks Beach 1/wk 48 0%
Taylor Cedar Island 1 1/wk 37 89%
Taylor Dekle Beach 1 1/wk 37 70%
Taylor Keaton Beach 1 1/wk 37 68%
Taylor Hagen’s Cove 1 1/wk 36 64%
Volusia Florida Shores Blvd 1 1/wk 52 2%
Volusia International Speedway, Daytona Beach 1 1/wk 52 2%
Volusia Silver Beach, Daytona Beach 1 1/wk 52 2%
Volusia 27th Street, New Smryna Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Volusia Bicentennial Park, Ormond Beach 1/wk 102 0%
Volusia Dunlawton, Daytona Beach Shores 1/wk 51 0%
Volusia Flagler Avenue, New Smryna Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Volusia Granada, Ormond Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Volusia Main, Daytona Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Volusia North Jetty, Ponce Inlet 1/wk 51 0%
Volusia Oceanview Way, Ponce Inlet 1/wk 50 0%
Volusia Seabreeze, Daytona Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Volusia South Jetty, New Smryna Beach 1/wk 51 0%
Volusia Torinita, Wilbur By The Sea 1/wk 51 0%
Volusia Villa Way 1/wk 51 0%
Wakulla Mash Island 1 1/wk 27 48%
Wakulla Shell Point Beach 1 1/wk 49 39%
Walton Choctaw Beach County Park 1 1/wk 59 19%
Walton Wheeler Point 1/wk 52 2%
Walton County Park 1/wk 52 0%
Walton Dune Allen Beach Access 1/wk 51 0%
Walton Eastern Lake Beach Access 1/wk 51 0%
Walton Grayton Beach Access 1/wk 51 0%
Walton Holly Street Beach Access 1/wk 51 0%


County Beach Tier
Walton Tdc Beach Access 1/wk 51 0%
Advisories
Advisories were issued for Florida beaches 285 times in 2006. The number of advisory days for events lasting six consecu-
tive weeks or fewer at Florida beaches decreased 10 percent, to 2,686 days in 2006 from 2,991 days in 2005. There were
13 extended and nine permanent advisory events in Florida in 2006 compared to 13 extended events and seven perma-
nent events in 2005. Advisories at Florida’s 308 Tier 1 beaches decreased from 3,328 days in 2004 to 2,991 days in 2005,
then decreased again to 2,686 days in 2006. During the time period over which this steady decrease in advisory days
occurred, the overall monitoring frequency at these beaches was steady.
Advisory Issuance: The Florida Department of Health requires that swimming advisories be issued when monitoring
samples exceed the BEACH Act–required geometric mean or single-sample maximum standard for enterococcus, and
that warnings be issued when state fecal coliform levels are exceeded. Counties are responsible for issuing warnings and
advisories.2 There is no practical difference between an advisory and a warning—the program makes the distinction
based simply on the indicator organism that is triggering the action. All advisories and warnings are referred to in this
report as advisories.
If a sample exceeds a standard, an advisory is issued unless the county can conduct a follow-up sample within the
same week. If the re-sample confirms an exceedance, a advisory is issued. The Florida Department of Health posts moni-
toring results for all 307 beaches on its website. Local media is alerted and signs are posted at the beach when a advisory
is issued. Advisories apply to entire beaches, not to sections of beaches.
Reopening Procedures: Most sites in Florida are sampled weekly and the monitoring frequency does not increase if an
advisory is issued. Resamples are instead taken to confirm poor water quality results.
Causes of Advisories: All (2,686) of Florida’s beach advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated
bacteria levels from unknown sources of contamination.
2006 Florida Beach Advisories

Bay Beach Drive 1/30 2/6 Bacteria (?)
Bay Beckrich Road (Edgewater Gulf Beach) 7/31 8/7 Bacteria (?)


Bay Bid-A-Wee Beach 3/20 3/27 Bacteria (?)
Bay Carl Gray Park 1/30 2/6 Bacteria (?)
Bay Delwood Beach 8/28 9/11 Bacteria (?)
Bay Delwood Beach 10/16 10/23 Bacteria (?)
Bay Dupont Bridge 8/28 9/11 Bacteria (?)
Bay East County Line (Mexico Beach) 3/27 4/3 Bacteria (?)
Bay Laguna Beach 10/16 10/23 Bacteria (?)
Bay Panama City Beach Pier (Edgewater Beach) 8/28 9/5 Bacteria (?)
Bay Seltzer Park (Silver Sands Beach) 7/31 8/7 Bacteria (?)
Bay Spy Glass Drive (Biltmore Beach) 6/26 7/10 Bacteria (?)
Bay Sunset Park 9/11 9/18 Bacteria (?)
Bay Sunset Park 11/6 11/13 Bacteria (?)
Broward John Lloyd State Park 9/7 9/11 Bacteria (?)
Charlotte Englewood Mid Beach 9/20 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Charlotte Englewood North 8/23 8/28 Bacteria (?)
Charlotte Englewood North 9/18 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Charlotte Palm Island North 9/20 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Charlotte Palm Island South 9/20 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Charlotte Port Charlotte Beach East 9/18 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Charlotte Port Charlotte Beach East 10/2 10/4 Bacteria (?)
Charlotte Port Charlotte Beach West 10/16 10/23 Bacteria (?)
Citrus Fort Island Gulf Beach 8/2 8/7 Bacteria (?)
Dixie Shired Island 1/1 6/26 Bacteria (?)
Dixie Shired Island 7/10 12/4 Bacteria (?)
Duval Hopkins Street Access 3/2 3/7 Bacteria (?)
Escambia Bayou Chico 6/26 7/3 Bacteria (?)


Escambia Bayview Park 6/12 6/19 Bacteria (?)
Escambia Navy Point (Bayou Grande) 4/10 4/17 Bacteria (?)
Escambia Quietwater Beach (Santa Rosa Sound) 9/19 9/21 Bacteria (?)
Escambia Quietwater Beach (Santa Rosa Sound) 9/21 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Escambia Sanders Beach 2/13 2/27 Bacteria (?)
Franklin Alligator Point 6/12 6/19 Bacteria (?)
Franklin Alligator Point 1/17 2/6 Bacteria (?)
Franklin Carrabelle Beach 6/12 6/19 Bacteria (?)
Franklin St. George Island 11th Street East 9/13 9/18 Bacteria (?)
Franklin St. George Island 11th Street East 1/1 1/3 Bacteria (?)
Franklin St. George Island 11th Street West 9/13 9/18 Bacteria (?)
Franklin St. George Island Franklin Street 9/13 9/18 Bacteria (?)
Gulf Beacon Hill Beach 9/19 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Gulf Lookout Beach 9/18 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Gulf Monument Beach 1/30 2/6 Bacteria (?)
Gulf St. Joe Beach 9/19 9/25 Bacteria (?)


Hillsborough Bahia Beach 5/10 5/15 Bacteria (?)
Hillsborough Ben T. Davis South 1/5 1/9 Bacteria (?)
Hillsborough Cypress Point North 5/10 5/15 Bacteria (?)
Hillsborough Cypress Point South 5/10 5/15 Bacteria (?)
Hillsborough Davis Island 6/14 6/19 Bacteria (?)
Lee Bowman’s Beach 9/20 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Lee Tarpon Bay Road Beach 9/20 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Lee Turner Beach/Blind Pass Beach 9/20 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Levy Cedar Key Beach 1/23 2/27 Bacteria (?)
Manatee Bay Front Park North 9/20 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Manatee Palma Sola South 1/30 2/6 Bacteria (?)
Manatee Palma Sola South 6/13 7/17 Bacteria (?)
Miami-Dade Crandon Park-Key Biscayne 8/8 8/9 Bacteria (?)
Miami-Dade Matheson Hammock 7/13 7/16 Bacteria (?)
Miami-Dade South Beach Park 1/4 1/5 Bacteria (?)
Miami-Dade Sunny Isles Beach-Pier Park 6/20 6/22 Bacteria (?)
Miami-Dade Sunny Isles Beach-Pier Park 2/27 3/6 Bacteria (?)
Miami-Dade Surfside Beach - 93rd Street 1/17 1/19 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Anne’s Beach 4/11 4/18 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Bahia Honda Bayside 10/3 10/10 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Bahia Honda Bayside 8/28 9/5 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Bahia Honda Oceanside 7/11 7/18 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Bahia Honda Sandspur 7/11 7/18 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Coco Plum Beach 1/17 1/24 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Curry Hammock 8/28 9/12 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Founder’s Park Beach 5/30 6/5 Bacteria (?)


Monroe Ft. Zachary Taylor 8/28 9/12 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Ft. Zachary Taylor 10/10 10/17 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Harry Harris County Park 8/28 9/12 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Higgs Beach 2/28 3/7 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Islamorada Public Library 8/22 9/12 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Islamorada Public Library 9/19 9/27 Bacteria (?)
Monroe John Pennekamp State Park Cannon Beach 3/28 4/11 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Simonton Beach 3/28 4/4 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Smathers Beach 1/17 1/24 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Sombrero Beach 8/28 9/5 Bacteria (?)
Monroe South Beach 10/24 11/14 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Veteran’s Beach 8/28 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Nassau Jasmine Street 1/25 2/1 Bacteria (?)
Nassau Simmons Road 4/12 4/19 Bacteria (?)
Nassau South End 11/21 11/29 Bacteria (?)
Nassau South End 1/4 1/11 Bacteria (?)
Okaloosa Brackin Wayside 11/20 11/27 Bacteria (?)
Okaloosa Camp Timpoochee 1/17 1/23 Bacteria (?)


Okaloosa East Pass 6/12 6/19 Bacteria (?)
Okaloosa East Pass 8/7 8/14 Bacteria (?)
Okaloosa Garniers 5/15 5/22 Bacteria (?)
Okaloosa Gulf Island National Seashore 10/16 10/23 Bacteria (?)
Okaloosa Henderson State Park Beach 9/18 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Okaloosa Lincoln Park 5/15 5/22 Bacteria (?)
Okaloosa Liza Jackson Park 6/5 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Okaloosa Marlers Park 6/12 6/19 Bacteria (?)
Okaloosa Poquito Park 9/18 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Okaloosa Rocky Bayou (Fred Gannon State Park) 5/15 5/22 Bacteria (?)
Palm Beach Phil Foster Park 1/17 1/23 Bacteria (?)
Pasco Brasher Park Beach 9/11 9/18 Bacteria (?)
Pasco Energy And Marine Center 4/17 4/24 Bacteria (?)


Pasco Gulf Harbors Beach 12/26 12/31 Bacteria (?)
Pasco Gulf Harbors Beach 9/18 9/25 Bacteria (?)
Pasco Oelsner Park Beach 5/8 5/15 Bacteria (?)
Pasco Robert J. Strickland 6/5 6/14 Bacteria (?)
Pasco Robert K. Rees Park Beach 1/31 2/6 Bacteria (?)
Pinellas Courtney Campbell Causeway 9/21 9/26 Bacteria (?)
Pinellas Courtney Campbell Causeway 10/19 10/24 Bacteria (?)
Sarasota Blind Pass Beach 9/20 9/22 Bacteria (?)
Sarasota Brohard Beach 9/20 9/22 Bacteria (?)
Sarasota Venice Fishing Pier 9/20 9/22 Bacteria (?)
Taylor Cedar Island 4/3 4/10 Bacteria (?)
Taylor Dekle Beach 4/3 4/10 Bacteria (?)
Taylor Hagen’s Cove 4/3 4/10 Bacteria (?)


Taylor Keaton Beach 4/3 4/10 Bacteria (?)
Volusia Florida Shores Blvd 1/24 1/26 Bacteria (?)
Volusia International Speedway, Daytona Beach 1/24 1/26 Bacteria (?)
Volusia Silver Beach, Daytona Beach 1/24 1/26 Bacteria (?)
Wakulla Mash Island 1/1 1/23 Bacteria (?)
Wakulla Mash Island 7/31 10/31 Bacteria (?)
Wakulla Shell Point Beach 4/17 4/24 Bacteria (?)
Walton Choctaw Beach County Park 4/25 5/1 Bacteria (?)
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; (?), unknown.
Notes
1 NOAA, Current Participation Patterns in Marine Recreation, November 2001.
2 David Polk, Florida Department of Health, personal communication, July 2007.

Georgia
The Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources administers Georgia’s beach monitor-
ing and notification program. Georgia has 41 beaches that cover 118 miles along the Atlantic Coast and its barrier islands
in Camden, Glynn, McIntosh, Liberty, and Chatham Counties.1 More than two-thirds of the beaches are monitored,
and most of the monitored beaches are sampled year-
round. Monitored beaches are found in Chatham, Glynn,
and McIntosh counties. Beaches that are not monitored samples exceeding the state standard
year-round are sampled from April through November. decreased to 4 percent in 2006 from
Drought conditions existed for the 2006 swim season.
9 percent in 2005.
Although the Health Department can issue a closing in the
case of an immediate threat to public health, such as a sewage spill,1 only advisories were issued in 2006, with no clos-
ings. The spring months of March, April, and May were the busiest time of year for advisories, with the most advisories
issued for Jekyll St. Andrews and Jekyll Clam Creek beaches.1 An attempt to restore oyster reefs in these two areas is
being made and it is hoped that the restored reefs will lead to lower bacteria levels in the water.1
Georgia received a $286,200 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006, and is eligible for a grant of $287,200 in 2007.
Tourism contributes $15.4 billion to the state’s economy, generating 211,800 jobs.
Standards and Testing

Standards: The BEACH Act–required standards for ocean and bay waters are an enterococcus single-sample maximum
of 104 cfu/100 ml and a geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml. In Georgia, if either standard is exceeded, an advisory is is-
sued.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Resources Division began monitoring beachwater during the
2003 swim season. That year, they monitored for fecal coliform because the regulatory standards for marine swimming
in Georgia are based on fecal coliform. Starting in 2004 with the BEACH Act, Georgia began monitoring beachwater
for enterococcus. During the 2004 swim season, they also monitored for fecal coliform. However, during this year, they
noted that fecal coliform was not necessarily found in samples that contained enterococcus, presumably because fecal coli
form is more quickly destroyed in marine waters than enterococcus. Georgia has monitored solely for enterococcus since
2005. Georgia conducts a review of their standards triennially and may revise their water quality rules so that they are
aligned with the federal standards during the next review.
Georgia has no preemptive advisory standards but permanent advisories are issued for beaches that have ongoing
water quality issues; Kings Ferry was under permanent advisory in 2006.1
Monitoring
Frequency: In 2006, Georgia monitored 28 beaches covering 52 miles of coastline.1 Forty-six percent (19) of the state’s
41 beaches were monitored once a week, 22 percent (9) were monitored once a month, and 32 percent (13) were not
monitored. Beaches that are assigned Tier 1 status have large populations nearby, have tourist accommodations, are easily
accessible, and have the most amenities. Tier 2 beaches are less accessible and have a smaller nearby population. All Tier
1 and 2 beaches were monitored in 2006. Tier 3 beaches are the most remote beaches in uninhabited areas, and were not
monitored in 2006.1
Practice: Samples are taken in about 3 feet of water (from wavetop) at a depth of 15–30 cm. Samples are generally taken
in the morning in order to reach the laboratory in time to be processed that day, so that results are available the next day.
Sampling occurs Monday through Thursday.
GA.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Georgia’s
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were St. Andrews Picnic Area (Jekyll) (22%), fol-
lowed by Jekyll Clam Creek (11%), and 12th St. Goulds Inlet (SSI) (7%), all in Glynn County.
Fifty-nine percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Mcintosh
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (100%), followed by Chatham (67%), and Glynn
(50%). The table below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all
beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Frequency Samples Exceedances
Chatham Tybee Island Polk St. 1 1/wk 54 6%
Chatham Tybee Island Strand 1 1/wk 51 4%
Chatham Tybee Island South 1 1/wk 50 2%
Chatham Bradley (Ossabaw) 2 1/mo 7 0%
Chatham Kings Ferry 2 4/yr 4 0%
Chatham Skidaway Narrows 2 1/mo 6 0%
Chatham South Ossabaw 2 1/mo 7 0%
Chatham Tybee Island Middle 1 1/wk 49 0%
Chatham Tybee Island North 1 1/wk 49 0%
Glynn Blythe Island Regional Park Sandbar 2 1/mo 15 33%
Glynn St. Andrews Picnic Area (Jekyll) 1 1/wk 67 22%
Glynn Reimolds Pasture (Little Ssi) 2 1/mo 10 20%
Glynn Sea Island South 2 1/mo 9 11%
Glynn Jekyll Clam Creek 1 1/wk 57 11%
Glynn 12 St. Goulds Inlet (Ssi) 1 1/wk 57 7%
Glynn East Beach Old Coast Guard (Ssi) 1 1/wk 51 2%
Glynn St. Simons Island Lighthouse 1 1/wk 54 2%
Glynn 5th St. Crossover (Ssi) 1 1/wk 50 0%
Glynn 4h Camp (Jekyll) 1 1/wk 49 0%
Glynn Capt. Wylly (Jekyll) Near Beachview 1 1/wk 49 0%
Glynn Convention Center (Jekyll) 1 1/wk 49 0%
Glynn Jekyll North At Dexter Lane 1 1/wk 49 0%
Glynn Massengale (Ssi) 1 1/wk 50 0%
Glynn Sea Island North 2 1/mo 8 0%
Glynn South Dunes (Jekyll) 1 1/wk 49 0%
Mcintosh Contentment Bluff Sandbar 2 1/mo 8 0%
Mcintosh Dallas Bluff Sandbar 2 1/mo 8 0%

Georgia issued 31 beach advisories in 2006 and no closings. Swimming advisory days for events lasting six consecutive
weeks or less decreased 62 percent from 528 in 2005 to 203 in 2006. This decrease was due at least in part to drought
conditions that existed during 2006. There were fewer extended and permanent beach closings and advisories in 2006
than in 2005 as well, with two extended events and one permanent event in 2006 compared to three extended events and
one permanent event in 2005. Advisories at Georgia’s 17 Tier 1 beaches increased from 354 days in 2004 to 500 days in
2005, then decreased to 135 days in 2006. During the 2004 to 2006 period over which this overall decrease in advisory
days occurred, the overall monitoring frequency at these beaches was steady.
Closing and Advisory Issuance: When either of the BEACH Act–required standards is exceeded, the Coastal Resources
Division notifies the Georgia Division of Public Health and the local health districts. The local health district issues an
advisory and posts signs at the beach. The public is notified within 24 hours. No other factors are taken into account be-
fore issuing an advisory, and resampling to confirm an exceedance is not done before an advisory is issued. Entire beaches
are placed under advisory, not sections of beach. Monitoring results and advisories are posted on the department’s website
and on Earth911.org. In addition, the media is notified and e-mail alerts are sent when an advisory occurs.1
Reopening Procedures: The monitoring frequency for a beach increases when an exceedance occurs: for a Tier 1 beach
under advisory, the beach is resampled the following day (the day after the lab results are received) and then twice weekly
until the bacteria levels drop below the threshold level. For Tier 2 beaches under advisory, the beach is re-sampled weekly
until the bacteria levels drop. When both the geometric mean and the single-sample maximum are within the BEACH
Act–required standards, the local health district drops the advisory.1
Causes of Closings and Advisories: All advisory days for events lasting six consecutive weeks or less in 2006 were due to
monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels from unknown sources.
2006 Georgia Coastal Beach Closings/Advisories

Chatham Kings Ferry 1/1 12/31 Bacteria (?)
Chatham Tybee Island Polk St. 1/11 1/18 Bacteria (?)
Chatham Tybee Island South 9/7 9/9 Bacteria (?)
Chatham Tybee Island Strand 1/25 1/27 Bacteria (?)
Chatham Tybee Island Strand 3/29 3/31 Bacteria (?)
Glynn 12 St. Goulds Inlet (Ssi) 3/29 3/31 Bacteria (?)
Glynn Blythe Island Regional Park Sandbar 7/18 7/28 Bacteria (?)
Glynn East Beach Old Coast Guard (Ssi) 3/8 3/10 Bacteria (?)
Glynn Jekyll Clam Creek 1/4 1/13 Bacteria (?)


Glynn Reimolds Pasture (Little Ssi) 5/11 5/24 Bacteria (?)
Glynn Sea Island South 5/3 5/5 Bacteria (?)
Glynn St. Andrews Picnic Area (Jekyll) 1/4 3/1 Bacteria (?)
Glynn St. Simons Island Lighthouse 4/26 5/5 Bacteria (?)
Glynn St. Simons Island Lighthouse 5/10 5/19 Bacteria (?)
Notes
1 Elizabeth Cheney, Beach Water Quality Manager, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, personal communication, May 2007.

Hawaii
Hawaii has more than 400 public beaches stretching along nearly 300 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline. The Clean Water
Branch of the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) runs a statewide beachwater-quality monitoring program. The
monitoring season in this tropical state is year-round,
and nearly a third of the beaches, representing beaches For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of
in all four of Hawaii’s counties, are monitored. Hawaii’s samples exceeding the state standard
Department of Health does not have the authority to close decreased to 3 percent in 2006 from
beaches; instead, they issue advisories that are associated
with storm water runoff and post warnings that are associ- 4 percent in 2005.
ated with high indicator counts, known sewage spills, or evidence of sewage spills. Hawaii uses beach monitoring data
as evidence of sewer leaks and if indicator counts are continuously high, they search for the source of the discharge and
remedy it.
In Hawaii, 2006 will be remembered as the Year of Rain. For 42 days, Oahu endured nonstop rain that caused sewer
manholes to overflow and contributed to the break of the beachwalk force main in Waikiki. In March of 2006, there were
as many as 16 sewer overflows happening at the same time. These nonstop heavy rains resulted in a 48 million gallon spill
into the Ala Wai Canal. Most warnings in 2006 occurred on Oahu in the spring and were due to this large rain event.1
Hawaii received a $323,020 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $323,660 grant in 2007. An addi-
tional $719,552 in state funds was spent in 2006 to support nine people.2 Tourism contributes $11.4 billion to the state’s
economy, generating 183,800 jobs.

Indicator Organisms: Enterococcus and Clostridium perfringens
of 104 cfu/100 ml and a geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml. Hawaii’s standards for enterococcus in 2006 were stricter
than this with a single-sample maximum of 100 cfu/100 ml and a geometric mean of 7 cfu/100 ml. The geometric mean
standard is applied in most cases, while the single-sample maximum standard is only meant to be used by beach managers
who were able to sample only a few times a month. While its standards are stricter than federal standards, Hawaii does
not rely on enterococcus levels alone when determining whether to post a warning at a beach. Because of studies that
show that enterococcus replicates in biofilm and in sand, the Department of Health has concluded that when enterococ-
cus is found in near-shore waters, it may indicate contamination from the soil rather than sewage pollution. Therefore,
for both marine water and freshwater, the state also measures levels of Clostridia perfringens, which is another bacteria
found at high concentrations in human feces. In 2006, Hawaii’s “level of warning” for Clostridia was 5 cfu/100 ml.2
Hawaii’s water quality rules have yet to be updated, but attempts to begin this process are being made. The state is
going to increase the geometric mean standard for Enterococcus to be in line with the EPA standard and is currently using
50 cfu/100 ml as the level of warning for Clostridia.2
Preemptive rainfall advisories are issued when rains are unusually heavy or when a flood warning issued by the
National Weather Service indicates that there will be a discharge of significant quantities of turbid storm waters into
coastal areas. These preemptive rainfall advisories, called “Brown Water Advisories,” can be issued statewide, island-wide,
or to specific areas of one island.
Monitoring
Frequency: Hawaii monitored 30 percent (131) of its 428 coastal beaches in 2006. The monitored beaches represent
about 109 miles of coastline.
HDOH divides beaches into three tiers, based on the risk of illness to swimmers and the frequency of use. Tier 1
beaches are Hawaii’s important and threatened beaches and are monitored year-round. Groups of Tier 2 beaches are
HI.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

sampled weekly for six-month periods until all Tier 2 beaches have been sampled. After the six-month period, data are
evaluated to determine if any Tier 2 beach needs continued monitoring. If the data suggests that a Tier 2 beach requires
continued monitoring, the monitoring will continue for another six months or the beach will be upgraded to Tier 1
classification. A Tier 1 beach can also be lowered to a Tier 2 classification based on bacteria counts and the degree of rec-
reational use. In 2006, Hawaii’s 52 Tier 1 beaches were monitored twice weekly year-round and 79 Tier 2 beaches were
sampled weekly for six months out of the year. Tier 3 beaches have low bacteria counts, limited recreational use, or dif-
ficult access and receive no further monitoring except for a review of status each year.
Practice: Samples are taken in the morning a foot below the surface in water that is knee to waist deep. Sampling results
are known 24 hours after sampling. Samples are generally taken on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.2
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Hawaii’s
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Kualoa Beach Park in Honolulu County and
West of Lydgate Park Wading Pool in Kauai County (14%), followed by Kuhio Beach in Honolulu County (12%),
Honolii Cove (Ocean) in Hawaii County (10%), and Waimea Bay in Honolulu (10%).
Fifty-six percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Hawaii County
had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (68%), followed by Honolulu (56%), Maui (50%), and Kauai

County Beach Total Samples Percent Exceedance
Hawaii Banyan’s Surfing Area 23 22%
Hawaii Honolii Cove (Ocean) 77 10%

Hawaii Hilo Bay (Canoe Beach) 77 5%
Hawaii Puhi Bay #3 22 5%
Hawaii Punaluu 22 5%
Hawaii Hilo Bay (Boat Landing) 23 4%
Hawaii Hilo Bay (Lighthouse) 23 4%
Hawaii Keaukaha Beach-4 Miles 77 4%
Hawaii Pualaa Beach Park 76 3%
Hawaii Richardson Ocean Center 77 1%
Hawaii Coconut Island 2 0%
Hawaii Laupahoehoe Point (Boat Ramp) 23 0%
Hawaii Onekahakaha Beach-Swimming Area 77 0%
Hawaii Pohoiki 1 0%
Hawaii Puhi Bay #2 15 0%
Hawaii Richardson Ocean Center (Hilo Side Beach) 22 0%
Hawaii Vacationland 8 0%
Hawaii Hapuna Beach 8 0%
Hawaii Kahaluu Beach 31 0%
Hawaii Kailua Pier A-1 32 0%


Hawaii Kailua Pier Station D 31 0%
Hawaii Magic Sands Beach 11 0%
Hawaii Puako Beach Lots-Boat Ramp 8 0%
Hawaii Puako Beach Lots-Middle Of Lot 8 0%
Hawaii Spencer Park Beach 8 0%
Hawaii Old Kona Airport 9 0%
Hawaii Anaehoomalu Bay 29 0%
Hawaii Y 9 0%
Hawaii Mauna Kea South 7 0%
Hawaii Honaunau Bay - 2 Step 9 0%
Hawaii Honaunau Bay - Boat Ramp 11 0%
Honolulu Laenani Park 8 25%
Honolulu Makaua Beach 8 25%
Honolulu Waimanalo Gulch 8 25%
Honolulu Aukai Beach 10 20%
Honolulu Pounders 11 18%
Honolulu Kaunala Beach 11 18%
Honolulu Lanikai Beach 7 14%
Honolulu Maunalua Beach Park 7 14%
Honolulu Swanzy Beach Park 7 14%
Honolulu Kualoa Beach Park 81 14%
Honolulu Kuliouou Park Beach 8 13%
Honolulu Paiko Beach 8 13%
Honolulu Mokuleia At Kiapoko 8 13%
Honolulu Kaena Point 8 13%
Honolulu Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor 8 13%
Honolulu Kuhio Beach 83 12%
Honolulu Niu Beach 9 11%
Honolulu Waimea Bay 78 10%
Honolulu Fort Derussy Beach 10 10%
Honolulu Kawela Bay 10 10%
Honolulu Kaipapau Beach 10 10%
Honolulu Kokee Beach Park 11 9%
Honolulu Kaneohe Bay At Kualoa 11 9%
Honolulu Ohikilolo 11 9%
Honolulu Puuohulu Beach 11 9%
Honolulu Manners 11 9%
Honolulu Sunset Beach 78 5%
Honolulu Waialae-Kahala Beach 80 5%
Honolulu Royal-Moana Beach 85 5%
Honolulu Kailua Park Beach 81 4%
Honolulu Waimanalo Beach 81 4%


Honolulu Magic Island Lagoon 82 4%
Honolulu Ala Moana Park Center 65 3%
Honolulu Ala Moana Park Ewa End 37 3%
Honolulu Malaekahana Beach Park 78 3%
Honolulu Makapuu Beach 63 2%
Honolulu Sand Island Point #2 75 1%
Honolulu Maili Beach Park 75 1%
Honolulu Nanakuli Beach Park 75 1%
Honolulu Kahanamoku Beach 79 1%
Honolulu Sandy Beach Point #1 81 1%
Honolulu Hanauma Bay 82 1%
Honolulu Ala Moana Park Diamond Head End 77 0%
Honolulu Kahanamoku Lagoon-Diamond Head 2 0%
Honolulu Gray’s Beach 6 0%
Honolulu Tavern Beach 10 0%
Honolulu Public Bath Beach 64 0%
Honolulu Mokuleia 7 0%
Honolulu Haleiwa Beach Park 2 0%
Honolulu Kaaawa Park 3 0%
Honolulu Makaha 75 0%
Honolulu Ewa Beach Park 38 0%
Honolulu Chun’s Reef 57 0%
Honolulu Pokai Bay (Shoreline) 75 0%
Honolulu Waimanalo State Park 9 0%
Honolulu Sans Souci Beach 83 0%
Honolulu Hawaii Kai 1 0%
Honolulu Camp Erdman 7 0%
Honolulu Point Panic 11 0%
Honolulu Keehi Lagoon Park 7 0%
Honolulu Tongg’s 1 0%
Honolulu Kawaikui Beach Park 1 0%
Honolulu Kanenelu Beach 1 0%
Honolulu Kalae O’io Beach Park 1 0%
Honolulu Kaluanui Beach 1 0%
Honolulu Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park 12 0%
Honolulu Maipalaoa Beach 1 0%
Honolulu Ulehewa Beach 1 0%
Honolulu Mauna Lahilahi Beach Park 1 0%
Honolulu Kokololio 1 0%
Honolulu Kuilei Cliffs 9 0%
Honolulu Kaluahole Beach 9 0%
Honolulu Outrigger 12 0%


Honolulu Halona Cove 7 0%
Honolulu Koko Kai Beach Park 10 0%
Honolulu Turtle Bay 11 0%
Honolulu Pupukea At Shark’s Cove 7 0%
Honolulu Ehukai 11 0%
Honolulu Kawailoa Beach 7 0%
Honolulu Ihilani Naia 9 0%
Honolulu Ihilani Honu 9 0%
Honolulu Ewa Beach Residential 9 0%
Honolulu Keaau Beach 11 0%
Honolulu Kahala At Kala Place 8 0%
Honolulu Wawamalu Beach 7 0%
Honolulu Kualoa Sugar Mill Beach 7 0%
Honolulu Makao Beach 7 0%
Honolulu Laniloa Beach 10 0%
Honolulu Kaihalulu Beach 10 0%
Honolulu Pipeline 8 0%
Honolulu Kealia Beach 8 0%
Honolulu Laukinui Beach 8 0%
Honolulu Papaoneone Beach 8 0%
Honolulu Ihilani Ulua 8 0%
Honolulu Oneawa Beach 1 0%
Honolulu Brennecke Beach 7 0%
Kauai Hanalei River (End Of Weke Road) 2 100%
Kauai Koloa Landing 16 50%
Kauai Nawiwili Harbor-Coast Guard Pier 16 25%
Kauai Waimea Bay 4 25%
Kauai Kalapaki Beach (Middle) 86 15%
Kauai West Of Lydgate Park Wading Pool 83 14%
Kauai North End Of Wailua Beach 23 9%
Kauai Polihale Beach 15 7%
Kauai Hanalei Bay Pavilion 42 5%
Kauai Keoniloa Bay 23 4%
Kauai Hanapepe Salt Pond 86 3%
Kauai Poipu Beach Pavilion 86 1%
Kauai Haena Beach 1 0%
Kauai Hanalei Bay Landing 2 0%
Kauai Waimea Bay Beach (Near River) 3 0%
Kauai Waipouli Beach 23 0%
Kauai Nukolii Beach 7 0%
Kauai Waioli Beach Park 2 0%
Kauai Kee Beach 1 0%


Kauai Lawai Beach Resort 1 0%
Kauai Barking Sands 1 0%
Maui Hookipa 5 20%
Maui Kalama Beach 18 6%
Maui Mai Ponia Oe Iau 19 5%
Maui Kanaha Beach Park 79 5%
Maui Kihei (South) 78 4%
Maui Hukilau Hotel Shoreline 79 4%
Maui Hanakaoo Beach Park 77 3%
Maui Maalea Condo 78 3%
Maui Kamaole Beach #1 78 1%
Maui Kamaole Beach #3 52 0%
Maui H.A. Baldwin Park 16 0%
Maui Wailea Beach 78 0%
Maui Launiupoko Wayside Park 76 0%
Maui Airport (Kahekili) Beach 5 0%
Maui Puunoa (Baby) Beach 21 0%
Maui Spreckelsville Beach 79 0%
Maui Kihei Landing 16 0%
Maui Polo Beach 17 0%
Not Applicable Kaalawai Beach 9 0%
Warnings and Advisories

Hawaii issued 1,073 rain advisories and posted 32 warnings in 2006. Total advisory and warning days for events lasting
six consecutive weeks or less at Hawaii’s beaches tripled to 6,507 in 2006 from 2,228 in 2005. This increase is primarily
due to unusually heavy rains in 2006 that resulted in a high number of rain advisory days; the number of warning days
due to elevated bacterial levels decreased from 2005 to 2006. There were two extended and two permanent advisory and
warning events in Hawaii in 2006 compared to none in 2005. Warnings and advisories at Hawaii’s 47 Tier 1 beaches
increased from 158 days in 2004 to 246 days in 2005, then increased again to 694 days in 2006. A small increase in the
monitoring frequency at Tier 1 beaches was observed during the time period over which this dramatic increase in warn-
ing and advisory days occurred.
Warning/Advisory Issuance: Hawaii’s standard for enterococcus is one of the strictest in the nation, but the Depart
ment of Health does not always post a warning if the standard has been exceeded. A warning is posted when the
geometric mean is exceeded and the Clostridia count exceeds its level of action and if the exceedances are not expected
to be due to weather-related issues. Warnings are also posted if there is a confirmed sewage spill or other evidence
of human fecal contamination. For weather-related issues, a Brown Water Advisory is issued. Information about
warnings and advisories is disseminated via a telephone hotline, email, signs, and the media. Depending on the size of
the beach, warnings and advisories could be issued for a section of beach, for a whole beach, or even beyond the beach’s
boundaries.
Reopening Procedures: If a warning for a beach is posted due to a known sewage spill, daily monitoring is conducted
until the beach is reopened.2

Causes of Warnings and Advisories: In 2006, 96 percent (6,272) of warning and advisory days for events lasting six con-
secutive weeks or less were preemptive rain advisories, 3 percent (166) were preemptive sewer warnings, and 1 percent
(69) were warnings due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels from stormwater.
2006 Hawaii Closings

Hawaii 2nd Beach (Next To Mahaiula) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Anaeho’omalu Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Analani Pond (Puala’a) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Apua 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Banyan’s Surfing Area 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Cape Kumukahi 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Coconut Island Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Green Sand Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Hakalau Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Halape Shelter 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Hapuna Beach St. Rec. Area 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Hawaiian Beaches Co. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Hawaiian Paradise Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater

Hawaii Heeia 3/3 3/13 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Hawaii Heeia 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Hilo Bayfront 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Honokane Iki 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Honokane Nui 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Honokea 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Honokohau Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Honoli’i Beach Co. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Honolulu Landing 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Honomalino Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Honopue 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Ho’okena 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Ice Pond (Single Point) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Isaac Hale Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii James Kealoha Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Hawaii Ka Lae (South Point) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Ka’alu’alu Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kahuwai Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Ka’iliki’i 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kalahiki Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kalapana Beach (New) (Harry K. Brown
Hawaii 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Beach Co. Pk.)
Beach Co. Pk.)
Beach Co. Pk.)
Hawaii Kalu’e Pt. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kaluhika’a Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kamakaokahonu 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kamehame Hill 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kamoa Pt. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kapa’a Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kapoho Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Hawaii Kapoho Tidepools (Vacationland) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kapu’a Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kauna’oa Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Ka’upulehu 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kawa Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kawaihae Harbor 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kea’au 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Keahou Bay (Kona) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kealia Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Keaukaha Beach Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Keawaiki 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Ke’ei 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kehena 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Keokea Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Hawaii Kiholo Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kolekole Beach Co. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Kuki’o 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Lapakahi St. Hist. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Laupahoehoe Beach Co. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Lehia Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Leleiwi Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Mackenzie State Rec. Area 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Mahai’ula Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Mahukona Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Makalawena 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Makole’a Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Manini Point Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Manini’owali 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Hawaii Manuka Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Mauna Lani (Kalahuipua’a) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Mau’umae Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Miloli’i Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Nanawale Co. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Napo’apo’o Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Ninole 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Old Kona Airport (Pawai) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Onekahakaha Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Onomea 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Pahoehoe Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Paiahaa 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Papa’i (King’s Landing) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Pine Trees 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Hawaii Pohoiki Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Pohue Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Pololu Valley 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Puako 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Pueo Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Punalu’u 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Pu’u Hou 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Pu’uhonua Pt. (Pu’u O Honaunau) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Radio Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Reeds Bay Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Road To The Sea 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Spencer Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Wai’ahukini 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Waialea Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Hawaii Waimanu Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Waipi’o Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Wawaloli Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii White Sands Beach Co. Pk. (Magic Sands) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Hawaii Whittington Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ala Moana Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Aukai Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Banzai 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Barbers Point Beach Co. Pk. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Bellows Field Beach Co. Pk. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Camp Harold Erdman 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Chun’s Reef 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Diamond Head 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ehukai Beach Co. Pk. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ewa Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ewa Plantation Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Fort Derussy Beach 3/29 4/4 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Honolulu Fort Derussy Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Fort Derussy Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Fort Hase Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Fort Kamehameha Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Gray’s Beach 4/2 4/4 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Honolulu Gray’s Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Hale’iwa Ali’i Beach Co. Pk. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Hale’iwa Beach Co. Pk. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Halona Blowhole 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Hanaka’ilio Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Hanauma Bay 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Hau’ula Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Hawaiian Electric Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu He’eia 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Honolulu Hickam Harbor Beach 3/24 5/26 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Honolulu Ihilani Honu 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ihilani Kohola 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ihilani Naia 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ihilani Ulua 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Iroquois Pt. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ka’a’awa Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ka’alawai Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ka’ena Pt. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kahala 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kahala Hilton Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kahana Bay 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kahanamoku Beach 3/29 4/4 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Honolulu Kahanamoku Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kahe Pt. Beach Co. Pk. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kahuku Golf Course 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kaiaka 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kaihalulu Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kailua Beach 2/24 3/2 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Honolulu Kailua Beach 3/26 4/18 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kailua Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kaiona Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kaipapa’u Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kakaako Waterfront 3/31 4/4 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Honolulu Kakaako Waterfront 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kalae’o’io Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kalama Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kalaniana’ole Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kaloko (Queens) Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kaluahole Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kaluanui Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kanenelu Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kane’ohe Bay 2/24 3/2 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Honolulu Kane’ohe Bay 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Honolulu Kapaeloa Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kapi’olani Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kaunala Beach 3/9 3/16 Bacteria Stormwater
Honolulu Kaunala Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kaupo Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kawaiku’i Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kawailoa Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kawela Bay 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kea’au Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kealia Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ke’ehi Lagoon 4/1 4/7 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Honolulu Ke’ehi Lagoon 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Koke’e Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Koko Kai Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kokololio Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kualoa Co. Regional Park 1/1 5/23 Bacteria (?)
Honolulu Kualoa Co. Regional Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kualoa Sugar Mill Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kuhio Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kuilima Cove 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Kuli’ou’ou 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Laenani Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Laie Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Laniakea Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Lanikai 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Laniloa Peninsula (Beach) 3/8 6/20 Bacteria Stormwater
Honolulu Laniloa Peninsula (Beach) 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Laukinui Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Lualualei Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Magic Island Beach 3/27 4/7 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Honolulu Magic Island Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Magic Island East 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ma’ili Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Maipalaoa Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Makaha Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Makao Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Makapu’u Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Makaua Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Makua Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Malaekahana Bay 3/8 3/20 Bacteria Stormwater
Honolulu Malaekahana Bay 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Honolulu Manner’s Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Mauna Lahilahi Beach Co. Pk. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Maunalua Bay 3/31 4/5 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Honolulu Maunalua Bay 4/1 4/11 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Honolulu Maunalua Bay 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Maunalua Bay Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Moku’auia Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Mokule’ia Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Mokule’ia Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Nanaikapono Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Nanakuli Beach Co. Pk. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Nimitz Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Niu 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu North Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ohikilolo Beach(Barking Sands) 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Oneawa Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu One’ula Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Outrigger Canoe Club Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Pahipahi’alua Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Paiko Lagoon 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Papa’iloa Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Papaoneone Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Pearl Harbor - Middle Loch 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Pipeline, The 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Point Panic Beach Park 3/31 4/4 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Honolulu Point Panic Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Poka’i Bay Beach Co. Pk. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Pounders Beach 3/9 3/16 Bacteria Stormwater
Honolulu Pounders Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Punalu’u Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Pupukea Beach Co. Pk. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Pu’uiki 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Pu’uohulu Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Queen’s Surf Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Royal-Moana Beach 4/2 4/4 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Honolulu Royal-Moana Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Sand Island 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Sandy Beach Co. Park 3/8 3/22 Bacteria Stormwater
Honolulu Sandy Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Sans Souci St. Rec. Area 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Sunset Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Swanzy Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Honolulu Tongg’s Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Turtle Bay 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Ulehawa Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Waiahole Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Wai’alae Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Waiale’e 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Wai’anae Kai Military Reservation Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Wai’anae Regional Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Waikiki Beach Center 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Wailupe Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Waimanalo Bay St. Rec. Area 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Waimanalo Beach 3/3 3/13 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Honolulu Waimanalo Beach 3/26 4/17 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Waimanalo Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Waimanalo Beach Co. Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Waimea Bay Beach Co. Pk. 3/8 4/6 Bacteria Stormwater
Honolulu Waimea Bay Beach Co. Pk. 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu War Memorial Natatorium 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Wawamalu Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu White Plains Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Honolulu Yokohama Bay 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Ahukini Rec. Pier St. Pk. 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Aliomanu Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Anahola Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Anini Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Beach House Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Kauai Black Pot Beach Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Brennecke Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Donkey Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Gillin’s Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Glass Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Ha’ena Beach Co. Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Hanakapi’ai Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Hanalei Beach Co. Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Kauai Hanama’ulu Beach Co. Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Haula Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kahili Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kalalau Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kalapaki Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kalihiwai Bay 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kapa’a Beach Co. Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kaupea Beach (Secret Beach) 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Kauai Kawailoa Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kealia 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Ke’e Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kekaha Beach Co. Pk. 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kepuhi Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kikiaola Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kilauea Pt. Nat. Wildlife Ref. 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Kipu Kai 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Koloa Landing 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Kauai Kukui’ula Bay 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Larsens Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Lawa’i Kai 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Lucy Wright Beach Co. Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Lumaha’i Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Lydgate State Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Maha’ulepu Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Miloli’i 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Kauai Moloa’a Bay 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Na Pali Coast State Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Ninini Pt. 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Niumalu Beach Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Nu’alolo 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Nukoli’i Beach Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Pacific Missile Range Facility 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Pakala (Makaweli) 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Palama Beach (Nomilu) 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Kauai Papa’a Bay 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Pila’a Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Po’ipu Beach Co. Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Polihale State Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Port Allen 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Prince Kuhio Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Princeville 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Salt Pond Beach Co. Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Kauai Sheraton Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Shipwreck Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Spouting Horn Beach Co. Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Tunnels Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Wahiawa Bay 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Waiakalua Iki Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Waiakalua Nui Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Waikoko Bay 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Kauai Wailua Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Waimea Rec. Pier St. Pk. 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Wainiha Bay 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Wai’ohai Beach 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Wai’oli Beach Park 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kauai Waipouli 3/20 3/27 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Ahihi-Kina’u Natural Area Reserve 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Alaeloa Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Awahua Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Awalua Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Fagans Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Father Jules Papa 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Maui Fleming Beach North 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui H.P. Baldwin Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Halawa Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Halena Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Halepalaoa Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Hamoa 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Hana Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Hanaka’o’o Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Honokeana Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Honokohau Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Honokowai Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Honolua Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Honomanu Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Honouli Malo’o 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Honouli Wai 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Ho’okipa Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui H-Poko Papa 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Maui Huakini Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Hulopo’e Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Iliopi’i Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Ka’anapali 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kahalepohaku Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kahalui Harbor 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kahana 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kahemano Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kaihalulu Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Ka’ili’ili Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kakahai’a Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kalama Beach Co. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kalepolepo Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kamaka’ipo Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kama’ole Beach 1 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kama’ole Beach 2 (Ili’iliholo Beach) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kanaha Beach Co. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Maui Kanaio Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kanalukaha Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kapalua (Fleming’s) Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kapoli Beach Co. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kapukahehu Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kapukuwahine Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kaunala Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kaunolu Bay 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kaupoa Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kawa’aloa Bay 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kawakiu Bay (Nui) 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kea’a Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Ke’anae 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Keawakapu Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Keomuku Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Keonenui Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kepuhi Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kiowea Park (Kamehameha Coconut
Maui 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Grove)
Maui Koki Beach Park (Vfw) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kolo Wharf 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Ku’au Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Kuiaha Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Maui La Perouse Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Launiupoko St. Wayside 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Leho’ula Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Lighthouse Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Lopa Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Lower Pa’ia 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Ma’alaea Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Mai Poina Oe Lau Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Maka’alae Pt. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Makena Landing Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Maliko Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Malu’aka Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Manele Bay 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Mantokuji Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Mcgregor Pt. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Mokapu Beach Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Maui Mokulau 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Mokule’ia Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Mo’omomi Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Murphy Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Naha Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Nahiku 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Napili Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Nu’u Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Olowalu 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Oneali’i Beach Park 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Oneloa Beach (Big Beach) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Oneuli Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Palauea Beach Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Papalaua 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Papaloa Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Papohaku Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Paukukalo Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Pelekunu 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Maui Pepeiaolepo Bay 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Pohaku Mauliuli Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Polihua Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Polo Beach Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Po’olau Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Po’olenalena Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Po’olenalena Beach Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Puamana Beach Co. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Puko’o 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Punalau 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Pu’u Ola’i (Small Beach) 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Pu’u Pehe Cove 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Pu’unoa Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Sandy Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Shipwreck Beach 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Spreckelsville 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Ukumehame Beach Co. Pk. 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Ulua Beach Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Wahikuli State Wayside Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Maui Wai’anapanapa State Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Waiehu Beach Co. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Waihe’e Beach Co. Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Waikoloa Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Wailau 11/1 11/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Wailea Beach Park 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Maui Waimaha’ihai Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Preempt-rain, preemptive due to heavy rainfall; Preempt-sew, preemptive
due to sewage discharge or spill; (?), unknown.
Notes
1 Hawaii Department of Health, Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act 2006 Notification Report to EPA, not dated.
2 Watson Okubo, Hawaii Department of Health, personal communication, May 2007.

Illinois
Illinois has 73 public Great Lakes beaches along approximate 60 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The Illinois
Department of Public Health (IDPH) administers the state’s beach monitoring program. The IDPH and the Lake
County Health Department issue closings at state-run
For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent
beaches. Otherwise, local municipalities and park districts
close beaches. Local health agencies in Cook and Lake of samples exceeding the standard
Counties monitored the water quality of about three- increased to 15 percent in 2006 from
fourths of the Great Lakes beaches in 2006. The monitor-
14 percent in 2005.
ing season extends from Labor Day to Memorial Day.
As part of its efforts to educate the public, the beach program has posted “Don’t feed the waterfowl” signs at several
beaches to discourage people who want to feed the birds, which can contribute significant fecal loads to the water.1
It is up to the managing entity for each beach to issue a closure or an advisory depending upon the U.S. EPA
guidance and their own policies.2 Most closings and advisories issued in 2006 occurred in July.2
Illinois received a $242,940 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $244,120 grant in 2007. BEACH
Act grants fully fund the Great Lakes beach monitoring program. Tourism in Illinois contributes about $26.2 billion to
the state’s economy and generates 300,100 related jobs.
Standards
Indicator Organism: E. coli
Standards: The water quality standard in Illinois is an E. coli single-sample maximum of 235 cfu/100 ml, which matches
the BEACH Act–required single-sample maximum for freshwater beaches. The BEACH Act–required freshwater beach
E. coli standard for the geometric mean of five samples taken over a 30-day period of 126 cfu/100 ml is not applied when
making closing and advisory decisions. Illinois’s current legislation specifically exempts municipalities operating beaches
on Lake Michigan from the standards published in the swimming pool and bathing beach section of state regulatory
code. However, municipalities operating beaches on Lake Michigan comply with the EPA single-sample guidelines and
the state program standards.
At the discretion of the managing entity, other factors are often considered in beach action decisions, including rain
events and predictive models. The motivation to use predictive models is that health warnings are not issued until at least
24 hours after samples are taken because of the time it takes sampling results to be known. A study of the reliability of
one predictive model, SwimCast, indicates that it correctly predicts whether E. coli concentrations are above or below the
235 cfu/100 ml standard 85 and 86 percent of the time, respectively.1 SwimCast predictions can be made on an hourly basis.
At a minimum, predictions are generally made at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and whenever hydrometeorological conditions change
at beaches where SwimCast is used. For each beach where the SwimCast system exists, there are similar but slightly different
predictive models utilized. However, the determination of swim bans and risk advisories is the same at all locations: 1) A
swim ban occurs when the lower 99 percent confidence interval prediction is above 235 MPN/100 ml and is posted as a red
flag. This is the highest risk condition. 2) When the average and upper 99% confidence interval prediction is above, but the
lower 99 percent confidence interval prediction is below 235 MPN/100 ml, this is considered to be a moderate- to high-risk
condition and is posted as an advisory at the beach. 3) When the upper 99 percent confidence interval prediction is above,
but the average and the lower 99 percent confidence interval predictions are below 235 MPN/100 ml, this is considered to
be a moderate-risk condition and is posted at the beach. 4) When the upper 99 percent confidence interval prediction is
below 235 MPN/100 ml, this is considered to be a low-risk condition and posted as a green flag condition.
Monitoring
Frequency: Sampling frequencies for Illinois’s monitored Great Lakes beaches are among the highest in the nation. In
2006, 54 Great Lakes beaches representing 20 miles of shoreline were monitored. All Tier 1 beaches as well as some
IL.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Tier 2 and Tier 3 beaches were monitored. Most beaches are sampled daily, as Illinois believes that daily monitoring is
most protective of public health. Beaches in Lake and suburban Cook counties were monitored seven days a week while
beaches in Chicago were monitored Monday through Friday. In all, in 2006, 74 percent (54) of the Lake Michigan
beaches reported in Illinois were monitored at least five times a week, and 26 percent (19) were not monitored.
Practice: Samples are taken in water that is knee- to waist-deep, usually in the morning. Generally, 24 hours pass before
sampling results are known. Sampling takes place every day of the week except in Chicago, where it is conducted on
weekdays unless a beach is closed, in which case sampling continues through the weekend until samples are once again
below the standard.
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Illinois’s
daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standard increased to
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Jackson Park Beach in Cook County (54%);
North Point Marina North Beach in Lake County (47%); Calumet South Beach (28%), 31st Street Beach (25%),
Montrose Beach (24%), Rainbow Beach (24%), and South Shore in Cook County (23%); Illinois Beach State Park
South Beach in Lake County (23%); and Pratt Blvd And Park Beach in Cook County (23%).
One beach in Illinois, Wilmette Gillson Park Dog Beach, had no exceedances in 2006. The table below lists the tier

County Beach Tier
Cook Jackson Park Beach 1 5/wk 71 54%
Cook Calumet South Beach 1 5/wk 68 28%
Cook 31st Street Beach 1 5/wk 68 25%
Cook Montrose Beach 1 1/wk 67 24%
Cook Rainbow Beach 1 5/wk 68 24%
Cook South Shore 1 5/wk 69 23%
Cook Pratt Blvd And Park Beach 1 5/wk 66 23%
Cook Foster Avenue Beach 1 5/wk 68 21%
Cook 57th Street Beach 1 5/wk 66 20%
Cook 12th Street 1 5/wk 68 19%
Cook Kathy Osterman Beach 1 5/wk 67 18%
Cook Thorndale 1 5/wk 66 15%
Cook Albion 1 5/wk 67 15%
Cook Winnetka Lloyd Park Beach 1 Daily 55 15%
Cook North Shore Avenue Beach 1 5/wk 65 14%
Cook 49th Street Beach 1 5/wk 29 14%
Cook Winnetka Elder Park Beach 1 Daily 87 14%
Cook Loyola Beach 1 5/wk 67 13%
Cook Humboldt Park Beach 1 5/wk 60 13%
Cook Evanstonsouth Beach 1 Daily 86 13%
Cook Ohio Street Beach 1 5/wk 63 13%


County Beach Tier
Cook Winnetka Tower Beach 1 Daily 56 13%
Cook Winnetka Centennial Dog Beach 1 1/wk 56 13%
Cook Evanston Lee Beach 1 Daily 86 12%
Cook North Avenue Beach 1 5/wk 66 11%
Cook Oak Street Beach 1 5/wk 67 10%
Cook Northwestern University Beach 1 5/wk 70 10%
Cook Evanston Clark Beach 1 Daily 85 9%
Cook Evanston Greenwood Beach 1 Daily 86 9%
Cook Winnetka Maple Park Beach 1 Daily 87 9%
Cook Evanston Lighthouse Beach 1 Daily 85 8%
Cook Glencoe Park Beach 1 Daily 86 8%
Cook Jarvis Avenue Park Beach 1 5/wk 65 8%
Cook Howard Street Park Beach 1 5/wk 66 8%
Cook Rogers Avenue Park Beach 1 5/wk 67 7%
Cook Juneway Terrace Park Beach 1 5/wk 67 7%
Cook Kenilworth Beach 1 Daily 87 6%
Cook Wilmette Gillson Park Beach 1 Daily 98 3%
Cook Wilmette Gillson Park Dog Beach 1 1/wk 2 0%
Lake Illilois Beach State Park Saililg Beach 3 None no data no data
Lake Lake Bluff Dog Beach 2 1/wk no data no data
Lake Fort Sheridan South Beach 3 Daily no data no data
Lake North Chicago Foss Park Beach 3 None no data no data
Lake Highland Park Moraine Park Dog Beach 2 1/wk no data no data
Lake Illilois Beach State Park Camp Logan Beach 3 None no data no data
Lake Fort Sheridan North Beach 3 Daily no data no data
Lake North Point Marina North Beach 1 Daily 90 47%
Lake Illinois Beach State Park South Beach 1 Daily 92 23%
Lake Waukegan South Beach 1 Daily 92 17%
Lake Il State Beach Resort Beach 1 Daily 92 17%
Lake Lakeforest Forest Park Beach 1 Daily 92 15%
Lake Great Lakes Navel Nunn Beach 1 Daily 91 14%
Lake Waukegan North Beach 1 Daily 92 11%
Lake Illinois Beach State Park North Beach 1 Daily 92 8%
Lake Highland Park Rosewood Beach 1 Daily 92 8%
Lake Highland Park Avenue Boating Beach 1 Daily 92 8%
Lake Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach 1 Daily 92 5%

Closings were issued at Illinois’s Great Lakes beaches 555 times in 2006. Closing days for events lasting six consecutive
weeks or fewer were nearly the same in 2006 (591 days) as in 2005 (585 days). There were two permanent closure events

in Illinois in 2006 compared to one in 2005. Closings and advisories at Illinois’s Tier 1 beaches increased from 447 days
in 2004 to 584 days in 2005, then increased again to 591 days in 2006. During the time period over which this increase
in closing days occurred, the overall monitoring frequency at these beaches was steady.
Closing and Advisory Issuance: If a sample exceeds the standard, action is taken in all jurisdictions.2 Two samples are
taken daily by the Wilmette Health Department and the Winnetka Park District, both in Cook County. If one sample
exceeds the standard, they resample before closing, but if both exceed they close the beach.
The public is notified of beach actions via websites and signs at the beach. The Chicago Park District in Cook
County flies green flags when a beach meets standards, yellow flags when the reading is between 235 and 1000 cfu/100
ml, and red flags when levels exceed 1000 cfu/100 ml.2 Closing and advisory actions affect entire beaches rather than sec-
tions of beaches in Illinois.
Reopening Procedures: Monitoring on a daily basis continues when a beach is closed. Beaches are reopened only when
daily samples are within the health standard. For beaches under the Wilmette Health Department and the Winnetka
Park District, both samples taken in a day have to meet standards for the beach to reopen.
Causes of Closings and Advisories: All of Illinois’s beach closures were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria
levels. Ninety-eight percent (580) of these elevated levels were reported as due to stormwater and 2 percent (11) were
attributed to wildlife.
2006 Illinois Great Lakes Beach Closings/Advisories

Cook 12th Street 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook 31st Street Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater


Cook 31st Street Beach 7/21 7/22 Bacteria Wildlife
Cook 57th Street Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater


Cook Albion 6/21 6/22 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Bergen Park And Beach 6/21 6/22 Bacteria Stormwater


Cook Calumet South Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Evanston Church Dog Beach 6/9 6/10 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Evanston Clark Beach 6/9 6/10 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Evanston Greenwood Beach 6/9 6/10 Bacteria Stormwater


Cook Evanston Lee Beach 6/9 6/10 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Evanston Lee Beach 7/30 7/31 Bacteria Wildlife
Cook Evanston Lighthouse Beach 6/9 6/10 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Evanstonsouth Beach 7/17 7/19 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Evanstonsouth Beach 6/28 6/29 Bacteria Wildlife
Cook Foster Avenue Beach 6/21 6/22 Bacteria Stormwater


Cook Fullerton (Theater On The Lake) 7/6 7/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Glenlake Ave. Park & Beach 6/21 6/22 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Glenlake Ave. Park & Beach 7/9 7/10 Bacteria Wildlife
Cook Howard Street Park Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Il Beach State Park South Beach 6/16 9/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Jackson Park Beach 7/6 7/8 Bacteria Stormwater


Cook Jarvis Avenue Park Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Juneway Terrace Park Beach 7/7 7/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Kathy Osterman Beach 6/21 6/22 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Kenilworth Beach 6/14 6/15 Bacteria Stormwater


Cook Loyola Ave. Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Loyola Beach 7/6 7/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Montrose Beach 7/6 7/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Montrose Dog Beach 7/6 7/8 Bacteria Stormwater


Cook North Avenue Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook North Shore Avenue Beach 6/21 6/22 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Northwestern University Beach 6/9 6/10 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Oak Street Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Ohio Street Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Pratt Blvd And Park Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater


Cook Rainbow Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Rogers Avenue Park Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook South Shore 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater


Cook Thorndale 6/21 6/22 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Wilmette Gillson Park Beach 6/27 6/28 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Winnetka Centennial Dog Beach 6/26 6/28 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Winnetka Centennial Dog Beach 7/30 7/31 Bacteria Wildlife
Cook Winnetka Elder Park Beach 6/23 6/26 Bacteria Stormwater


Cook Winnetka Lloyd Park Beach 7/17 7/19 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Winnetka Maple Park Beach 6/21 6/22 Bacteria Stormwater
Cook Winnetka Tower Beach 6/10 6/11 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Great Lakes Navel Nunn Beach 6/16 6/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Great Lakes Navel Nunn Beach 8/18 8/21 Bacteria Wildlife
Lake Great Lakes Navel Nunn Beach 6/1 6/2 Bacteria Wildlife
Lake Highland Park Avenue Boating Beach 6/26 6/28 Bacteria Stormwater


Lake Highland Park Moraine Park Dog Beach 6/1 6/2 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Highland Park Moraine Park Dog Beach 7/13 7/14 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Highland Park Rosewood Beach 6/26 6/28 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Il State Beach Resort Beach 7/21 7/23 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Illinois Beach State Park North Beach 6/23 6/24 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach 6/26 6/27 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Lakeforest Forest Park Beach 8/18 8/20 Bacteria Stormwater


Lake North Point Marina North Beach 6/9 9/10 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Waukegan North Beach 6/9 6/10 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Waukegan South Beach 8/17 8/21 Bacteria Stormwater
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels.
Notes
1 United States Environmental Protection Agency, Implementing the BEACH Act of 2000 (Report to Congress), October 2006.
2 Justin DeWitt, Illinois Department of Health, personal communication, July 2007.

Indiana
Indiana has 25 public Great Lakes beaches stretching along 23 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The Indiana
Department of Environmental Management administers the state’s beach monitoring program. Lake, Porter, and
La Porte counties all have Great Lakes beaches that are
monitored. Every Great Lakes beach in Indiana where For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of
swimming is allowed and that has public access is moni- samples exceeding the state standard
tored under the program.1 Generally, the monitoring sea- increased to 19 percent in 2006 from
son is from late May through the first week of September.
16 percent in 2005.
Actual sampling may begin and end a week earlier or later.
Beginning with the 2005 swim season, authority was transferred from the Indiana Department of Environmental
Management to local beach managers for determining whether to post an advisory or a closing. Beach managers make
the decision based on their lab test results (or on model results at beaches where predictive models are used).2 Most of the
beach closing and advisory days in 2006 occurred at beaches in Lake County.
Indiana received a $205,800 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $205,960 grant in 2007. Tourism
in Indiana contributes about $8.9 billion dollars to the state’s economy and generates 264,960 related jobs.
Standards
Standards: Indiana uses BEACH Act–required standards: an E. coli single-sample maximum of 235 cfu/100 ml and a
30‑day, five-sample geometric mean of 126 cfu/100 ml. These standards are established in the Indiana Administrative
Code.3 Up until the 2004 swim season, exceedance of the single-sample maximum or the 30-day geometric mean
standard required a beach closure. Under a new policy announced on May 5, 2005, the Indiana Department of
Environmental Management transferred authority for making beach closure and advisory decisions to local beach
managers.1
Local health departments have a statutory obligation to notify the public of a condition that may cause, transmit, or
generate disease. La Porte County issues a preemptive rain advisory if excessive debris, such as oil globules or algae, is found
in the lake or on the beach. Park departments close the beach for weather and current conditions, such as a rip current.
BEACH Act grants have been used to partially fund predictive model development; these models make predic-
tions based on current conditions, turbidity, chlorophyll, and color. In 2006, a model called Project SAFE was used to
issue preemptive closures for Ogden Dunes, Wells Street, Marquette, and Lake Street beaches. Each morning, Monday
through Friday, beach managers were given the model’s predicted likelihood that the E. coli count would exceed safe lim-
its. On that basis the beach manager would choose whether to issue an advisory or closing. Direct bacterial monitoring
also continues at these beaches to complement the predictive modeling information.
Monitoring
Frequency: In 2006, Indiana reported 25 Great Lakes beaches, all of which were monitored.2 Some of these beaches have
more than one monitoring station, and monitoring occurred at 29 stations. Fourteen percent (4) of stations were moni-
tored daily, 10 percent (3) were monitored five times a week, 45 percent (13) were monitored three times a week, and
31 percent (9) were monitored once a week. Monitoring priorities are based on the number of swimmers.1 In 2006, there
were eight Tier 1 beaches, two of which were monitored daily, two of which were monitored five times a week, one of
which was monitored three times a week, and three of which were monitored once a week. There were 11 Tier 2 beaches,
two of which were monitored daily, one of which was monitored five times a week, four of which were monitored three
times a week, and four of which were monitored once a week. There were six Tier 3 beaches, four of which were moni-
tored three times a week (one beach at three locations and two beaches at two locations) and two of which were moni-
tored once a week.
IN.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Practice: Results are available 16 to 24 hours after samples are delivered to the lab. Sampling occurs every day of the week.
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Indiana’s
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Washington Park in La Porte County (31%),
IN Dunes State Park East in Porter County (20%), Whihala East End in Lake County (18%), IN Dunes State Park West
in Porter County (15%), Mount Baldy in La Porte County (11%), West Beach in Porter County (11%), and Whihala
West End in Lake County (8%).
Two beaches, Central Avenue Beach and Kemil Avenue Beach in Porter County, did not exceed the standard for any
sample taken in 2006. The table below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the
standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent
exceedance.

County Beach Tier
La Porte Washington Park 1 3/wk 147 31%
La Porte Sheridan Beach-Stop 7 3 3/wk 43 14%
La Porte Sheridan Beach-California Avenue-Stop 2 3 3/wk 131 13%
La Porte Mount Baldy 1 1/wk 18 11%
La Porte Long Beach - Stop 20 3 3/wk 42 10%
La Porte Duneland Beach-Stop 34 3 3/wk 43 9%
La Porte Michiana Shores-Stop 37 2 3/wk 42 7%
La Porte Long Beach-Stop 24 3 3/wk 40 5%
La Porte Duneland Beach-Stop 31 3 3/wk 41 5%
Lake BUFFINGTON BEACH Daily 75 32%
Lake Jeorse Park 2 5/wk 150 47%
Lake Lake Street Beach 2 3/wk 84 23%
Lake Whihala East End 1 Daily 90 18%
Lake Hammond Marina East 2 Daily 109 17%
Lake Hammond Marina West 2 Daily 220 14%
Lake Marquette Park Beach 2 3/wk 168 10%
Lake Whihala West End 1 Daily 93 8%
Lake Wells Street Beach 2 3/wk 42 7%
Porter IN Dunes State Park East 1 5/wk 74 20%
Porter IN Dunes State Park West 1 5/wk 75 15%
Porter West Beach 1 1/wk 19 11%
Porter Porter Beach 2 1/wk 16 6%
Porter Lakeview Beach 2 1/wk 17 6%
Porter Dunbar Beach 3 1/wk 17 6%
Porter Ogden Dunes Beach 3 3/wk 135 3%
Porter Central Avenue Beach 2 1/wk 17 0%
Porter Kemil Avenue Beach 2 1/wk 16 0%


Fifteen advisories and 48 closures were issued at Great Lakes beaches in Indiana in 2006. Total closing and advisory days
decreased 15 percent, from 131 days in 2005 to 111 days in 2006. Closings and advisories at Indiana’s eight Tier 1 beaches
decreased from 21 days in 2004 to 17 days in 2005, then increased to 38 days in 2006. During the time period over which
this overall increase in advisory days occurred, the overall monitoring frequency at these beaches increased slightly.
Closing and Advisory Issuance: Local beach managers decide between posting an advisory and closing a beach if there is a
sample exceedance.1 Beaches that use predictive models may also issue a closure or advisory based on whether the model
predicts a high probability of exceeding safe E. coli levels.2 The public is notified of advisories and closings via websites
and signs posted at the beach. Sections of a beach can be closed or placed under advisory.
Reopening Procedures: Advisories are lifted and beaches are reopened when sampling confirms that bacterial levels have
fallen to safe levels. Sampling frequencies are increased at beaches that are closed or under advisory unless the beach
already undergoes daily sampling.
Causes of Closings and Advisories: Seventy-seven percent (86) of closing/advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring
that revealed elevated bacteria levels from unknown sources of contamination. Fifteen percent (17) were preemptive due to
known sewage spills, 6 percent (7) were preemptive due to other causes, and 1 percent (1) was a preemptive rainfall advisory.
2006 Great Lakes Closings and Advisories

La Porte Duneland Beach-Shoreland Hill 7/12 7/13 Bacteria (?)
La Porte Duneland Beach-Stop 34 6/11 6/12 Bacteria (?)
La Porte Long Beach-Stop 24 7/12 7/13 Bacteria (?)
La Porte Michiana Shores-Stop 37 7/12 7/13 Bacteria (?)
La Porte Sheridan Beach-California Avenue-Stop 2 6/9 6/10 Bacteria (?)
La Porte Sheridan Beach-Stop 7 6/9 6/10 Bacteria (?)
La Porte Washington Park 6/2 6/3 Bacteria (?)


Lake Lake Street Beach 6/14 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Lake Lake Street Beach 7/29 8/1 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Lake Lake Street Beach 7/29 8/1 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Lake Marquette Park Beach 6/14 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Lake Marquette Park Beach 8/30 9/6 Bacteria (?)
Lake Marquette Park Beach 7/29 8/1 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Lake Wells Street Beach 8/30 9/6 Bacteria (?)
Lake Wells Street Beach 7/29 8/1 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Lake Whihala East End 6/25 6/26 Bacteria (?)
Lake Whihala East End 7/29 7/30 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Lake Whihala East End 6/11 6/12 Prempt-other Stormwater
Lake Whihala West End 6/25 6/26 Bacteria (?)
Lake Whihala West End 7/29 7/31 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Lake Whihala West End 6/11 6/12 Prempt-other Stormwater
Porter Central Avenue Beach 6/25 6/26 Bacteria (?)
Porter Central Avenue Beach 6/24 6/25 Prempt-other Stormwater
Porter Ogden Dunes Beach 6/14 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Porter Ogden Dunes Beach 7/29 7/30 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Porter Ogden Dunes Beach 8/29 8/30 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Porter West Beach 6/14 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Porter West Beach 8/30 9/6 Bacteria (?)
Porter West Beach 7/29 7/30 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Comb-sew-overflow, combined sewage overflow; Preempt-sew,
preemptive due to sewage discharge or spill; Preempt-other, preempt due to reasons not listed here; RivCrk, rivers, creeks, and lagoons opening onto
beaches; (?), unknown.

Notes
1 Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Final Report for FFY 04 BEACH Act Grant, March 2007 (covers the 2005 swim season).
2 Hala Kuss, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, personal communication, July 2007.
3 Alex da Silva, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, personal communication, July 4, 2005.

Louisiana
Because of the Mississippi Delta, Louisiana’s coastline is primarily wetlands. There are areas of coastal beaches, however,
including the barrier island Grand Isle, as well as some beaches on the Texas border and on the south shore of Lake
Pontchartrain. The Louisiana Department of Health and
Hospitals (LDHH) administers the state’s coastal monitor- For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent
ing program, which runs from April 1 through October 31.
of samples exceeding the standard
There are 12 publicly accessible beaches in the state that are
not under a permanent swimming advisory, and two-thirds decreased to 2 percent in 2006 from
of these were monitored by LDHH in 2006. Since 2000, 6 percent in 2005.
the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, a nonprofit,
membership-based citizens’ organization, has been monitoring nine additional beaches around Lake Pontchartrain that
are under a permanent swimming advisory.
In late summer 2005, Hurricanes Rita and Katrina affected the majority of coastal environments in Louisiana and
caused massive destruction. Louisiana continues to recover from these hurricanes. In 2006, all beaches were affected
to some extent by either or both hurricanes, and beach use was low. Louisiana expected lower bacterial counts at the
Cameron Parish beaches because of the reduced local population caused by Hurricane Rita, but this did not occur.1
Louisiana issues beach advisories, but it is state policy not to issue closings.2 One advisory was issued in 2006, at
Cypremort Point State Park in September.1
The Louisiana Beach Monitoring Program is fully supported by BEACH Act grant monies. Louisiana received a
$322,010 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $325,370 grant in 2007. Tourism in Louisiana con
tributes about $8.1 billion to the state’s economy and generates 110,000 related jobs.
Standards
Indicator Organisms: Fecal coliform, enterococcus
Standards: Water quality standards are not met if any of the following are exceeded: 1) an enterococcus single-sample
maximum standard of 104 cfu/100 ml, 2) an enterococcus geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml for five samples taken
over a 30‑day period, or 3) a fecal coliform geometric mean of 200 cfu/100 ml based on a minimum of five samples
taken over no more than a 30-day period and no more than 10 percent of the samples during any 30-day period exceed
200 cfu/100 ml.1 The Louisiana State’s Sanitary Code and Water Quality Standards stipulate the use of fecal coliform as
an indicator of bacterial contamination, so the Louisiana Beach Monitoring Program implemented both the BEACH
Act-required enterococcus and state-required fecal coliform standards in its decision rule.1 Multiple samples are some-
times taken, and when they are, the results are averaged to determine whether standards are being exceeded.2
Louisiana is studying statistical relationships between enterococcus counts and water temperature, salinity, tide condi-
tions, weather conditions, wind direction, wind speed, and the amount of rain that has fallen within the last 48 hours or
the last 72 hours. They are finding correlation with different variables for different beaches, and no correlation for some
beaches. They have discovered that the density of enterococcus is influenced by at least one precipitation-based variable
at all beach segments, but that the amount of variability explained by precipitation is low.1
Laboratories at the LDHH analyze the Lake Pontchartrain samples for fecal coliform levels. However, these monitor-
ing results are not used to issue beach advisories because Lake Pontchartrain beaches are under permanent advisory.
Monitoring
Frequency: The LDHH monitored and maintained data for eight beaches covering 20 miles of coastline in 2006, but
only three were eligible for advisory issuance because Louisiana issues advisories at Tier 1 and 2 beaches only.
Levels of beach use and perceptions of water quality determine monitoring priorities. Tier 1 and 2 beaches are
monitored with the same frequency, but Tier 1 beaches have more dense sampling sites (500 m apart for Tier 1 beaches
LA.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

compared with two miles apart for Tier 2 beaches). Tier 3 beaches have stations two miles apart, but are sampled less
frequently than Tier 2 beaches. A fourth tier of beaches, comprised of beaches on private land or with existing swim-
ming advisories posted by the state and with very low public use, is not monitored. Monitoring has not yet been initated
at three Tier 1 beaches in Lake Charles. All Tier 2 beaches were monitored, and one Tier 3 beach was not monitored
because damage from Hurricane Katrina constrained access. Two Tier 1 beaches and one Tier 2 beach were sampled once
a week in 2006, and five Tier 3 beaches were sampled every other week.
Practice: Routine samples are generally collected on Mondays. Results of sampling are generally known 24 hours after the
sample is delivered to the lab for analysis.
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Louisiana’s
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Holly Beach 3 (25%), Martin Beach (19%),
Holly Beach 6 (19%), Holly Beach 1 (19%), Holly Beach 4 (19%), Holly Beach 2 (19%), Dung Beach (19%) and in
Cameron County..
Thirty-six percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Jefferson
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (86%) followed by Cameron (8%).. The table below
lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006.
Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Cameron Holly Beach 3 3 2/mo 16 25%
Cameron Martin Beach 3 2/mo 16 19%
Cameron Dung Beach 3 2/mo 16 19%
Cameron Constance Beach 3 2/mo 16 13%
Cameron Rutherford Beach 3 2/mo 16 13%
Cameron Little Florida 3 2/mo 16 13%
Cameron Gulf Breeze 3 2/mo 16 13%
Cameron Hackberry Beach 3 2/mo 16 0%
Jefferson Grand Isle State Park 2 1 1/wk 33 3%
Jefferson Grand Isle Beach 2 2 1/wk 30 0%


County Beach Tier
St Mary Cypremort Point State Park 1 1/wk 35 6%
St Tammany Fontainebleau State Park 3 2/mo 15 0%
Advisories
Louisiana issued one beach advisory in 2006. Total advisory days for events lasting six consecutive weeks or fewer de-
creased 99 percent, from 406 days in 2005 to 5 days in 2006. There were 23 extended advisory events in Louisiana in
2005 compared to none in 2006. These changes are due largely to the influences of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita—only
a few beaches were accessible in 2006 due to lingering damage, but beach accessibility has improved in 2007.
Advisory Issuance: When a single sample exceeds the standard, resamples are conducted as soon as possible when a single
sample exceeds the standard in order to confirm high bacteria levels before issuing an advisory.1 Advisories are not issued
at Tier 3 beaches because they are only sampled every other week. To inform the public that an advisory has been issued,
LDHH notifies local government officials and partner agencies prior to or concurrent with issuing an advisory, posts
the advisory at the beach by flipping the sign located at the sampling location to display the advisory, posts the swim-
ming advisory notice at that location, and issues a press release to local newspapers to communicate the advisory to the
general public and to inform potential swimmers of adverse water quality conditions prior to their arrival at the beach.
Additionally, LDHH provides weekly beach classification results on the web, including current water quality classifica-
tions, whether or not an advisory has been issued, a map of sample locations, and contact information for the public to
acquire information. If the beach is long, advisories can be issued for sections of a beach rather than a whole beach. The
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation posts current monitoring results on its website.
Reopening Procedures: Aside from resampling, the monitoring frequency does not increase for beaches that have been
placed under advisory. Advisories are lifted when bacteria levels are in compliance with standards. When a beach is placed
under advisory, the advisory generally lasts for about a week.
Causes of Advisories: All five beach advisory days issued in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed a single-sample
exceedance of enterococcus from unknown sources of contamination.
2006 Louisiana Coastal Beach Closings/Advisories

St Mary Cypt1 9/22 9/27 Bacteria (?)
Abbreviations used: Bacteria: Monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; (?), unknown.
Notes
1 Louisiana Dept of Health and Hospitals, Final Louisiana BEACH Grant Report, 2006 Swimming Season, May 2007.
2 Bruce Champion, Louisiana Dept of Health and Hospitals, personal communication, 2006.

Maine
Maine has 46 public coastal beaches stretching along approximately 35 miles of Atlantic shoreline.1 Relatively little
swimming takes place in the cold waters of the eastern part of the state, but the mid-coast and southern regions have
intense recreational usage during the three-month beach season.2 Beach monitoring and notification activities in Maine
are conducted by the Maine Healthy Beaches Program,
which is a partnership between the Maine State Planning For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent
Office Coastal Program, the Maine Bureau of Health, the of samples exceeding the standard
Maine Department of Conservation and Environmental decreased to 12 percent in 2006 from
Protection, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension/
Sea Grant, and local municipalities. Participation in the 16 percent in 2005.
program is voluntary; the decision to monitor and issue closings or advisories is left to the discretion of municipalities.3
The program is funded by the EPA, managed by the Maine State Planning Office Coastal Program, and coordinated by
the University of Maine Cooperative Extension/Sea Grant.1
Counties with beaches in the program, all of which are on the southeastern portion of the state’s coastline, are
Cumberland, York, Sagadahoc, Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties. Hancock, Washington, and Knox Counties each
have one beach that is not in the program. These three beaches, which are the only major recreational coastal beaches in
Maine that are not monitored, are in outlying remote areas that have very little swimming or recreational water activity
and are difficult to sample.1 The monitoring season lasts three months, from Memorial through Labor Day. This length
of monitoring is extended to include spring wet weather monitoring and special studies for targeted areas.1
Both closings and advisories are issued in Maine, but closings are rare and occur only in municipalities where closure
ordinances are in place.1 A record number of coastal beach advisories and closings occurred in 2006 due to heavy rain-
fall, severe flooding in coastal areas, an increase in the number of beaches in the program, and improved notification
of advisories and closings by the participating towns and state parks.3 Most closings and advisories in 2006 were issued
in the last half of July. Goose Rock had the most closing and advisory days in 2006, followed by Camden Yacht Club,
which has a dock where a lot of people swim.3 The number of advisory days at localities that do not have the ability to
re-sample following the issuance of an advisory may be inflated because those beaches remain closed until the next rou-
tine monitoring can be conducted.1
Variable water quality found by the Maine Healthy Beaches program at Biddleford’s beaches motivated the remedia-
tion of unlicensed and undocumented sewer systems, replacement of old clay-tile pipes with PVC piping, and combined
sewer overflow abatement. The Maine Healthy Beaches Program has been assisting towns with identification of pollution
sources and further assessment of freshwater flows contributing to poor beach water quality.3 In addition, beachwater
monitoring data in Maine has been used by scientists investigating harbor seal mortality.2
Maine received a $254,730 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $256,240 grant in 2007. The
University of Maine Cooperative Extension contributes approximately $50,000 in salary and match to the state agree-
ment from the university.1 Tourism in Maine is worth about $13.6 billion dollars and 176,633 related jobs.
Standards
Standards: When determining whether to recommend issuing a beach alert, the Maine Healthy Beaches Program applies
a single-sample standard for marine waters of enterococcus greater than 104 mpn/100 ml3. (Note that mpn is “most
probable number” and differs from cfu which is a plate count of colony forming units.) The BEACH Act’s 30-day,
five‑sample geometric mean standard of 35 cfu/100 ml is not used except that it is calculated and taken into consider-
ation along with the history of the site when making beach management recommendations.1 When multiple samples are
collected, their results are averaged.3 These standards have been adopted by the Maine Department of Environmental
Protection.3
There are a few cities that automatically post an advisory after a certain amount of rainfall.1
ME.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Monitoring
Frequency: Maine’s Healthy Coastal Beaches Program provided information on 46 ocean and bay beaches. Ninety-four
percent (43) of the beaches in 21 towns and state parks were monitored, including three new beaches for the 2006
sampling year: Little Beach in Ogunquit, Scarborough Beach in Scarborough, and Laudholm Beach in Wells. The towns
of Mt. Desert and Parsons Beach in Kennebunk are no longer participating in the program.3 The 43 monitored beaches
represent approximately 31 miles of public swimming area. This does not include private beaches that are monitored or
non-beach areas that are monitored to evaluate water conditions or for special studies.1 Sites are prioritized for monitor-
ing based on usage, the presence of storm drain outfalls, and other known conditions affecting water quality. Nearly all
of the monitored beaches are monitored once a week. A handful are monitored more often than once a week, and two
are monitored less than once a week.3
EPA funding supported the collection and analysis of special studies and pollution identification efforts along the
coast. Intensive monitoring of the Ogunquit River (10-15 samples) and Kennebunk River (6-10 samples) was conducted
on a weekly basis from June through October 2006. Rigorous daily monitoring of problematic beaches, such as Goose
Rocks (Kennebunkport) and Gooches Beach (Kennebunk), was conducted depending on conditions. Additional samples
were collected and analyzed in the Biddeford marsh, and the Spurwink and Saco rivers.2
Practice: Samples are taken in three feet of water. Routine monitoring occurs in the morning, typically before 10:00 am.
Resampling efforts may occur morning or afternoon. Between 26 and 30 hours generally go by before sampling results
are known. Routine monitoring occurs Monday through Thursday, but resampling and special study sampling may
extend into Friday and the weekend.1
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Maine’s
daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standard decreased
to 12 percent in 2006 from 16 percent in 2005.
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Goose Rock (Kennebunkport) in York County
(43%), Pine Point in Cumberland County (33%), Riverside (Ogunquit) (30%) and Laudholm Beach (WNERR-Wells)
in York County (25%), Camden Yacht Club in Knox County (23%), East Beach (Georgetown) in Sagadahoc County
(20%), Lincolnville Beach Area in Waldo County (20%), and Gooches Beach (19%) and Ferry Beach (Saco) in York
County (19%)
Thirty-seven percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Sagadahoc
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (60%), followed by Cumberland (43%), York (33%).
Lincoln County’s single coastal beach (Pemaquid Beach )also had no exceedances in 2006. The table below lists the tier

County Beach Tier
Cumberland Pine Point 1 1/wk 15 33%
Cumberland East End Beach (Portland) 1 3/wk 43 14%
Cumberland Higgins Beach 1 1/wk 16 13%
Cumberland Willard Beach 1 2/wk 33 9%
Cumberland Crescent Beach (Cape Elizabeth) 1 1/wk 13 0%
Cumberland Kettle Cove Beach (Cape Elizabeth) 1 1/wk 14 0%
Cumberland Scarborough Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
Knox Camden Yacht Club 1 1/wk 13 23%


County Beach Tier
Knox Laite Beach 1 1/wk 13 8%
Lincoln Pemaquid Beach 2 2/mo 7 0%
Sagadahoc East Beach (Georgetown) 1 1/wk 15 20%
Sagadahoc Lagoon Beach 1 1/wk 14 7%
Sagadahoc Popham Beach 1 1/wk 16 0%
Sagadahoc Mile Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
Sagadahoc Half Mile Beach 2 1/mo 3 0%
Waldo Lincolnville Beach Area 1 1/wk 15 20%
York Goose Rock (Kennebunkport) 1 5/wk 23 43%
York Riverside (Ogunquit) 1 1/wk 20 30%
York Laudholm Beach (Wnerr-Wells) 1 1/wk 16 25%
York Gooches Beach 1 1/wk 32 19%
York Ferry Beach (Saco) 1 1/wk 16 19%
York Ogunquit Beach 1 1/wk 17 18%
York Little Beach (Ogunquit) 1 1/wk 12 17%
York Wells Beach 1 1/wk 15 13%
York Colony Beach 1 1/wk 15 13%
York Old Orchard Beach 1 1/wk 16 13%
York Hills Beach (Biddeford) 1 1/wk 16 13%
York Ferry Beach (Scarborough) 1 1/wk 12 8%
York Kinney Shores (Saco) 1 1/wk 12 8%
York Cape Neddick Beach 1 1/wk 13 8%
York Sea Point Beach 1 1/wk 13 8%
York Drakes Isl. Beach 1 1/wk 14 7%
York Fortunes Rocks Beach 1 1/wk 14 7%
York Middle Beach (Biddeford) 1 1/wk 14 7%
York Short Sands Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
York Long Sands Beach 1 1/wk 14 0%
York Middle Beach (Kennebunk) 1 1/wk 13 0%
York York Harbor Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
York Crescent Beach (Kittery) 1 1/wk 12 0%
York Libby Cove Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
York Bay View (Saco) 1 1/wk 12 0%
York Kennebunk Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
York Fort Foster 1 1/wk 12 0%
Closings/Advisories
In 2006, 35 advisories and 4 closings were issued at public coastal beaches. Maine reported 134 closing/advisory days in
2006, a 45 percent increase from 92 days in 2005. This increase may be due in part to increased rainfall and increased
monitoring. Closings and advisories at Maine’s 42 Tier 1 beaches increased from 56 days in 2004 to 88 days in 2005,

then increased again to 134 days in 2006. This steady increase in closing and advisory days from 2004 to 2006 may be
due in part to a small increase in monitoring frequency of Tier 1 beaches over that time period.
Closing/Advisory Issuance: Results of all monitoring samples are transmitted to the Maine Health Beaches office. Auto
matic email alerts are issued to beach managers, local officials, and other entities as soon as an exceedance is found.3
The Maine Healthy Beaches program always recommends an advisory or closing when the standard is exceeded, but
the decision to post the beach is the responsibility of the town or state park.1 In February 2003, the Maine Healthy
Beaches Program developed the Coastal Swim Beach Risk Assessment Matrix, a scoring system for local health officials to
use to determine whether to close a beach or issue an advisory when bacteria levels exceed the standard. The guidelines
suggest that communities assess risk factors such as rainfall, tidal conditions, nearby sources of pollution, the number
of beach users, the extent of development in close proximity to the beach, and bacterial concentration history when
determining whether to post an advisory or closing. Resampling to confirm an exceedance may be conducted if a sample
exceeds 100 mpn/100 ml, but a resample confirmation is not necessary in every situation, especially in areas with chronic
bacteria problems.1
The public is notified of closings and advisories via signs at beach access points and a website.3 Several communities
have a beach hotline and/or post this information on the town website as well.1 For some larger beaches, sections of a
beach instead of a whole beach can be closed or placed under advisory.3
Reopening Procedures: Once a beach is closed or placed under advisory, the monitoring frequency is supposed to increase
until the beach is reopened.3 However, not all localities have the ability to conduct increased monitoring, and as a result
the beaches in these towns cannot be reopened until the next routine sample is analyzed.1
Causes of Closings/Advisories: All closing and advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bac-
teria levels from unknown sources of contamination.
2006 Maine Coastal Beach Closings/Advisories

Cumberland Crescent Beach (Cape Elizabeth) 8/2 8/4 Bacteria (?)
Cumberland Ferry Beach (Scarborough) 8/2 8/4 Bacteria (?)
Cumberland Pine Point 8/11 8/16 Bacteria (?)
Cumberland Willard Beach 6/20 6/21 Bacteria (?)
Knox Camden Yacht Club 7/20 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Knox Camden Yacht Club 8/10 8/24 Bacteria (?)
Knox Laite Beach 7/20 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Sagadahoc Lagoon Beach 6/13 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Waldo Lincolnville Beach Area 8/31 9/1 Bacteria (?)
York Bay View (Saco) 7/20 7/21 Bacteria (?)
York Colony Beach 6/30 7/4 Bacteria (?)
York Colony Beach 8/2 8/4 Bacteria (?)


York Ferry Beach (Saco) 7/4 7/6 Bacteria (?)
York Ferry Beach (Saco) 7/19 7/21 Bacteria (?)
York Fortunes Rocks Beach 7/20 7/21 Bacteria (?)
York Gooches Beach 6/29 7/1 Bacteria (?)
York Goose Rock (Kennebunkport) 6/14 6/20 Bacteria (?)
York Hills Beach (Biddeford) 7/14 7/19 Bacteria (?)
York Laudholm Beach (Wnerr-Wells) 7/13 7/20 Bacteria (?)
York Middle Beach (Biddeford) 7/20 7/21 Bacteria (?)
York Old Orchard Beach 7/18 7/19 Bacteria (?)
York Sea Point Beach 7/13 7/15 Bacteria (?)
Abbreviations used: Bacteria: Monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; (?), unknown.
Notes – lots of missing footnotes (this was the author’s note, not mine)
1 Esperanza Stancioff, University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant, personal communication, July 2007.
3 Maine Healthy Beaches Program, 2006 EPA Report, not dated.

Maryland
Maryland conducts water quality sampling at both freshwater and coastal beaches. The administering agency for
Maryland’s BEACH Act grants is the Maryland Department of the Environment. Beach monitoring and notifica-
tion activities are delegated to local health departments.
Individual counties have had their own programs since the
1980s, and Maryland is working to standardize the pro- of samples exceeding the standard
grams across the state. 1
increased to 13 percent in 2006 from
Monitoring programs have identified and informed
9 percent in 2005.
remediation of water quality problems at beaches, in-
cluding a stormwater outfall at North Beach.1 In 2006, the Maryland Beaches Program tested a technology-based
data collection system to conduct Beach Shoreline Surveys. This system improves data management and analysis, and
will provide key information for identifying and mitigating actual and potential pollution sources that may impact
beach water quality. This data system has provided MDE with a unique view on how land-based activities can affect
water quality at beaches.2 Nearly one-half of beach advisory and closure days were in Kent County. Chesapeake Station
Beach and North Beach in Calvert County were each closed for more than 30 days during the swim season due to
sanitary sewer overflows. Most beach closing and advisory days were for events that started in late June and extended
into July.
For 2006, the EPA reported that Maryland has 81 public coastal beaches, all of which are monitored.2 However,
Maryland reported 191 public coastal beaches in 2005, and 86 public coastal beaches in 2004. Maryland did not answer
when NRDC asked how many public coastal beaches or how many miles of public coastal beaches are in the state.3
Maryland’s beaches are on the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, barrier islands, and other bays and sounds. Sixteen
of Maryland’s counties have coastline, but only nine report the presence of public beaches. They are Anne Arundel,
Baltimore, Calvert, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, and Worcester Counties. Maryland’s monitoring
season is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Maryland issues both closings and advisories.
Maryland received a $260,250 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $271,150 grant in 2007.
Maryland’s counties and the Maryland State Laboratory support the state’s beach monitoring program with other funds.3
Tourism in Maryland contributes about $10.1 billion to the state’s economy and generates 115,000 related jobs.
Standards
Indicator Organisms: Enterococcus (for coastal beaches); E. coli (for freshwater beaches)
Standards: All three tiers of beaches use a geometric mean standard for enterococcus of 35 cfu/100 ml. Three samples are
taken per sampling event. For Tier 1 and Tier 2 beaches, the single-sample standard for enterococcus is the upper 75 per-
cent confidence limit of the single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml. The single-sample standard for Enterococcus at
Tier 3 beaches is the upper 82 percent confidence limit of 158 cfu/100 ml. These standards and the formulas used to cal-
culate confidence intervals can be found in Maryland’s monitoring guidance document.4 EPA-recommended indicators
and criteria have been adopted in state regulations.1
Maryland does not have preemptive rainfall advisory standards. However, a predictive model is being developed for a
high-use beach at Sandy Point State Park.1
Monitoring
Frequency: For the 2006 beach season, Maryland reported a total of 81 marine and estuarine beaches (less than half the
previous year’s total of 191), all of which are monitored. Fifty-seven percent (46) were routinely monitored four times
a month, 12 percent (10) were routinely monitored twice a month, and the remaining 31 percent (25) were routinely
monitored once a month. Beach monitoring priorities are based on bather use level, historical water quality, proximity
of human and animal fecal contamination sources, and beach structure and ecological factors.4
MD.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Practice: Samples are taken 12 inches below the water’s surface in knee-deep water. Generally, 30 hours pass before sam-
pling results are known.
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Maryland’s
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Hacks Point in Cecil County (60%), Bay
Country Campground and Beach in Kent County (56%), Kurtz Beach in Anne Arundel County (50%), Holloway
Beach in Cecil County (50%), YMCA Camp Tockwogh (Youth Camp) (50%), and Ferry Park in Kent County (44%),
Red Point Beach in Cecil County (43%), and Tolchester Marina and Beach in Kent County (41%).
Fifty-one percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Anne Arundel
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (76%) followed by St Mary’s (67%), Worcester
(64%), Calvert (57%), Baltimore (50%), Kent (13%), Cecil (8%). The table below lists the tier status, monitoring fre-
quency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county
and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Anne Arundel Kurtz Beach 0 1/mo 4 50%
Anne Arundel Venice On The Bay 0 1/mo 4 25%
Anne Arundel Fairhaven 0 1/mo 4 25%
Anne Arundel Sandy Point State Park South Beach 1 1/wk 15 13%
Anne Arundel Turkey Point At Cloud Beach 0 1/mo 8 13%
Anne Arundel Sandy Point State Park East Beach 1 1/wk 15 7%
Anne Arundel Oyster Harbor 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Saunders Point 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Mason’s Beach 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Bay Ridge Beach At Bay Dr. 1 1/wk 14 0%
Anne Arundel Rosehaven 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Ponder Cove 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Idlewilde On The Bay 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Cedarhurst 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Deale Beach 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Mayo Beach Park 1 1/wk 14 0%
Anne Arundel Mountain Point At Gibson Island 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel River Club Estates 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Annapolis Sailing 0 2/mo 7 0%
Anne Arundel Cape Anne 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Bay Ridge At River Dr. 1 1/wk 14 0%
Anne Arundel Bayside Beach 1 1/wk 7 0%
Anne Arundel Town Point At Arkhaven 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Ftsmallwood 0 1/mo 4 0%
Anne Arundel Cape St. Claire At Persimmon Point 0 2/mo 7 0%


County Beach Tier
Baltimore Miami Beach 1 1/wk 16 25%
Baltimore Gunpowdersphammerman 1 1/wk 20 20%
Baltimore Hart Miller Island 1 1/wk 23 0%
Baltimore Rocky Point Park 1 1/wk 12 0%
Calvert Seahorse 0 2/mo 6 17%
Calvert Breezy Point 0 2/mo 13 8%
Calvert North Beach 1 1/wk 16 6%
Calvert Driftwood 0 2/mo 6 0%
Calvert Flag Ponds 0 2/mo 6 0%
Calvert Scientists Cliffs 0 1/mo 4 0%
Calvert Flag Harbor 0 2/mo 7 0%
Cecil Hacks Point 1 1/wk 10 60%
Cecil Holloway Beach 0 2/mo 6 50%
Cecil Red Point Beach 1 1/wk 7 43%
Cecil Crystal Beach Manor 1 1/wk 10 30%
Cecil Buttonwood Beach 1 1/wk 10 20%
Cecil Elkview Shores 1 1/wk 5 20%
Cecil Carpenters Point Beach 1 1/wk 12 17%
Cecil Elk Neck State Park Elk River 1 1/wk 6 17%
Cecil West View Shores 1 1/wk 6 17%
Cecil Charlestown Manor 1 1/wk 9 11%
Cecil Elk Neck State Park North East River 1 1/wk 11 9%
Cecil Indian Acres 1 1/wk 4 0%
Kent Bay Country Campground And Beach 1 1/wk 16 56%
Kent YMCA Camp Tockwogh (Youth Camp) 1 1/wk 16 50%
Kent Ferry Park 1 1/wk 16 44%
Kent Tolchester Marina And Beach 1 1/wk 22 41%
Kent Boy Scout Beach (Eliason) 0 2/mo 5 40%
Kent Betterton Beach And Public Landing 1 1/wk 15 40%
Kent Echo Hill Camp (Youth Camp) 1 1/wk 16 19%
Kent Kentmore Park Beach 1 1/wk 7 0%
Queen Anne’s Camp Wright 1 1/wk 13 8%
Somerset Janes Island 0 1/mo 3 0%
St Mary’s Elm’s Beach - Public Beach 1 1/wk 20 15%
St Mary’s St. Clement Shores S/D - Boat Ramp 1 1/wk 1 0%
St Mary’s Point Lookout State Park 1 1/wk 15 0%
Worcester Public Landing 1 1/wk 15 40%
Worcester Ocean City Beach 6 1 1/wk 33 3%
Worcester Assateague State Park 1 1/wk 16 0%


County Beach Tier
Worcester North Beach Site #2 (Ranger Station) 1 1/wk 15 0%
Worcester Oceanside #3 1 1/wk 15 0%
Worcester North Beach Site #1 (State Park Boundary) 1 1/wk 16 0%

Maryland issued 19 beach advisories and 12 closures in 2006. Closing/advisory days for events lasting six consecutive
weeks or less increased 52 percent from 209 in 2005 to 317 in 2006. There were two extended and one permanent
closing/advisory events in 2005 compared to none in 2006. Maryland did not provide a list of Tier 1 beaches, so NRDC
analyzed for a trend in closing and advisories from 2004 to 2006 based on the a set of beaches that was monitored at least
once a week in 2006. Closings and advisories at these 46 beaches decreased from 81 days in 2004 to 19 days in 2005,
then increased to 241 days in 2006. This overall increase in closing and advisory days from 2004 to 2006 may be due in
part to an increase in monitoring frequency of these beaches over that time period.
Closing/Advisory Issuance: In June 2004, Maryland’s secretary of the environment signed new regulations requiring
beach advisories to be issued if standards are exceeded. In the past, a resample was often taken prior to issuing an advi-
sory. Now, if the county has no reason to doubt the validity of the first sample, it is required to issue an advisory and
notify the public. If a known pollution source exists (e.g., a combined sewer overflow, failing sewer infrastructure, or
wastewater treatment discharge), the county must close the beach. Also, if there is any dangerous contaminant or condi-
tion, the local health department or the Maryland Department of the Environment may issue an immediate closure.4
All counties notify the public when a beach is closed or an advisory issued by posting signs at the beach, providing
phone hotlines, and posting announcements on the Internet. In some cases, sections of a beach may be placed under ad-
visory or closed, rather than the entire beach.4
Reopening Procedures: NRDC was unable to ascertain from Maryland’s personnel or their beach monitoring guidance
document whether or not the frequency of water quality monitoring was increased at beaches that were closed or placed
under advisory, until they are reopened.
Causes of Closings/Advisories: Seventy-one percent (226) of closing/advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that
revealed elevated bacteria levels from unknown sources of contamination. Twenty-nine percent (91) of closing/advisory
days were preemptive in response to a known sewage spill.
2006 Maryland Coastal Beach Closings/Advisories

Anne Arundel Ponder Cove 6/28 7/7 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Anne Arundel Sandy Point State Park East Beach 7/28 8/4 Bacteria (?)
Anne Arundel Sandy Point State Park East Beach 8/13 8/25 Bacteria (?)
Anne Arundel Sandy Point State Park South Beach 7/28 7/30 Bacteria (?)
Anne Arundel Sandy Point State Park South Beach 8/13 8/25 Bacteria (?)
Baltimore GunPowderSPHammerman 6/7 6/8 Bacteria (?)


Baltimore Rocky Point Park 7/7 7/11 Bacteria (?)
Calvert Breezy Point 9/3 9/4 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Calvert Chesapeake Station 6/27 7/25 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Calvert Chesapeake Station 8/15 8/20 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Calvert North Beach 6/27 7/25 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Calvert River Club Estates 6/28 7/7 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Kent Bay Country Campground and Beach 6/30 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Kent Bay Country Campground and Beach 8/9 8/21 Bacteria (?)
Kent Betterton Beach and Public Landing 6/30 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Kent Boy Scout Beach (Eliason) 6/30 7/24 Bacteria (?)
Kent Echo Hill Camp (Youth Camp) 6/30 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Kent Echo Hill Camp (Youth Camp) 8/9 8/14 Prempt-sew Septic
Kent Ferry Park 6/30 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Kent Ferry Park 8/9 8/15 Bacteria (?)
Kent Tolchester Marina and Beach 7/10 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Kent YMCA Camp Tockwogh (Youth Camp) 7/7 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Kent YMCA Camp Tockwogh (Youth Camp) 8/9 8/14 Bacteria (?)
Queen Anne’s Camp Wright 7/28 8/4 Bacteria (?)
St Mary’s Elm’s Beach-Public Beach 7/7 7/17 Bacteria (?)
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Pre-empt-sew, preemptive due to sewage discharge or spill; Pre-empt
other, preemptive due to reasons not listed here; Sanitary-sew-over, sanitary sewage overflow; (?), unknown.
Notes
2 United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA’s BEACH Report: Maryland 2006 Swimming Season, June 2007.
3 Heather Morehead, Maryland Department of the Environment, personal communication, June 2007.
4 Maryland Department of the Environment, Guidance for County Recreational Water Quality Monitoring and Notification Programs, December
2003.

MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts has 727 miles of sandy marine coastline,1 204 miles of which consist of public swimming beaches.2 State
water quality regulations require that all public and semi-public freshwater and marine bathing beaches in Massachusetts
be monitored for bacterial and sometimes other types of contamination during the bathing season.3 In 2006, water qual-
ity at all 525 public coastal beaches, along with more than
600 freshwater beaches, was monitored through a program For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of
administered by the Massachusetts Department of Public
samples exceeding the state standard
Health (MDPH). Local boards of health, the Barnstable
County Department of Health, and the Department of decreased to 8 percent in 2006 from
Conservation and Recreation do most of the sampling in 15 percent in 2005.
the state.
All the coastal counties (Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk, Nantucket, Essex, Dukes, Bristol, and Barnstable) have
beaches that are monitored. The monitoring season starts as early as Memorial Day at some beaches, and lasts through
Labor Day in most years.3 Beaches are closed to swimming when standards are exceeded; Massachusetts does not issue
advisories.2 In 2006, July had more beach closings than any other month.2 Total rainfall amounts at many Massachusetts
beaches during the 2006 season were higher compared to 2005,2 and more closing days were issued in 2006 than
in 2005.
Massachusetts received a $254,440 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $255,940 grant in 2007.
In addition to federal funding, MDPH has contributed staff and administrative resources amounting to approximately
$75,000 annually.2 Tourism in Massachusetts contributes about $12.5 billion to the state’s economy and generates
125,300 related jobs.
Standards
Indicator Organisms: Enterococcus, E. coli
Standards: For marine beaches, the standard is a single-sample maximum of enterococcus of 104 cfu/100 ml or a
f ive‑sample geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml. For freshwater beaches, either enterococcus or E. coli can be used as
indicator species. For enterococcus at freshwater beaches, the standard is a single-sample maximum of 61 cfu/100
ml or a five-sample geometric mean of 33 cfu/100 ml. For E. coli at freshwater beaches, the standard is a single-sample
maximum of 235 cfu/100 ml or a five-sample geometric mean of 126 cfu/100 ml. In addition to closings due to
bacterial exceedances, the local board of health and/or the MDPH can close a beach if they determine there is a threat
to human health for any other reason, such as algal blooms or oil spills.2 Local boards of health can preemptively close
beaches that have consistently elevated indicator levels, and preemptive rain closures are issued as well.3
In August 2000, the Massachusetts Beaches Act was passed (Chapter 248 of the Acts of 2000). Beginning in 2001,
the act required adopting the water quality standards recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for
all marine and freshwater public beaches, weekly monitoring, and informing the public about unsafe waters by posting
notices at beaches when the water is polluted. Prior to these regulations, the state used total coliforms and fecal coliforms
as indicators at marine beaches.3
Monitoring
Frequency: In 2006, there were 602 sampling locations at 525 marine beaches and 591 sampling locations at 537 fresh-
water beaches.2 The minimum requirement for sampling is weekly. More than 99 percent (597) of the sampling locations
at marine beaches were tested daily or weekly. The five marine beaches that were not tested at the required frequency
were either in close proximity to beaches that were tested weekly or were beaches with Tier 3 status that qualified for
reduced sampling because a sanitary survey and historical bacterial results demonstrated a low potential of bacterial con-
tamination.2 All data collected are maintained within MDPH’s internal database.
MA.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Monitoring locations are chosen by the local board of health or MDPH. The frequency of monitoring is determined
by a tier classification system. Tier 1 beaches include heavily used beaches that have pollution problems and Tier 2
beaches include heavily used beaches with some pollution. Low-use beaches that have no known pollution problems, and
that have completed a sanitary survey to show a low potential of bacterial contamination are classified as Tier 3.2 Sanitary
surveys are conducted more frequently at Tier 1 beaches.3
Practice: Samples are taken from the area of greatest bather density, usually before noon. Environmental observations are
recorded when sampling.3 Samples are collected in three feet of water, one foot below the surface of the water.2 Sample
results are known 24 hours after the sample is delivered to the laboratory. Sampling occurs throughout the week, and the
day of the week that sampling occurs can vary among beaches. Most communities pick one day during the week to com-
plete all of the necessary sampling.2
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded
Massachusetts’ daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the stan-
dard decreased to 8 percent in 2006 from 15 percent in 2005.
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Wollaston-Sachem Street in Norfolk County
(15%), Constitution-Middle (13%) and Constitution-North site in Suffolk County (11%), Wollaston-Channing Street in
Norfolk County (10%), City Point Beach in Suffolk County (9%), and Wollaston - Milton Street in Norfolk County (7%).
Sixty-eight percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Nantucket
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (87%) followed by Dukes (83%), Plymouth (76%),
Barnstable (74%), Essex (58%), Bristol (47%), Norfolk (39%), and Suffolk (18%). The table below lists the tier status,
monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are

County Beach Tier
Barnstable Cockle Cove Creek 1/wk 18 61%
Barnstable Bucks Creek 1/wk 19 47%
Barnstable Shorewood Association 1/wk 19 37%
Barnstable Town Landing West Of Coast Guard 1/wk 17 29%
Barnstable Prince Cove 1/wk 18 28%
Barnstable Breakwater Landing 1/wk 16 19%
Barnstable Paines Creek 1/wk 16 19%
Barnstable Wood Neck River 1/wk 16 19%
Barnstable Tahanto Associates, Inc. 1/wk 13 15%
Barnstable Kendal Lane 1/wk 20 15%
Barnstable Patiusset Beach 1/wk 14 14%
Barnstable Rock Harbor 1/wk 14 14%
Barnstable Saconessett Hills Association 1/wk 14 14%
Barnstable 451 Commerical Street 1/wk 15 13%
Barnstable Johnson Street 1/wk 15 13%
Barnstable Keyes 1/wk 15 13%
Barnstable Mayo 1/wk 15 13%
Barnstable Robbins Hill 1/wk 15 13%


County Beach Tier
Barnstable Ryder Street 1/wk 15 13%
Barnstable Saints Landing 1/wk 15 13%
Barnstable Town Landing - Breakwater 1/wk 15 13%
Barnstable Atkins Lane 1/wk 17 12%
Barnstable Cataumet 1/wk 13 8%
Barnstable Follins Pond 1/wk 13 8%
Barnstable Hideaway Village Association 1/wk 13 8%
Barnstable Maushup Village 1/wk 13 8%
Barnstable New Silver (Silver Beach Improvement Association) 1/wk 13 8%
Barnstable Quanset Harbor Club Association 1/wk 13 8%
Barnstable The Belmont 1/wk 13 8%
Barnstable 333 Commercial Street 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Baxter Avenue 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Bayview Street 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Boat Meadow 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Bone Hill 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Bridge Street 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Cockle Cove 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Colonial Acres 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Columbus Avenue 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Court Street 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Craigville 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Crocker’s Neck 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Crosby Landing 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Dyer Prince 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable East (Town) Beach 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable East Sandwich 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Fifth Ave (Boat Launch) 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Gray’s Beach 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Oyster Place 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Parkers River West 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Ropes 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Seconsett Island Causeway 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Surf Drive 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Town Cove 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable West End Lot 1/wk 14 7%
Barnstable Town Landing - Snail Road 1/wk 15 7%


County Beach Tier
Barnstable 379 Shore Road 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable 496 Shore Road 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Acapesket Improvement Association 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Atlantic Avenue 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Atlantic Avenue 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Ballston 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Bank Street 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Bass River 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Bass River 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Bayview 1/wk 10 0%
Barnstable Bayview 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Bikepath Beach 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Briarwood Marine And Science 1/wk 8 0%
Barnstable Bristol 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Bristol 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Brooks 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Burton Baker 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Cahoon Hollow 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Callies Beach 1/wk 11 0%
Barnstable Cedar Point Association 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Chapin Memorial 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Chapoquoit 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Chapoquoit Associates - Front Beach 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Chapoquoit Associates - Little Beach 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Chequesset Yacht And Country Club 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Coast Guard 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Coast Guard 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Coast Guard Town 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Cold Storage 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Cold Storage/Pond Village 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Cole Road 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Cook’s Brook 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Cordwood Road 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Corn Hill 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Corporation 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Cotuit Bay Shores Association 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Covell’s 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Craigville Beach Club 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Cross Street 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Dowses 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Duck Harbor 1/wk 13 0%


County Beach Tier
Barnstable Earl Road 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Electric Avenue 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Ellis Landing 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Estey Avenue 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Falmouth Associates - 564 Surf Drive 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Falmouth Heights 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Falmouth Heights 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Falmouth Yacht Club 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable First Encounter 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable First Encounter 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Glendon 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Gray Gables 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Great Hollow 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Grey Neck 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Haigis 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Harborview 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Hardings 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Hardings 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Head Of The Meadow (National) 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Head Of The Meadow (Town) 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Herring Cove 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Howes 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Indian Neck 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Indian Trail 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Inman Road 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Jetty Lane 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Kalmus Yacht 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Kellers Corner 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Kennedy Memorial 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Kent’s 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Kingsbury 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Lighthouse 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Linnell Landing 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Little Island Beach Preserve 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Little River Road 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Long Nook 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Loops 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Maguires Landing 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Marconi 1/wk 12 0%


County Beach Tier
Barnstable Mashpee Neck Road Landing 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Mayflower 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Meeting House Pond 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Megansett 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Menauhant 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Menauhant 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Merkel Beach (Snow Inn Road) 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Mill Road 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Nauset Light 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Nauset Light 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable New Seabury Inn 1/wk 11 0%
Barnstable Newcomb Hollow 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Nobska Beach Association 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Noon’s Landing 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Old Mill Point Association 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Old Mill Point Association 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Old Silver 1 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Old Silver Estates 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Omaha Road 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Oregon 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Oyster Harbors Club 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Oyster Pond 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Parkers River East 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Percilla’s Landing 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Pleasant Bay 1/wk 10 0%
Barnstable Pleasant Bay 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Pleasant Road 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Pocasset Beach Improvement Association 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Point Of Rocks 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Poponesset Spit 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Powers 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Provincetown Inn 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Race Point 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Raycroft 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Red River 1/wk 12 0%


County Beach Tier
Barnstable Ridgevale 1/wk 14 0%
Barnstable Ryder 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Sagamore 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Scateree 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Scraggy Neck Recreation Association 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Scudder Lane 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Scusset (Dcr - Dspr) 1/wk 14 0%
Barnstable Sea Street 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Sea Street East 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Seabreeze 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Seacoast Shores Associates, Inc. 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Seagull (Center) 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Seagull (Left) 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Seagull (Right) 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Seaside Park Improvement Association 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Seaview 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Silver Springs Association 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Skacket 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Skacket Beach Condos 1/wk 7 0%
Barnstable South Cape Beach (Dcr - Dspr) 1/wk 15 0%
Barnstable South Middle 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Stoney Beach (Mbl) 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Sullivan (Depot St.) 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Surf Drive 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Thatcher Town Park 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Thumpertown 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Town Landing Beach Point 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Town Neck (Boardwalk) 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Town Neck (Horizons) 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Trotting Park 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Veterans 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Wah Wah Taysee Road 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Wequasett Inn Resort 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable West Dennis 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable White Crest 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Wianno Avenue 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Wianno Club (Salt) 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Wilbur Park 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Wild Harbor 1/wk 12 0%


County Beach Tier
Barnstable Windmill 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Wings Neck Trust Association (South Beach) 1/wk 12 0%
Barnstable Wood Neck Beach 1/wk 13 0%
Barnstable Zylpha 1/wk 12 0%
Bristol Moses Smith Creek 1/wk 11 27%
Bristol Pearse 1/wk 15 27%
Bristol Hidden Bay 1/wk 10 20%
Bristol Apponagansett Town Beach 1/wk 13 15%
Bristol Manhattan Avenue 1/wk 14 14%
Bristol Sandy Beach 1/wk 14 14%
Bristol Cedar Cove 1/wk 8 13%
Bristol Fort Phoenix (Dcr - Dspr) 1/wk 17 12%
Bristol Raymond Street 1/wk 12 8%
Bristol 400 North 1/wk 13 8%
Bristol 400 South 1/wk 13 8%
Bristol Davy’s Locker 1/wk 13 8%
Bristol J. Beach 1/wk 13 8%
Bristol Jones Town Beach 1/wk 13 8%
Bristol Kids Beach 1/wk 13 8%
Bristol Squid 1/wk 13 8%
Bristol Town Beach 1/wk 13 8%
Bristol Anthony’s 1/wk 10 0%
Bristol Bayview 1/wk 10 0%
Bristol Cherry & Webb 1/wk 12 0%
Bristol Coles River Club Off Harbor Rd 1/wk 10 0%
Bristol Demarest Lloyd (Dcr - Dspr) 1/wk 15 0%
Bristol Elephant 1/wk 12 0%
Bristol Horseneck (Dcr - Sdpr) 1/wk 15 0%
Bristol Howland 1/wk 12 0%
Bristol Oak Hill Shores 1/wk 10 0%
Bristol O’tools 1/wk 12 0%
Bristol Seaview 1/wk 8 0%
Bristol Tabor South 1/wk 12 0%
Bristol Tower 1 1/wk 12 0%
Bristol Tower 4 1/wk 12 0%
Bristol West Island Causeway 1/wk 12 0%
Dukes Joseph Sylvia State Beach 1/wk 11 9%
Dukes Lake Street 1/wk 12 8%
Dukes Norton Point Beach 1/wk 12 8%
Dukes Philbin Beach 1/wk 12 8%
Dukes South Beach State Park 1/wk 12 8%


County Beach Tier
Dukes Squibnocket Beach 1/wk 12 8%
Dukes Great Pond @ Long Point 1/wk 13 8%
Dukes Bend In The Road 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Chappy Point Beach 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes East Beach (Chappy) 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Eastville Town Beach - Drawbridge 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Eastville Town Beach - Harbor 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Felix Neck 1/wk 5 0%
Dukes Fuller Street 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Great Rock Bight 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Lagoon Pond Herring Run 1/wk 13 0%
Dukes Lambert’s Cove Beach 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Lambert’s Cove Beach 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Lobsterville 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Marinelli (Jetty) Beach 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Menemsha 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Moshup Beach 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Ocean @ Edgartown Great Pond 1/wk 10 0%
Dukes Ocean @ Long Point 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Ocean @ Long Point 1/wk 12 0%
Dukes Ocean @ Lucy Vincent Beach 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Owen Little Way 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Owen Park 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Pay Beach 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Red Beach 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Sailing Camp Park 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Sepiessa Point 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Sound @ Wilfred’s Pond Reserve 1/wk 12 0%
Dukes Tashmoo Beach 1/wk 11 0%
Dukes Tashmoo Cut 1/wk 11 0%
Essex Children’s Island - Back 1/wk 10 40%
Essex Children’s Island - Tractor 1/wk 10 40%
Essex Ocean Avenue 1/wk 15 33%
Essex Stramski 1/wk 16 25%


County Beach Tier
Essex Sandy Beach 1/wk 13 23%
Essex Sandy Beach 1/wk 14 21%
Essex Willow Avenue 1/wk 14 21%
Essex Kings (Dcr-Dupr) 1/wk 24 21%
Essex Kings (Dcr-Dupr) 1/wk 24 21%
Essex West 1/wk 15 20%
Essex Canoe 1/wk 12 17%
Essex Nahant Beach (Dcr-Dupr) 1/wk 19 16%
Essex Mackey 1/wk 13 15%
Essex Brackenbury 1/wk 14 14%
Essex Dane Street 1/wk 14 14%
Essex Grace Oliver 1/wk 15 13%
Essex Children’s Island - Wally 1/wk 10 10%
Essex Clammer’s Beach 1/wk 13 8%
Essex Fisherman’s 1/wk 13 8%
Essex Goat Hill 1/wk 13 8%
Essex Independence Park 1/wk 13 8%
Essex Obear Park 1/wk 13 8%
Essex Preston 1/wk 13 8%
Essex Stacey 1/wk 13 8%
Essex Willows Pier 1/wk 13 8%
Essex Woodbury 1/wk 13 8%
Essex Gas House 1/wk 14 7%
Essex Magnolia 1/wk 15 7%
Essex Tuck’s Point 1/wk 15 7%
Essex West Manchester 1/wk 15 7%
Essex Back 1/wk 13 0%
Essex Black 1/wk 14 0%
Essex Cape Hedge 1/wk 5 0%
Essex Clark 1/wk 14 0%
Essex Collins Cove 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Cranes 1/wk 15 0%
Essex Cranes - Steep Hill 1/wk 15 0%
Essex Cressy’s 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Crocker Park 1/wk 10 0%
Essex Dead Horse 1/wk 11 0%
Essex Devereux 1/wk 13 0%
Essex Eisman’s 1/wk 12 0%


County Beach Tier
Essex Forest River Point 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Front 1/wk 13 0%
Essex Good Harbor 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Half Moon 1/wk 11 0%
Essex Juniper Point 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Kings North 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Little Neck 1/wk 14 0%
Essex Long 1/wk 13 0%
Essex Long 1/wk 13 0%
Essex Magnolia 1/wk 14 0%
Essex Mingo 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Niles 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Old Garden 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Osgood 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Pavillion 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Pavillion 1/wk 14 0%
Essex Pebble 1/wk 5 0%
Essex Phillips 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Plum Cove 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Plum Island 1/wk 14 0%
Essex Rice 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Salisbury (Dcr-Dspr) 1/wk 15 0%
Essex Singing 1/wk 14 0%
Essex Singing 1/wk 14 0%
Essex Tudor 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Village Street 1/wk 13 0%
Essex Whales 1/wk 12 0%
Essex White 1/wk 14 0%
Essex Wingearsheek 1/wk 12 0%
Essex Winter Island (Waikiki) 1/wk 12 0%
Nantucket Washington Street 1/wk 11 9%
Nantucket Children’s 1/wk 12 8%
Nantucket 40th Pole 1 1/wk 11 0%
Nantucket 40th Pole 2 1/wk 11 0%
Nantucket Cliffside 1/wk 11 0%
Nantucket Dionis 1/wk 10 0%
Nantucket Jettes 1/wk 11 0%


County Beach Tier
Nantucket Madaket 1/wk 11 0%
Nantucket Miacomet 1/wk 11 0%
Nantucket Sconset 1 1/wk 11 0%
Nantucket Sconset 2 1/wk 11 0%
Nantucket Sewerbeds 1/wk 11 0%
Nantucket Surfside 2 1/wk 11 0%
Nantucket Warren’s Landing 1/wk 11 0%
Nantucket Washing Pond 1/wk 11 0%
Norfolk Rhoda 1/wk 17 24%
Norfolk Heron 1/wk 15 20%
Norfolk Wollaston - Sachem Street 1 1/wk 72 15%
Norfolk Nickerson 1/wk 14 14%
Norfolk Parkhurst 1/wk 15 13%
Norfolk Wollaston - Channing Street 1 1/wk 71 10%
Norfolk Black Rock 1/wk 12 8%
Norfolk Wollaston - Milton Street 1 1/wk 70 7%
Norfolk Avalon 1/wk 14 7%
Norfolk Merrymount 1/wk 14 7%
Norfolk Wollaston - Rice Road 1 1/wk 71 6%
Norfolk Bassing’s (Sailing Club) 1/wk 13 0%
Norfolk Edgewater 1/wk 13 0%
Norfolk Mound 1/wk 13 0%
Norfolk Orchard Street 1/wk 13 0%
Norfolk Palmer 1/wk 13 0%
Norfolk Wessagusett (Old Wessagussett) 1/wk 12 0%
Norfolk Yacht Club 1/wk 13 0%
Plymouth River Road 1/wk 11 55%
Plymouth Oakdale Avenue 1/wk 11 27%
Plymouth Town Beach 1/wk 11 27%
Plymouth Hollywoods 1/wk 12 17%
Plymouth Little Harbor 1/wk 13 15%
Plymouth Landing Road 1/wk 16 13%
Plymouth Land Trust Reservation 1/wk 10 10%
Plymouth Mattapoisett Shores Association 1/wk 10 10%
Plymouth Dexter Lane 1/wk 11 9%
Plymouth Harbor 1 1/wk 11 9%
Plymouth Harbor 2 1/wk 11 9%
Plymouth Hollywoods 1/wk 11 9%
Plymouth Peases Point 1/wk 11 9%
Plymouth Piney Point 1/wk 11 9%
Plymouth Yacht Club 1/wk 12 8%


County Beach Tier
Plymouth Darcy’s 1/wk 13 8%
Plymouth Edgewater 1/wk 13 8%
Plymouth Duxbury 1/wk 15 7%
Plymouth 9th Road 1/wk 13 0%
Plymouth A Street Ocean 1/wk 12 0%
Plymouth Antasawomak 1/wk 10 0%
Plymouth Belair 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Beverly Yacht 1/wk 10 0%
Plymouth Brant Beach 1/wk 10 0%
Plymouth Brant Rock 1/wk 13 0%
Plymouth Briarwood 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Cliff Road 1/wk 4 0%
Plymouth Converse Point 1/wk 10 0%
Plymouth Crescent 1/wk 10 0%
Plymouth East Boulevard 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Egypt 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Fieldston 1/wk 13 0%
Plymouth Gray’s 1/wk 14 0%
Plymouth Green Harbor 1/wk 13 0%
Plymouth Gunrock 1/wk 12 0%
Plymouth Humarock 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Island Yacht 1/wk 10 0%
Plymouth Kenburma 1/wk 12 0%
Plymouth Kimball 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Melville 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Nantasket (Dcr-Dupr) 1/wk 15 0%
Plymouth Nantasket (Dcr-Dupr) 1/wk 15 0%
Plymouth Nelson Street 1/wk 12 0%
Plymouth Newport 1/wk 12 0%
Plymouth Onset 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Parkwood 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Peggotty 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Pinehurst 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Plymouth 1/wk 12 0%
Plymouth Point Connett 1/wk 10 0%
Plymouth Point Independence 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Residents Beach 1/wk 14 0%
Plymouth Rexhame 1/wk 13 0%
Plymouth Riverside Avenue 1/wk 11 0%


County Beach Tier
Plymouth Rocky Nook 1/wk 14 0%
Plymouth Sand Hills 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Seal Cove 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Shell Point 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Shipyard Lane 1/wk 14 0%
Plymouth Silver Shell 1/wk 10 0%
Plymouth Silver Shell 1/wk 10 0%
Plymouth Spring Street 1/wk 12 0%
Plymouth Swift’s 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Swift’s Neck 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Tabor Academy 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Tabor Academy 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Town Beach 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth Wampatuck 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth West End 1/wk 14 0%
Plymouth White Horse 1/wk 11 0%
Plymouth White Horse 1/wk 12 0%
Plymouth Whitehead 1/wk 12 0%
Plymouth Xyz 1/wk 12 0%
Suffolk Revere (Dcr-Dupr) 1/wk 19 16%
Suffolk Spectacle Island 1/wk 13 15%
Suffolk Constitution-Middle 1 1/wk 70 13%
Suffolk Constitution-North Site 1 1/wk 70 11%
Suffolk Revere (Dcr-Dupr) 1/wk 19 11%
Suffolk Savin Hill (Dcr-Dupr) 1/wk 19 11%
Suffolk Malibu (Dcr-Dupr) 1/wk 22 9%
Suffolk Grandview 1/wk 11 9%
Suffolk Halford 1/wk 11 9%
Suffolk City Point Beach 1 1/wk 70 9%
Suffolk Carson Beach-Bathhouse 1 1/wk 70 7%
Suffolk Short (Dcr-Dupr) 1/wk 16 6%
Suffolk Winthrop (Dcr-Dupr) 1/wk 16 6%
Suffolk Carson Beach-I St. 1 1/wk 70 6%
Suffolk M Street Beach 1 1/wk 68 0%
Suffolk Pico 1/wk 11 0%
Suffolk Yerrill 1/wk 11 0%
Closings
In 2006, 412 closings were issued at Massachusetts’ public coastal beaches. Total closing days for events lasting six con-
secutive weeks or less increased 61 percent, from 680 days in 2005 to 1,092 days in 2006. There were six extended clos-
ing events in Massachusetts in 2006 compared to two extended events in 2005. The increased number of closings was

due at least in part to heavier rainfall in 2006 than in 2005. Closings for events lasting six consecutive weeks or less at
Massachusetts’ 13 Tier 1 beaches increased from 38 days in 2004 to 80 days in 2005, then increased again to 444 days in
2006. During the time period over which this steady increase in closing days occurred, the overall monitoring frequency
at these beaches initially declined.
Closing Issuance: If a bacterial exceedance is found at either a marine or freshwater beach, a closure sign must be posted
by the local board of health.3 Resampling to confirm results is not conducted before closing the beach. Sampling results
are displayed on the MDPH beaches public website within six hours of being validated, and MDPH has to be notified of
exceedances within 24 hours.2 At some of the larger beaches in Massachusetts where multiple samples are taken, the local
board of health and/or MDPH determines the appropriate portion of the beach to close when only one sample exceeds.
At a minimum, the section of the beach where the sample exceeded the standard must be posted.2
Reopening Procedures: When an exceedance is found, beachwater is generally sampled every day until the standards are
met and the beach is reopened.
Causes of Closings: Sixty-six percent (722) of closure days for events lasting six consecutive weeks or less in 2006 were
due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels from unknown sources of contamination, and 34 percent (370)
were preemptive rainfall closures.
2006 Massachusetts Marine and Estuarine Beach Closings/Advisories

Barnstable 29 Commercial Street 7/6 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable 451 Commerical Street 6/21 6/22 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable 451 Commerical Street 7/19 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Atkins Lane 7/19 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Boat Meadow 8/15 8/16 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Bone Hill 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Breakwater Landing 6/9 6/10 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Bridge Street 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Bucks Creek 6/14 6/17 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Cataumet 7/7 7/8 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Cockle Cove 7/6 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Cockle Cove Creek 6/5 9/4 Bacteria (?)


Barnstable Cockle Cove Creek 6/5 9/4 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Court Street 7/19 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Craigville 7/6 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Crocker’s Neck 7/11 7/12 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Crosby Landing 6/9 6/10 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Dyer Prince 7/25 7/26 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable East (Town) Beach 7/6 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable East Sandwich 6/9 6/10 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Fifth Ave (Boat Launch) 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Follins Pond 8/30 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Fore River Smith Beach 7/6 7/11 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Fore River Smith Beach 7/27 7/28 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Forest Beach Road 7/11 7/12 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Hideaway Village Association 7/13 7/14 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Johnson Street 8/2 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Johnson Street 8/16 8/17 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Kendal Lane 7/12 7/14 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Keyes 6/27 6/28 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Keyes 7/6 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Oyster Place 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Paines Creek 6/9 6/10 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Patiusset Beach 7/7 7/8 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Patiusset Beach 7/13 7/14 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Pleasant Street 7/11 7/12 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Poponesset 8/25 8/26 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Prince Cove 6/27 6/28 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Quanset Harbor Club Association 6/15 6/16 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Robbins Hill 6/9 6/10 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Robbins Hill 6/16 6/17 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Rock Harbor 7/13 7/15 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Ropes 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Ryder Street 7/19 7/20 Bacteria (?)


Barnstable Saints Landing 6/9 6/10 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Saints Landing 6/22 6/23 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Surf Drive 8/2 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Tahanto Associates, Inc. 7/7 7/11 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Town Cove 7/13 7/14 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Town Cove 7/18 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Town Landing - Breakwater 7/19 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Town Landing - Breakwater 8/2 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Town Landing - Snail Road 7/19 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Town Landing - Snail Road 8/2 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Town Landing West Of Coast Guard 6/21 6/22 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable West End Lot 6/14 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Barnstable Wood Neck River 6/21 6/22 Bacteria (?)
Bristol 400 North 8/29 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Bristol 400 South 8/29 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Apponagansett Town Beach 6/27 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Cedar Cove 6/28 6/30 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Cedar Cove 8/30 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Fort Phoenix (Dcr - Dspr) 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Hidden Bay 6/27 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Bristol J. Beach 8/29 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Kids Beach 8/29 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Manhattan Avenue 6/28 6/30 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Manhattan Avenue 8/30 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Moses Smith Creek 8/1 8/8 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Moses Smith Creek 8/8 8/22 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Pearse 6/7 6/14 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Raymond Street 8/30 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Salter’s Point South 6/27 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Sandy Beach 6/28 6/30 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Sandy Beach 8/30 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Squid 8/29 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Bristol Town Beach 6/28 6/30 Bacteria (?)


Dukes Great Pond @ Long Point 8/22 8/26 Bacteria (?)
Dukes Lake Street 8/23 8/24 Bacteria (?)
Dukes Ocean @ Chilmark Pond Preserve 8/9 8/11 Bacteria (?)
Essex Canoe 6/15 6/22 Bacteria (?)
Essex Canoe 8/31 9/4 Bacteria (?)
Essex Children’s Island - Back 7/6 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Essex Children’s Island - Tractor 6/29 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Essex Children’s Island - Wally 7/13 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Essex Fisherman’s 7/14 7/15 Bacteria (?)
Essex Gas House 7/14 7/15 Bacteria (?)
Essex Goat Hill 8/3 8/4 Bacteria (?)
Essex Grace Oliver 7/14 7/26 Bacteria (?)
Essex Kings (Dcr-Dupr) 7/14 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Essex Kings North 7/14 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Essex Kings North 7/28 8/1 Bacteria (?)
Essex Mackey 7/13 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Essex Magnolia 8/17 8/18 Bacteria (?)
Essex Nahant Beach (Dcr-Dupr) 8/25 8/27 Bacteria (?)
Essex Naumkeag 6/14 9/4 Bacteria (?)
Essex Ocean Avenue 6/29 6/30 Bacteria (?)
Essex Pickman 6/14 9/4 Bacteria (?)
Essex Pioneer 7/13 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Essex Preston 7/14 7/15 Bacteria (?)
Essex Sandy Beach 7/6 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Essex Sandy Beach 7/14 7/17 Bacteria (?)
Essex Stacey 7/14 7/15 Bacteria (?)
Essex Stramski 7/6 7/8 Bacteria (?)


Essex Sunset Road 7/6 7/8 Bacteria (?)
Essex Tuck’s Point 8/17 8/18 Bacteria (?)
Essex West 7/14 7/18 Bacteria (?)
Essex West Manchester 8/17 8/18 Bacteria (?)
Essex Willow Avenue 6/29 6/30 Bacteria (?)
Essex Willow Avenue 7/13 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Nantucket Children’s 8/30 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Nantucket Washington Street 8/30 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Avalon 8/17 8/18 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Bassing’s (Sailing Club) 7/12 8/2 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Black Rock 7/19 7/21 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Broady (Baker) 6/22 6/23 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Chikatawbot 6/22 6/23 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Heron 6/22 6/23 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Heron 9/7 9/8 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Merrymount 6/22 6/23 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Nickerson 9/7 9/8 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Parkhurst 8/10 8/11 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Parkhurst 9/7 9/8 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Rhoda 6/15 6/16 Bacteria (?)
Norfolk Wollaston (Dcr-Dupr) 8/24 8/25 Bacteria (?)


Norfolk Wollaston (Dcr-Dupr) 5/27 5/30 Prempt-rain (?)


Norfolk Yacht Club 7/12 7/26 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth A Street Bay Side 8/16 8/18 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Darcy’s 8/16 8/18 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Dexter Lane 6/27 6/28 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Duxbury 8/9 8/11 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Edgewater 8/16 8/18 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Landing Road 6/22 6/23 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Landing Road 7/19 7/21 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Oakdale Avenue 6/27 6/29 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Oakdale Avenue 8/29 9/4 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Piney Point 8/29 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Planting Island 8/29 9/4 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth River Road 6/27 9/4 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Tabor Academy 6/27 6/28 Prempt-rain (?)
Plymouth Tabor Academy 6/27 6/28 Prempt-rain (?)
Plymouth White Horse 6/22 9/4 Bacteria (?)
Plymouth Yacht Club 8/31 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Carson Beach (Dcr-Dupr) 6/6 6/7 Bacteria (?)


Suffolk Carson Beach (Dcr-Dupr) 6/3 6/5 Prempt-rain (?)
Suffolk City Point Beach @ Point (Dcr-Dupr) 7/7 7/14 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk City Point Beach @ Point (Dcr-Dupr) 6/3 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Suffolk Constitution (Dcr-Dupr) 6/13 6/16 Bacteria (?)


Suffolk Constitution (Dcr-Dupr) 6/3 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Suffolk Donovans 7/20 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Grandview 7/20 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Halford 8/12 8/17 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk M Street Beach @ M Street (Dcr-Dupr) 6/3 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)


Suffolk Malibu (Dcr-Dupr) 7/14 7/16 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Malibu (Dcr-Dupr) 7/16 8/1 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Malibu (Dcr-Dupr) 6/3 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Suffolk Pleasure Bay (Dcr-Dupr) 6/10 6/13 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Pleasure Bay (Dcr-Dupr) 6/3 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Suffolk Revere (Dcr-Dupr) 7/14 7/16 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Savin Hill (Dcr-Dupr) 7/7 7/8 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Savin Hill (Dcr-Dupr) 7/14 7/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Savin Hill (Dcr-Dupr) 6/3 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Suffolk Short (Dcr-Dupr) 8/4 8/5 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Spectacle Island 7/21 7/22 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Spectacle Island 8/4 8/5 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Tenean (Dcr-Dupr) 6/6 6/7 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Tenean (Dcr-Dupr) 5/27 5/31 Prempt-rain (?)


Suffolk Winthrop (Dcr-Dupr) 8/4 8/5 Bacteria (?)
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Preempt rain, preemptive due to heavy rainfall; (?), unknown.
Notes
2 Chris Huskie, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, personal communication, June 2007.
3 Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Marine and Freshwater Beach Testing in Massachusetts Annual Report 2005 Season, June 2006.

Michigan
Michigan has 594 public beaches1 stretching along 546 miles of Great Lakes coastline. The Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality (MDEQ)—contracting mostly with local health departments but also with municipalities,
environmental groups, regional planning agencies, and universities that agree to work closely with local health depart-
ments—administers Michigan’s beach monitoring program.
Monitoring and notification activities take place in 38
counties. Iron, Dickinson, and Tuscola counties are the of samples exceeding the standard
only counties with Great Lakes coastline that do not report increased to 4 percent in 2006 from
public beaches, and none of the public beaches in Luce
3 percent in 2005.
and Gogebic counties are monitored. Michigan conducts
monitoring activities at inland lakes as well, but only Great Lakes beaches are covered in this report. MDEQ has made an
effort to integrate beach monitoring data into water pollution prevention programs to encourage strategic improvements
in water quality.2
More than a third of Michigan’s beaches are monitored between April and October. Both advisories and closings were
issued in 2006.
Michigan received a $278,450 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $278,450 grant in 2007. The
state contributes $100,000 in grants for inland lake beach monitoring. Local funding requirements for the beach moni-
toring and notification program is at least $33,000 (matching funds are required for BEACH Act grant monies) and the
total amount of local funding is estimated to be between $200,000 and $300,000 each year.3 Tourism in Michigan con-
tributes about $17.5 billion to the state’s economy and generates 192,700 related jobs.
Standards
Standards: Water quality standards recommended by state law in Michigan in 2002 are less stringent than EPA standards
for full-body water contact recreation in fresh water. The EPA’s recommended standard for such circumstances are an
E. coli concentration of 126 cfu/100 ml for the geometric mean of five samples collected over 30 days, and 235 cfu/
100 ml for a single sample. The standards in use in Michigan are a geometric mean of E. coli of 130 cfu/100 ml for five
sampling events over 30 days and a single-sample maximum for one sampling event of 300 cfu/100 ml.4 These standards
are viewed by EPA as consistent with the requirements of the BEACH Act.1 Rainfall or other conditions may be used to
make closing and advisory decisions as well.3 However, there are no preemptive rainfall advisory standards. Known sew-
age spills trigger a preemptive advisory.
Monitoring
Frequency: A total of 207 beaches, all Tier 1, were regularly monitored and had their monitoring data maintained in
Michigan in 2006.3 These beaches represent 71 miles of Great Lakes coastline. Of these beaches, 203 were monitored
once a week and four were monitored two or more times per week.3 Beaches in Michigan are prioritized for monitoring
based on known or potential sources of contamination; other conditions related to water quality, human exposure, and
beach use, including the importance of the beach to the local economy; and community input. Tier 1 beaches have pub-
lic access, high bather densities, and may have known or potential sources of contamination. All Tier 1 beaches are moni-
tored at least five times per 30-day period. Tier 2 beaches, which have public access and may have known or potential
sources of contamination, are monitored but not as frequently as Tier 1 beaches; many Tier 2 beaches, for example, may
have had only one sample collected during the year.3 No Tier 3 beaches were monitored in 2006.
Practice: Samples are taken in the morning, one foot below the surface in water that is three to six feet deep. At least
three simultaneous samples are taken during each sampling event, and the results of these three samples are averaged to
MI.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

determine whether the water meets standards.4 Results are known 18 to 24 hours after samples are delivered to a lab.
Regularly scheduled samples are collected early in the week; follow-up samples may be collected any day from Monday
through Thursday. Samples may be collected any day of the week under unique circumstances.3
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Michigan’s
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Crescent Sail Yacht Club in Wayne County
(35%), followed by Mackinaw City Lighthouse Park in Cheboygan County (23%), Wilderness State Park in Emmet
County (23%), Whites Beach in Arenac County (20%), SCS Blossom Heath Beach in Macomb County (20%), East
Bay Beach at Traverse City State Park in Grand Traverse County (19%), Cross Village Beach in Emmet County (17%),
Lexington County Park in Sanilac County (17%).
Seventy-six percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Alcona,
Alpena, Baraga, Benzie, Berrien, Delta, Houghton, Huron, Iosco, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Mackinac, Marquette, Mason,
Monroe, Muskegon, Ontonagon, Presque Isle, and Schoolcraft counties reported no exceedances in 2006. The table
below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches reported
in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Alcona Harrisville State Park 1 1/wk 6 0%
Alger Public Shoreline Beach-Au Train To Five Mile Pts None 9 11%
Alger Miners Beach None 7 0%
Alger Private Shoreline Beach-W Co Border- Au Train Bay None 8 0%
Allegan West Side County Park Beach 1 1/wk 16 6%
Allegan Douglas Beach 1 1/wk 15 0%
Allegan Oval Beach 1 1/wk 15 0%
Allegan Pier Cove Beach 1 1/wk 15 0%
Alpena Blair Street Park 1 3/wk 5 0%
Alpena Michekewis Beach 1 3/wk 5 0%
Alpena Ossineke Beach 1 3/wk 5 0%
Alpena Starlite Beach 1 3/wk 5 0%
Alpena Thompson Park 1 3/wk 5 0%
Antrim Banks Twp. Park 1 1/wk 11 9%
Antrim Antrim County Day Park South 1 1/wk 10 0%
Antrim Barnes Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Antrim Elk Rapids 1 1/wk 10 0%
Antrim Veterans Memorial Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Arenac Whites Beach 1 1/wk 15 20%
Arenac Twining Rd. Beach 1 1/wk 14 14%
Arenac Singing Bridge Beach 1 1/wk 15 13%
Arenac Dyer Rd. Beach 1 1/wk 14 7%
Arenac Foster Rd. Beach 1 1/wk 14 7%


County Beach Tier
Arenac Arenac County Park 1 1/wk 13 0%
Arenac Bessinger Rd. Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
Arenac Hammel Beach Rd. Access 1 1/wk 13 0%
Baraga Lanse Waterfront Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Bay Brissette Beach Township Park 1 1/wk 15 7%
Bay South Linwood Beach Township Park 1 1/wk 15 7%
Bay Bay City State Recreation Area 1 1/wk 14 0%
Bay Pinconning Park 1 1/wk 14 0%
Bay Wenona Beach 1 1/wk 14 0%
Benzie Frankfort: Anchor Rd Beach 1 3/wk 14 0%
Berrien Cherry Beach 1 1/wk 1 0%
Berrien Grand Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
Berrien Hagar Township Park 1 1/wk 14 0%
Berrien Harbert Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
Berrien Jean Klock Park 1 1/wk 15 0%
Berrien Lincoln Township Park 1 1/wk 14 0%
Berrien Lions Park 1 1/wk 13 0%
Berrien Michiana Village 1 1/wk 12 0%
Berrien New Buffalo City 1 1/wk 14 0%
Berrien Rocky Gap 1 1/wk 14 0%
Berrien Silver Beach 1 1/wk 15 0%
Berrien Tiscornia Park 1 1/wk 14 0%
Berrien Warren Dunes Beach 1 1/wk 14 0%
Berrien Weko Beach 1 1/wk 14 0%
Charlevoix Ferry Beach 1 1/wk 10 10%
Charlevoix East Jordan Bridge 1 1/wk 11 9%
Charlevoix Norwood Park 1 1/wk 11 9%
Charlevoix Peninsula Beach 1 1/wk 11 9%
Charlevoix Depot Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Charlevoix East Jordan Tourist Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Charlevoix Elm Point Beach 1 1/wk 11 0%
Charlevoix Fisherman’s Island State Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Charlevoix Lake Michigan Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Charlevoix Mt. Mcsauba Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Charlevoix Tannery Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Charlevoix Whiting Park Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Charlevoix Young State Park Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Cheboygan Mackinaw City Lighthouse Park 1 3/wk 13 23%
Cheboygan Wawatam City Park 1 3/wk 12 8%
Cheboygan Cheboygan City Park 1 3/wk 5 0%
Cheboygan Cheboygan State Park Duncan Bay 1 3/wk 5 0%


County Beach Tier
Cheboygan Ditta Park 1 3/wk 5 0%
Cheboygan Mill Creek Public Access 1 3/wk 5 0%
Chippewa Sugar Island Township Park 1 1/wk 21 10%
Chippewa Bayview Campground 1 1/wk 17 0%
Chippewa Big Pines Beach 1 1/wk 17 0%
Chippewa Brimley State Park 1 1/wk 17 0%
Chippewa Detour Albany Beach 1 1/wk 16 0%
Chippewa Four Mile Beach 1 1/wk 17 0%
Chippewa Sherman Park 1 1/wk 18 0%
Delta Escanaba Bathing Beach 1/wk 3 0%
Delta Gladstone Bathing Beach/Van Cleve Park 1/wk 3 0%
Emmet Wilderness State Park 1 1/wk 13 23%
Emmet Cross Village Beach 1 1/wk 12 17%
Emmet Mackinaw City Beach #1 1 1/wk 11 9%
Emmet Mackinaw City Beach #2 1 1/wk 11 9%
Emmet Petoskey State Park 1 1/wk 11 9%
Emmet Thorne Swift Preserve 1 1/wk 11 9%
Emmet Zoll Street Beach 1 1/wk 11 9%
Emmet Magnus Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Emmet Middle Village Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Emmet Readmond Township Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Emmet Zorn Park - Harbor Springs 1 1/wk 10 0%
Grand Traverse East Bay Beach At Traverse City State Park 1 3/wk 16 19%
Grand Traverse Bryant Park Beach 1 3/wk 15 13%
Grand Traverse Clinch Park 1 3/wk 14 7%
Grand Traverse Milliken Beach 1 3/wk 15 7%
Grand Traverse West End Beach 1 1/wk 15 7%
Grand Traverse East Bay Park 1 3/wk 5 0%
Houghton Agate Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Houghton Chassell Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Houghton Hancock City Beach 1 1/wk 11 0%
Houghton Houghton City Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Houghton Lake Linden Campground Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Houghton Mclain State Park Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Houghton Sandy Bottom Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Huron Bird Creek County Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Huron Caseville County Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Huron Harbor Beach City Park 1 None 10 0%
Huron Jenks County Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Huron Lighthouse County Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Huron Mcgraw County Park 1 1/wk 10 0%


County Beach Tier
Huron Oak Beach County Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Huron Philp County Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Huron Port Crescent State Park - Camping Area 1 1/wk 10 0%
Huron Port Crescent State Park - Day Use 1 1/wk 10 0%
Huron Sleeper State Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Huron Thompson Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Iosco Alabaster Township 1 1/wk 6 0%
Iosco Ausable Township Park 1 1/wk 6 0%
Iosco East Tawas City Park 1 1/wk 6 0%
Iosco M-Dot Roadside Park 1 1/wk 6 0%
Iosco Oscoda Township Beach 1 1/wk 6 0%
Iosco Tawas City Park 1 1/wk 6 0%
Iosco Tawas Point State Park Campground 1 1/wk 6 0%
Iosco Tawas Point State Park-Day Use Area 1 1/wk 6 0%
Keweenaw Eagle Harbor Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Leelanau Empire Municipal Beach 1 3/wk 14 0%
Leelanau Northport Bay 1 3/wk 14 0%
Leelanau Suttons Bay Park 1 3/wk 14 0%
Mackinac Us 2 Roadside East Of Brevort 1 1/wk 9 0%
Macomb Scs Blossom Heath Beach 1 2/wk 46 20%
Macomb New Baltimore Park Beach 1 2/wk 46 9%
Macomb Hcma - Metropolitan Beach Metropark 1 2/wk 48 6%
Macomb St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach 1 2/wk 46 4%
Manistee Magoon Creek 1 1/wk 11 9%
Manistee Onekama Township Beach 1 1/wk 11 9%
Manistee Sundling Park 1 1/wk 11 9%
Manistee Arcadia Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Manistee Bar Lake Outlet 1 1/wk 10 0%
Manistee Fifth Avenue Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Manistee First Street Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Manistee Orchard Beach State Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Manistee Pierport Township Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Marquette Marquette South Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
Marquette Mccartys Cove 1 1/wk 13 0%
Marquette North Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
Marquette North Of Picnic Rocks 1 1/wk 13 0%
Marquette Picnic Rocks 1 1/wk 13 0%
Mason Bass Lake Outlet Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Mason Buttersville Park Beach 1 1/wk 9 0%
Mason Ludington State Park Campground Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Mason South Pier Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%


County Beach Tier
Mason South Summit Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Mason Sterns Park Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Mason Summit Township Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Menominee Henes Park 1 1/wk 18 11%
Menominee Memorial Beach 1 1/wk 17 0%
Monroe Estral Beach 1 1/wk 5 0%
Monroe Luna Pier City Beach 1 1/wk 7 0%
Monroe North Cape Yacht Club 1 1/wk 5 0%
Monroe Sterling State Park 1 1/wk 5 0%
Monroe Woodland Beach 1 1/wk 6 0%
Muskegon Bronson/Kruse Park 1 1/wk 5 0%
Muskegon Duck Lake Channel Beach 1 1/wk 5 0%
Muskegon Lake Harbor Park 1 1/wk 5 0%
Muskegon Lighthouse/Sylvan Beach 1 1/wk 5 0%
Muskegon Medbury Park Beach 1 1/wk 5 0%
Muskegon Meinert County Park 1 1/wk 5 0%
Muskegon Muskegon State Park 1 1/wk 5 0%
Muskegon Old Channel Beach 1 1/wk 5 0%
Muskegon Pere Marquette Park 1 1/wk 9 0%
Muskegon Pioneer County Park 1 1/wk 5 0%
Muskegon Pj Hoffmaster State Park - Campground 1 1/wk 5 0%
Muskegon Pj Hoffmaster State Park - Public Beach Area 1 1/wk 5 0%
Oceana Whiskey Creek 1 1/wk 10 10%
Oceana Claybanks Township Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Oceana Lighthouse Beach At Silver Lake State Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Oceana Mears State Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Oceana Silver Creek Channel 1 1/wk 10 0%
Oceana Stony Lake Channel 1 1/wk 10 0%
Ontonagon Ontonagon Township Park And Campground 1 1/wk 11 0%
Ontonagon Porcupine Mountains State Park 1 1/wk 10 0%
Ottawa Kirk Park 1 1/wk 14 7%
Ottawa Kouw Park 1 1/wk 15 7%
Ottawa Tunnel Park 1 1/wk 15 7%
Ottawa Windsnest Park 1 1/wk 15 7%
Ottawa Grand Haven City Beach 1 1/wk 14 0%
Ottawa Grand Haven State Park 1 1/wk 14 0%
Ottawa Holland State Park 1 1/wk 14 0%
Ottawa North Beach Park 1 1/wk 14 0%
Ottawa Rosy Mound Recreation Area 1 1/wk 14 0%
Presque Isle Hoeft State Park-South 1 3/wk 5 0%
Presque Isle Lakeside Park(Rogers City) 1 3/wk 5 0%


County Beach Tier
Presque Isle Presque Isle Harbor Beach 1 3/wk 5 0%
Sanilac Lexington County Park 1 1/wk 6 17%
Sanilac Forester County Park 1 1/wk 6 0%
Sanilac Lexington Beach 1 1/wk 6 0%
Sanilac Port Sanilac Park 1 1/wk 6 0%
Schoolcraft Rogers Beach 1 1/wk 9 0%
St Clair Chrysler Park Beach 1 1/wk 15 13%
St Clair Conger-Lighthouse Beach 1 1/wk 15 13%
St Clair Keewadhin Road Beach 1 1/wk 17 12%
St Clair Holland Road Beach 1 1/wk 16 6%
St Clair Lakeside Beach 1 1/wk 16 6%
St Clair Washington Street Park 1 1/wk 16 6%
St Clair Burtchville Township Park 1 1/wk 15 0%
St Clair Jeddo Road Beach 1 1/wk 14 0%
St Clair Krafft Road Beach 1 1/wk 12 0%
St Clair Lakeport State Campground 1 1/wk 15 0%
St Clair Lakeport State Park 1 1/wk 15 0%
St Clair Marine City Beach 1 1/wk 15 0%
St Clair Marine City Diving Area 1 1/wk 15 0%
St Clair Metcalf Road Beach 1 1/wk 12 0%
Van Buren Van Buren State Park Beach 1 1/wk 13 8%
Van Buren Covert Township Park Beach 1 1/wk 13 0%
Van Buren South Haven North Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Van Buren South Haven South Beach 1 1/wk 12 0%
Wayne Crescent Sail Yacht Club 1 2/wk 40 35%
Wayne Pier Park 1 2/wk 44 16%

Twenty advisories and 33 closures were issued at Great Lakes beaches in Michigan in 2006. Total closing and advisory
days for events lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased 47 percent to 124 in 2006 from 234 in 2005. There were
one extended and three permanent advisory and closing events in Michigan in 2006 compared to no extended and one
permanent advisory/closing event in 2005. The greatest decrease in closing and advisory days was in Arenac County,
with 100 days in 2005 compared to 31 days in 2006. Closings and advisories at Michigan’s Tier 1 beaches decreased
from 244 days in 2004 to 234 days in 2005, then decreased again to 124 days in 2006. This steady decrease in closing
and advisory days from 2004 to 2006 occurred despite a small increase in the monitoring frequency of these beaches
over that time period.
Closing/Advisory Issuance: Closings and advisories are issued without resampling. However, factors other than sample
exceedance can be considered before issuing a closing or advisory in some counties.3 Bay County, for example, takes
weather, runoff, and known causes of contamination into account before issuing closings and advisories.
Michigan state law recommends but does not require monitoring of beachwater quality. However, the law requires
signs to be posted at the main entrance of public beaches telling the public whether the beach is tested for swimmer

safety and where the results can be obtained. Long stretches of beach or beaches at road ends that are not advertised as
public bathing beaches do not need to have advisory signs posted.1 The law also gives local health officers the authority
to test beachwater for swimmer safety, and if monitoring is performed, the results must be directly communicated within
36 hours to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as to the beach owner, beach operator, city, vil-
lage, or township in which the bathing beach is located. However, even if state bacterial standards are exceeded, the law
recommends but does not require public notification. Instead, it allows the health officer to petition the circuit court of
the county for an injunction ordering the beach to be closed. Monitoring results for Michigan beaches that are moni-
tored using funds received through a federal BEACH Act grant, however, must be made available to the public, and the
public must be notified when an advisory is issued or a beach is closed. Closings and advisories can be issued for a section
of a beach instead of a whole beach.
Reopening Procedures: Depending on the local health department, the monitoring frequency of a beach that has been
closed or placed under advisory can be increased. Beaches are reopened when standards are met.
Causes of Closings/Advisories: All 124 of closing and advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated
bacteria levels from unknown sources of contamination.
2006 Michigan Great Lakes Beach Closings/Advisories

Allegan West Side County Park Beach 7/18 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Antrim Banks Twp. Park 8/16 8/18 Bacteria (?)
Arenac Dyer Rd. Beach 7/19 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Arenac Foster Rd. Beach 8/30 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Arenac Singing Bridge Beach 7/19 7/28 Bacteria (?)
Arenac Twining Rd. Beach 7/19 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Arenac Whites Beach 6/28 6/29 Bacteria (?)
Bay Brissette Beach Township Park 7/19 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Bay South Linwood Beach Township Park 8/22 8/23 Bacteria (?)
Charlevoix Ferry Beach 8/2 8/4 Bacteria (?)
Charlevoix Fisherman’s Island State Park 8/8 8/9 Bacteria (?)
Charlevoix Norwood Park 8/8 8/11 Bacteria (?)
Charlevoix Peninsula Beach 8/2 8/4 Bacteria (?)
Cheboygan Mackinaw City Lighthouse Park 7/26 8/1 Bacteria (?)
Chippewa Sugar Island Township Park 6/7 12/31 Prempt-sew Sanitary-sew-over
Emmet Cross Village Beach 7/25 7/26 Bacteria (?)
Emmet Cross Village Beach 8/15 8/17 Bacteria (?)
Emmet Mackinaw City Beach #1 7/19 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Emmet Mackinaw City Beach #2 7/25 7/26 Bacteria (?)
Emmet Petoskey State Park 8/15 8/17 Bacteria (?)
Emmet Thorne Swift Preserve 7/25 7/26 Bacteria (?)
Emmet Wilderness State Park 7/19 7/20 Bacteria (?)


Emmet Zoll Street Beach 7/19 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Macomb Hcma - Metropolitan Beach Metropark 6/29 6/30 Bacteria (?)
Macomb New Baltimore Park Beach 8/3 8/4 Bacteria (?)
Macomb New Baltimore Park Beach 9/12 12/31 Bacteria (?)
Macomb Scs Blossom Heath Beach 6/27 8/10 Bacteria (?)
Macomb Scs Blossom Heath Beach 8/15 9/14 Bacteria (?)
Macomb St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach 7/13 7/14 Bacteria (?)
Manistee Magoon Creek 7/18 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Manistee Onekama Township Beach 7/18 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Manistee Sundling Park 7/18 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Oceana Whiskey Creek 7/11 7/13 Bacteria (?)
Ottawa Kirk Park 6/22 6/23 Bacteria (?)
Ottawa Kouw Park 6/22 6/23 Bacteria (?)
Ottawa Tunnel Park 6/22 6/23 Bacteria (?)
Ottawa Windsnest Park 6/22 6/23 Bacteria (?)
Sanilac Port Sanilac Park 7/11 7/14 Bacteria (?)
St Clair Chrysler Park Beach 7/13 7/14 Bacteria (?)
St Clair Chrysler Park Beach 7/27 7/28 Bacteria (?)
St Clair Holland Road Beach 8/16 8/17 Bacteria (?)
St Clair Keewadhin Road Beach 7/11 7/13 Bacteria (?)
St Clair Keewadhin Road Beach 8/1 8/2 Bacteria (?)
St Clair Lakeside Beach 8/16 8/17 Bacteria (?)
St Clair Washington Street Park 8/1 8/2 Bacteria (?)
Van Buren Van Buren State Park Beach 6/20 6/21 Bacteria (?)
Wayne Crescent Sail Yacht Club 6/8 12/31 Bacteria (?)
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Preempt-sew, preemptive due to sewage discharge or spill; Sanitary-sew-
over, sanitary sewer overflow; (?), unknown.
Notes
1 Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Annual Report for the Beach Act Program Implementation Grant, CU965106, not dated.
3 Shannon Briggs, MDEQ, personal communication, June 2007.
4 Michigan Regulation 323.1062 of the Part 4. Water Quality Standards (WQS) promulgated under Part 31, Water Resources Protection, of the Natural
Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, Subrule 62(1).

Minnesota
The Minnesota Lake Superior Beach Monitoring Program is administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA). MPCA partners with the Department of Natural Resources, the county health departments, and private and
public organizations in the region to achieve the objectives
of the program. Minnesota has approximately 58 public
beach miles in a total of 79 public beaches along the Lake of samples exceeding the standard
Superior coastline. Only three counties in Minnesota bor- increased to 14 percent in 2006 from
der Lake Superior: St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties. 12 percent in 2005.
Each county monitors about half of its Great Lakes public
beaches at least once a week, from the week before Memorial Day to the week after Labor Day. Inland lakes in Minnesota
are subject to more recreational water contact than Lake Superior, but are not covered under the BEACH Act or in this
report.
There were few wind and rain events during the 2006 season, which resulted in a quiet summer for beach advisories.1
Minnesota does not issue beach closures; its policy is to issue advisories only.2 Nearly all of the sampling exceedances were
for beaches in the Duluth area. Three of the monitored beaches in the Duluth area (Park Point Southworth Marsh Beach,
Park Point 20th Street/Hearding Island Canal Beach, and Park Point New Duluth Boat Club Boat Landing/14th Street
Beach2) were under advisory for most of June, July, and August.
Minnesota received a $204,440 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $204,390 grant in 2007. The
federal grants fully fund the Minnesota beach monitoring and notification program.
Standards
Standards: Since 2003, Minnesota has been using the BEACH Act–required E. coli standards (an instantaneous single-
sample standard of 235 cfu/100ml and a geometric mean of 126 cfu/100ml for the five most recent samples collected
during a 30-day period) for making advisory decisions. Minnesota has no preemptive standards, but does post advisories
after known sewage overflows or other events that are considered likely to result in high bacteria levels.2
Monitoring
Frequency: As in 2005, forty-nine percent (39) of Minnesota’s public Great Lakes beaches, representing 30 beach miles, were
monitored at least once a week in 2006. In Minnesota, beaches are prioritized based on the potential for impacts from
storm water runoff, bather and waterfowl loads, and the location of wastewater treatment outfalls and farms. In 2006,
nine beaches were assigned high priority (Tier 1) and were sampled twice a week (on Mondays and Thursdays). Thirty
beaches were assigned medium priority (Tier 2) and were sampled once a week (on Mondays). The remaining 40 beaches
(Tier 3), which typically receive sporadic use, have limited access, and have few if any potential sources of pollution in
the area, were not sampled.
Practice: The sampling method is to collect the samples at a depth of six to 12 inches in water that is knee deep. Samples
are received by the lab within six hours of being taken, and results are available 24 to 48 hours after that.
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Minnesota’s
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Park Point, Southworth Marsh, and Duluth
(41%), followed by St. Louis Bay, Pk Pt 20th/Hearding Is, Duluth (32%), and St. Louis Bay, Pk Pt Boat Club/14th St,
Duluth (15%), all in St. Louis County.
MN.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Seventy percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Cook County
had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (80%), followed by St. Louis (72%), and Lake counties

County Beach Tier
Beach: Lk Sup, Durfee Ck Mouth NE of Grand
Cook 2 1/wk 18 6%
Marais
Beach: Lk Sup, Old Shore Road NE of Grand
Cook 2 1/wk 18 6%
Marais
Beach: Lk Sup, Cutface Ck Wayside 5 Mi SW of
Cook 2 1/wk 17 0%
Grand Marais
Beach: Lk Sup, Grand Marais Campground In
Cook 2 1/wk 17 0%
Grand Marais
Beach: Lk Sup, Grand Marais Downtown/Marina
Cook 2 1/wk 17 0%
in Grand Marais
Beach: Lk Sup, Kadunce Ck Mouth 8 Mi NE of
Cook 2 1/wk 17 0%
Grand Marais
Beach: Lk Sup, Paradise Beach NE of Grand
Cook 2 1/wk 17 0%
Marais
Beach: Lk Sup, Schroeder Town Park in
Cook 2 1/wk 17 0%
Schroeder
Beach: Lk Sup, Sugarloaf Cove 4.5 Mi SW of
Cook 2 1/wk 16 0%
Schroeder
Beach: Lk Sup, Temperance R St Pk 1 Mi NE of
Cook 2 1/wk 17 0%
Schroeder
Lake Beach: Lk Sup, Burlington Bay In Two Harbors 2 1/wk 17 12%
Beach: Lk Sup, Twin Points Pub Access 15 Mi
Lake 2 1/wk 17 6%
NE Two Harbors
Beach: Lk Sup, Split Rock Lthouse St Pk 20 Mi
Lake 2 1/wk 18 6%
NE Two Harbors
Beach: Lk Sup, Knife R Marina SW of Two
Lake 2 1/wk 19 5%
Harbors
Beach: Lk Sup, Agate Bay At Boat Landing in
Lake 2 1/wk 17 0%
Two Harbors
Beach: Lk Sup, Flood Bay 1 Mi NE of Two
Lake 2 1/wk 16 0%
Harbors
Beach: Lk Sup, Gooseberry Falls St Pk 13 Mi NE
Lake 2 1/wk 17 0%
Two Harbors
Lake Beach: Lk Sup, Silver Bay Marina In Silver Bay 2 1/wk 16 0%
Beach: Lk Sup, Split Rock R Mouth 16.5 Mi NE
Lake 2 1/wk 17 0%
of Two Harbors
Beach: Lk Sup, Stewart R Mouth 3 Mi NE of
Lake 2 1/wk 17 0%
Two Harbors
Beach: Lk Sup, Tettegouche St Pk 4.5 Mi NE of
Lake 2 1/wk 17 0%
Silver Bay


County Beach Tier
Beach: Lk Sup, Park Point, Southworth Marsh,
St Louis 1 2/wk 63 41%
Duluth
Beach: Lk Sup, St. Louis Bay, Pk Pt 20th/
Hearding Is, Duluth
Beach: Lk Sup St. Louis Bay, Pk Pt Boat Club/
14th St, Duluth
Beach: Lk Sup, Duluth Lk Walk Rest Rooms,
Canal Pk, Duluth
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, French R Mouth NE of Duluth 2 1/wk 19 5%
Beach: Lk Sup St. Louis Bay, Pk Point, Sky
Harbor Lot Duluth
Beach: Lk Sup St. Louis R Est, Boy Scout
Landing, New Duluth
Beach: Lk Sup St. Louis R Est, Clyde Av Landing,
Smithville
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, 42nd Avenue in Duluth 2 1/wk 16 0%
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, Bluebird Landing NE of Duluth 2 1/wk 17 0%
Beach: Lk Sup, Brighton Beach (Kitchi Gammi
Pk) in Duluth
Beach: Lk Sup, Duluth Lakewalk East/16th Ave
E, Duluth
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, Leif Erikson Park In Duluth 2 1/wk 17 0%
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, Lester R Mouth In Duluth 2 1/wk 17 0%
Beach: Lk Sup, Park Point At 13th Street in
Duluth
Beach: Lk Sup, Park Point At Beach House in
Duluth
Beach: Lk Sup, Park Point, Lafayette Community
Club, Duluth
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, Stony Point NE of Duluth 2 1/wk 17 0%
Advisories
Minnesota issued 16 advisories in 2006. Total advisory days for events lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased
50 percent, from 143 days in 2005 to 73 days in 2006. The number of advisory events lasting longer than six consecu-
tive weeks remained unchanged in 2005 and 2006 at four. Advisories at Minnesota’s eight Tier 1 beaches decreased
from 122 days in 2004 to 120 days in 2005, then decreased again to 65 days in 2006. The overall monitoring frequency
at Minnesota’s Tier 1 beaches was unchanged over the time period during which this overall decrease in advisory days
occurred.
Advisory Issuance: Advisories are issued for an entire beach, rather than sections of a beach.2 When a sample exceeds
either bacteria criterion (either a single sample or the geometric mean of the most recent five samples in a 30-day pe-
riod2), the public is immediately notified with news releases, web updates (www.MNBeaches.org), emails, and phone
calls. No resampling is done before the advisory is issued, and no factors other than an exceedance are taken into account
before issuing an advisory. Large portable orange and white hazard signs with reflective material are posted in high-traffic
areas of the beach.

Reopening Procedures: The site is resampled as soon as possible, and daily (Monday through Thursday) sampling con
tinues until the site meets the water quality standards. The “all clear” is issued through the same steps as the advisory
(signs are removed, a news release goes out, and appropriate phone calls are made).
Causes of Advisories: All advisory days for events lasting six consecutive weeks or less in 2006 were due to monitoring
that revealed elevated bacteria levels, all of which were due to unknown or “other” sources of contamination.
2006 Minnesota Great Lakes Beach Advisories

Cook Beach: Lk Sup, Durfee Ck Mouth NE of Grand Marais 8/22 8/23 Bacteria (?)
Cook Beach: Lk Sup, Old Shore Road NE of Grand Marais 9/12 9/13 Bacteria (?)
Lake Beach: Lk Sup, Knife R Marina SW of Two Harbors 8/1 8/3 Bacteria Other
Beach: Lk Sup, Split Rock Lthouse St Pk 20 Mi NE Two
Lake 8/1 8/3 Bacteria Other
Harbors
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup St. Louis Bay, Pk Pt Boat Club/14th St, Duluth 6/16 8/9 Bacteria (?)
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, Duluth Lk Walk Rest Rooms, Canal Pk, Duluth 9/15 9/16 Bacteria (?)
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, Duluth Lk Walk Rest Rooms, Canal Pk, Duluth 10/10 10/12 Bacteria (?)
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, French R Mouth NE of Duluth 8/1 8/3 Bacteria Other
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, Park Point, Southworth Marsh, Duluth 6/9 8/22 Bacteria (?)
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, Park Point, Southworth Marsh, Duluth 9/1 9/15 Bacteria (?)
St Louis Beach: Lk Sup, St. Louis Bay, Pk Pt 20th/Hearding Is, Duluth 8/11 8/23 Bacteria (?)
Notes
1 Lake Superior Beach Monitoring and Notification Program Annual Report Beach Season 2006, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, February 2007.
2 Heidi Bauman, Manager of the Minnesota Lake Superior Beach Monitoring Program, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, personal communication,
May 8, 2007.

Mississippi
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in conjunction with the State Beach Monitoring Task Force
conducts Mississippi’s beachwater quality monitoring program. The state reports that it has 22 beaches stretching along
43 miles of Gulf coastline and that all of its beaches are
monitored. Counties involved are Hancock, Harrison, and
Jackson. The beaches are monitored year-round but more of samples exceeding the standard
monitoring is done during the recreational season, which decreased to 9 percent in 2006 from
extends from May through October.
23 percent in 2005.
Mississippi issues both advisories and closings for its
beaches. Throughout 2006, the beaches west of Front Beach in Ocean Springs were closed due to Hurricane Katrina.
Fourteen other beaches or sections of beaches were closed throughout 2006 because of debris in the water due to the hur-
ricane, and six beaches in Jackson County were closed during the first half of the 2006 recreational season. Beaches in
Hancock County remain closed in 2007 due to debris in the water from the hurricane.
Mississippi received a $257,510 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $257,720 grant in 2007.
In addition to the BEACH Act grant monies, Mississippi’s Beach Monitoring Program is supported by approximately
$40,000 of in-kind services provided by the state.1
Standards
Standards: Mississippi reported a marine and estuarine enterococcus single-sample maximum standard of 104 cfu/100
ml, as required by the BEACH Act. Mississippi also has preemptive standards; there is a standing advisory against swim-
ming at beaches for 24 hours following a significant rainfall (characterized by noticeable runoff ). Swimmers are particu-
larly advised to avoid swimming near stormdrains, which are present at nearly all of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast beaches.
Beaches are closed if there is a known sewage spill.
Monitoring
Frequency: In 2006, Mississippi monitored 22 beaches at least once a week. The state reports that these 22 beaches
represent 43 miles of coastline and 100 percent of the state’s beaches. The frequency of monitoring is based on (1) the
period of recreational use, (2) the nature and extent of use during each period, and (3) the beach ranking. Tier 1 beaches
are monitored 10 times a month during the recreational season and Tier 2 beaches are monitored once a week during
the recreational season. During the remainder of the year, these beaches are monitored once a week. Mississippi reported
16 Tier 1 beaches and six Tier 2 beaches in 2006.
Practice: Samples are taken mid–water column at wading depth (approximately 0.5 m) between the hours of 8 a.m.
and 2 p.m. Sampling is conducted Monday through Thursday. Lab results are usually available 24 hours after samples
are received.
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Mississippi’s
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Gulfport East Beach in Harrison County
(34%), and Pascagoula Beach West in Jackson County (16%).
Only one beach (Pass Christian West Beach in Harrison County) did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in
2006. The table on the following page lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the stan-
dard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.
MS.1 Natural Resources Defense Council


County Beach Tier
Hancock Waveland Beach 2 1/wk 50 14%
Hancock Buccaneer State Park Beach 2 1/wk 49 6%
Hancock Bay St. Louis Beach 1 10/mo 66 3%
Harrison Gulfport East Beach 1 10/mo 89 34%
Harrison Biloxi East Beach 1 10/mo 88 9%
Harrison Biloxi East Central Beach 1 10/mo 88 8%
Harrison Long Beach 1 10/mo 88 8%
Harrison Pass Christian East Beach 1 10/mo 87 7%
Harrison Gulport Central Beach 1 10/mo 88 7%
Harrison Gulfport Harbor Beach 1 10/mo 89 7%
Harrison Biloxi West Central Beach 1 10/mo 89 6%
Harrison Gulfport West Beach 1 10/mo 89 6%
Harrison Pass Christian Central Beach 2 1/wk 49 2%
Harrison Pass Christian West Beach 2 1/wk 49 0%
Jackson Gulf Park Estates Beach 2 1/wk 51 20%
Jackson Pascagoula Beach West 1 10/mo 92 16%
Jackson St. Andrews Beach 2 1/wk 48 8%
Jackson Shearwater Beach 1 10/mo 89 8%
Jackson Front Beach 1 10/mo 88 6%
Jackson Pascagoula Beach East 1 10/mo 91 3%

Twenty-one beach closures were issued in Mississippi in 2006, all of which were due to debris in the water from
Hurricane Katrina. Total closure days for events lasting six consecutive weeks or less decreased 100 percent, from 41
days in 2005 to zero days in 2006. All 21 closure events were considered permanent in 2006 compared to no permanent
advisory or closure events in 2005. Closings and advisories lasting six consecutive weeks or less at Mississippi’s 15 Tier 1
beaches increased from 17 days in 2004 to 40 days in 2005, then decreased to zero days in 2006. During the time period
over which this overall decrease in closing and advisory days occurred, the overall monitoring frequency at these beaches
was steady.
Closing and Advisory Issuance: Mississippi issues an advisory if the standard is exceeded. Other factors are not taken
into account before issuing the advisory. When a sample exceedance is discovered, an advisory is immediately placed on
the beach monitoring website and a press release is issued from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
Advisories are issued for the entire beach if an exceedance is found.1
Reopening Procedures: Once a beach is placed under advisory, the monitoring frequency is increased until standards are
met and the beach is reopened.1
Causes of Closings and Advisories: All beach closure days in 2006 were preemptive due to debris in the water from
Hurricane Katrina.

2006 Mississippi Coastal Beach Closings

Hancock Bay St. Louis Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Hancock Buccaneer State Park Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Hancock Waveland Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Biloxi East Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Biloxi East Central Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Biloxi West Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Biloxi West Central Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Gulfport East Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Gulfport Harbor Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Gulfport West Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Gulport Central Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Long Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Pass Christian Central Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Pass Christian East Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Harrison Pass Christian West Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Jackson Front Beach 1/1 7/7 Prempt-other Other
Jackson Gulf Park Estates Beach 1/1 7/7 Prempt-other Other
Jackson Pascagoula Beach East 1/1 7/7 Prempt-other Other
Jackson Pascagoula Beach West 1/1 7/7 Prempt-other Other
Jackson Shearwater Beach 1/1 7/7 Prempt-other Other
Jackson St. Andrews Beach 1/1 7/7 Prempt-other Other
Abbreviations used: Preempt-other, preemptive due to reasons not listed here.
Notes
1 Emily Cotton, Regional Biologist, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, personal communication, June 2007.

New Hampshire
New Hampshire has 18 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, all of which are in Rockingham County. Including
Great Bay and the estuarine Piscatagua River, the coastline measures 100 miles. Only a portion of the coastline is
accessible beach. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services monitors its Atlantic coast beaches to de-
termine the suitability of its waters for swimming. All but
one of the 16 coastal beaches in the state are monitored.
The monitoring season extends from May through Labor of samples exceeding the standard
Day. New Hampshire also monitors water quality at its increased to 3 percent in 2006 from
freshwater beaches.
1 percent in 2005.
Most of the coastal beach advisories issued in 2006 coin-
cided with a heavy rainfall event in July.1 It is New Hampshire’s policy to issue beach advisories only and not closings.
New Hampshire received a $204,530 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $204,660 grant in 2007.
Coastal tourism contributes $4.1 billion to the state’s economy, generating 66,700 jobs.
Standards
Indicator Organisms: Enterococcus for coastal beaches; E. coli and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) for freshwater
beaches
Standards: For ocean and bay waters, New Hampshire uses the BEACH Act-mandated enterococcus single-sample maxi-
mum of 104 cfu/100 ml and geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml. For freshwater beaches, New Hampshire uses E. coli as
an indicator organism and mandates an advisory if visible toxic cyanobacterial scum is present. New Hampshire has ad-
opted these state water quality standards through legislation.
The Department of Environmental Services uses preemptive standards for chronic advisory freshwater lakes and is
currently working on a model for coastal waters that would provide data for creating predictive models for issuing pre-
emptive coastal advisories.1
Monitoring
Frequency: In 2006, the department monitored water quality at 15 marine beaches weekly or biweekly. These beaches
stretch along nearly eight miles of coastline.
Beaches in New Hampshire are ranked into three tiers based on pollution threats, sanitary survey information, expo-
sure conditions, and monitoring data. Tier 1 beaches are those where actual public health risks exist and the beach has
been listed as impaired, Tier 2 beaches are those where an actual or potential public health risk exists, and Tier 3 beaches
are those that have minimal to no public health risk. Coastal areas identified as secondary-contact recreation areas are not
considered to be beaches and are not assigned a tier ranking. Of the 15 monitored beaches, 47 percent (7) beaches, repre-
senting all of the state’s Tier 1 beaches, were monitored at least two times a week. Another 47 percent (7), representing all
of the state’s Tier 2 beaches, were monitored at least once per week. One Tier 3 beach was monitored twice per month.
Star Island Beach, a Tier 3 beach that is only accessible by boat, was not monitored. In addition to routine monitoring,
additional sampling is required when there is a heavy bather load, sewage spill, or pollution event. Additional sampling
is recommended if waterfowl congregate at a beach that may be impacted by marinas. Freshwater beaches are assigned to
Tier IV (or Tier V if they are at youth recreation camps).
Practice: Samples are taken in knee-deep water on weekdays. Generally, sampling results are known 24 hours after
samples are delivered to the lab. Tier 1 and Tier 2 beaches longer than 100 feet are sampled at the left edge, center, and
right edge of the beach. Tier 1 and Tier 2 beaches shorter than 100 feet are sampled in two locations, each of which is a
third of the distance from the end of the beach. Tier 1 and Tier 2 beaches that are located on a flowing body of water are
sampled upstream, downstream, and at the center of the beach. Tier 3 beaches longer than 100 feet are sampled in two
NH.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

locations, each of which is a third of the distance from the end of the beach, and Tier 3 beaches on a flowing body of
water or shorter than 100 feet are sampled once at the center.2
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded New
Hampshire’s daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standard
increased to 3 percent in 2006 from 1 percent in 2005.
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Pirates Cove Beach (9%), Jenness Beach Sp
(7%), Sawyer Beach (6%), and State Beach (6%).
Six beaches (Foss Beach, Hampton Beach SP, North Beach, Northside Park, Sun Valley Beach, and Wallis Sands SP)
did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. The table below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and
percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in
descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Rockingham Pirates Cove Beach 2 1/wk 45 9%
Rockingham Jenness Beach Sp 2 1/wk 45 7%
Rockingham Sawyer Beach 1 2/wk 84 6%
Rockingham State Beach 1 2/wk 84 6%
Rockingham Seabrook Harbor Beach 1 2/wk 78 3%
Rockingham New Castle Tb 1 2/wk 87 2%
Rockingham Seabrook Tb 2 1/wk 45 2%
Rockingham Bass Beach 1 2/wk 78 1%
Rockingham Cable Beach 1 2/wk 81 1%
Rockingham Foss Beach 3 2/mo 21 0%
Rockingham Hampton Beach Sp 1 2/wk 130 0%
Rockingham North Beach 2 1/wk 42 0%
Rockingham Northside Park 2 1/wk 42 0%
Rockingham Sun Valley Beach 2 1/wk 28 0%
Rockingham Wallis Sands Sp 2 1/wk 45 0%
Advisories
New Hampshire issued six beach advisories in 2006. Total advisory days increased from 1 in 2005 to 23 in 2006. Nearly
all of the 2006 advisory days followed a single significant rain event in July. Advisories at New Hampshire’s seven Tier 1
beaches decreased from two days in 2004 to one day in 2005, then increased to 17 days in 2006. This overall increase in
advisory days from 2004 to 2006 may be due in part to an increase in monitoring frequency of Tier 1 beaches over that
time period.
Advisory Issuance: In New Hampshire, beaches have a sign saying they are open if they are sampled at least as frequently
as the state requires beaches in their tier to be sampled if they are meeting water quality standards. Beaches that do not
meet the minimum sampling requirements for their tier have a sign saying they are not monitored, and beaches that do
not meet the state standards for acceptable bacteria levels and/or have a toxic cyanobacterial scum (freshwater only) have
a sign saying that the beach is under advisory.2 New Hampshire’s water quality standards allow for the use of both the

geometric mean and the single-sample standards. However, single-sample values are typically used to post advisories.1
When a sample exceeds the standard, officials notify other state and local government agencies without resampling. The
public is generally notified within 24 hours. In addition to monitoring results, the state is guided in its advisory issuance
by illness complaints, which are solicited on its website. Advisories are usually issued for whole beaches rather than sec-
tions of a beach, but the beach coordinator could place a section of a beach under advisory if conditions warranted.1
Reopening Procedures: When a sample exceeds water quality standards, the Department of Environmental Services
resamples water from the beach to determine when bacteria levels have decreased to within the state standards.
Causes of Advisories: All advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels. Stormwater was
listed as the reason for the elevated levels of bacteria for 61 percent (14) of the days and the cause of the remaining 39
percent (9) of the days with elevated levels of bacteria was reported to be unknown.
2006 New Hampshire Coastal Beach Advisories

Rockingham Bass Beach 6/28 7/6 Bacteria (?)
Rockingham Jenness Beach Sp 7/13 7/14 Bacteria (?),Stormwater
Rockingham Pirates Cove Beach 7/13 7/18 Bacteria (?),Stormwater
Rockingham Sawyer Beach 7/14 7/18 Bacteria (?),Stormwater
Rockingham State Beach 8/25 8/26 Bacteria (?)
Rockingham State Beach 7/14 7/18 Bacteria (?),Stormwater
Notes
1 Jody Connor, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, personal communication, June 2007.
2 New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, NHDES Beach Program Tiered Monitoring Plan Revision 5.0, January 18, 2007.

New Jersey
New Jersey was the first state to have a statewide mandatory beach protection program that includes a bacteria standard,
a testing protocol, and mandatory closure requirements whenever the bacteria standard is exceeded. Since 1974, the
Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP) has
been assessing coastal water quality for swimmer safety.1
In 2006, the New Jersey Department of Environmental samples exceeding the state standard
Protection administered the state’s BEACH Act grant. increased to 3 percent in 2006 from
Other agencies participating in CCMP were the county
1 percent in 2005.
health departments of all five coastal counties (Atlantic,
Cape May, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties), the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services,
four municipal health departments, and the Monmouth County Regional Health Commission.2
New Jersey has 127 miles of public coastal beaches3 with 325 beaches.4 Water quality at 70 percent of these beaches
was monitored from mid-May to mid-September in 2006. In addition to regular beach water monitoring for bacteria
concentrations, the Department of Environmental Protection conducted aerial surveillance of nearshore coastal waters
six days a week during the summer and routinely inspected the 17 wastewater treatment facilities that discharge to the
ocean. The information collected under the CCMP assists the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in
developing coastal zone management strategies, such as land use planning to control pollution from nonpoint sources.1
New Jersey also has a program for freshwater recreational beach monitoring.
New Jersey’s policy is to issue beach closings when bacteria levels exceed standards. Preemptive rain advisories are is-
sued in some areas of the state as well. Frequent episodes of intense rainfall, with their associated stormwater discharges,
may have resulted in an increased number of closings in 2006.3
New Jersey received a $277,730 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $279,870 grant in 2007.
Federal funding supports only a portion of New Jersey’s beach monitoring and notification program. New Jersey con
tributes an additional $200,000 to the Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program through the sale of Shore Protection
license plates.3 Tourism in New Jersey contributes about $37.6 billion and generates 480,800 related jobs.
Standards
Standards: In 2004, the State Sanitary Code was amended such to change the primary contact standard from a single
sample with fecal coliform levels greater than 200 cfu/100 ml to a single sample with enterococcus levels greater than
104 cfu/100 ml.2
Three ocean beaches around the Wreck Pond outfall (Brown Avenue, York Avenue, and Terrace) and L Street Beach
in Belmar are automatically closed for 24 hours after the end of all rainfall events greater than 0.1 inch or that cause an
increased flow in storm drains, and for 48 hours from the end of all rainfalls greater than 2.8 inches within a 24 hour
period. Near the Wreck Pond outfall, lifeguards (or staff designated by Spring Lake) will prohibit swimming near any
parts of these beaches where the stormwater plume is observed to be mixing within the swimming area.2 Health and
enforcement agencies can close a beach at their discretion at any time.
Monitoring
Frequency: County health departments routinely monitored approximately 200 ocean and bay beaches at least weekly
uring the summer 2006 beach season. In 2006 (as in 2005), CCMP had 325 sampling locations, but only 226
d
(183 ocean stations and 43 bay stations) were in recreational waters. The others were environmental samples taken
in beach areas closed to the public for swimming.5 Most ocean stations are sampled to evaluate the water quality at several
lifeguarded beaches in an area rather than one lifeguarded beach.2 Each recreational beach is monitored because these
beaches are noncontiguous. If aerial monitoring is included, all 127 miles of coastal beach in New Jersey are monitored.
NJ.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Practice: Samples are taken 12 to 18 inches below the surface in water that is between knee and chest deep. Routine sam-
pling is conducted on Monday mornings. At least 24 hours pass before sampling results are known. New Jersey is pilot-
ing the use of rapid test methods this summer.6
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded New Jersey’s
In 2006, 8 of the top 10 Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were in Ocean County: Beachwood
Beach West (60%), Money Island Beach (40%), 21st St. Beach (22%), Anglesea Beach (22%), New Jersey Beach (21%),
West Beach (21%), 14th St. Beach (18%), and Maxon Beach (18%). The other two beaches were in Monmouth County:
L Street Beach (36%) and Rec Center (20%).
Seventy-four percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Cape May
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (87%), followed by Atlantic (82%), Ocean (72%),
and Monmouth (51%) counties. The table below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples ex-
ceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by
percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Atlantic Bay 1 1/wk 19 11%
Atlantic Illinois 1 1/wk 18 6%
Atlantic 33rd St. 1 1/wk 20 5%
Atlantic Kentucky 1 1/wk 21 5%
Atlantic South Carolina 1 1/wk 21 5%
Atlantic States 1 1/wk 21 5%
Atlantic 10th St. South 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic 15th St South 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic 19th St. 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic 26th St. 1 1/wk 19 0%
Atlantic 33rd St. South 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic 43rd St. South 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic Arkansas 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic Bartram 1 1/wk 20 0%
Atlantic Chelsea 1 1/wk 20 0%
Atlantic Dorset 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic Granville 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic Lincoln 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic Michigan 1 1/wk 20 0%
Atlantic Missouri 1 1/wk 20 0%
Atlantic New Hampshire 1 1/wk 20 0%
Atlantic New Haven 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic North Carolina 1 1/wk 17 0%


County Beach Tier
Atlantic Oakland 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic Osborne 1 1/wk 18 0%
Atlantic Pennsylvania 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic Public Dock 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic Seaside 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic South Beach 1 1/wk 20 0%
Atlantic Texas 1 1/wk 20 0%
Atlantic Washington 1 1/wk 17 0%
Atlantic Washington 1 1/wk 17 0%
Cape May 90th (Yacht Club) 1 1/wk 20 10%
Cape May Beesley’s Point 1 1/wk 20 10%
Cape May 108th 1 1/wk 19 5%
Cape May Bennett 1 1/wk 19 5%
Cape May Forgetmenot 1 1/wk 19 5%
Cape May Lavendar 1 1/wk 19 5%
Cape May Ocean City Yacht Club 1 1/wk 19 5%
Cape May 103rd 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May 10th & JFK 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May 21st St 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May 2nd 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May 2nd & JFK 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May 34th St 1 1/wk 18 0%


County Beach Tier
Cape May 83rd St 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Brainard 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Broadway 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Congress 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Corinthian Yc 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Grant 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Hollywood 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Jefferson 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Maple 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Miami 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Montgomery 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May North 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Ocean 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Ocean Ave. 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Orchid 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Park 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Philadelphia 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Poverty 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Queen North 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Richmond Ave. 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Schellenger 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Sic Yacht Club 1 1/wk 9 0%
Cape May Surf 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Webster 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Whildin 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Williard 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May WW Crest Yacht Club 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May WW Gables Yacht Club 1 1/wk 18 0%
Cape May Yacht Club 1 1/wk 18 0%
Monmouth L Street Beach 1 1/wk 25 36%
Monmouth Rec Center 1 1/wk 20 20%
Monmouth Deal Casino 1 1/wk 21 14%
Monmouth Miller Beach 1 1/wk 21 14%


County Beach Tier
Monmouth Brown South 1 1/wk 22 14%
Monmouth Broadway 1 1/wk 19 11%
Monmouth 12th 1 1/wk 20 10%
Monmouth Lake Takanassee Beach Club 1 1/wk 20 10%
Monmouth Laird 1 1/wk 21 10%
Monmouth 3rd 1 1/wk 17 6%
Monmouth 7th 1 1/wk 19 5%
Monmouth Asbury 1 1/wk 19 5%
Monmouth Ocean Park 1 1/wk 19 5%
Monmouth Village Beach Club 1 1/wk 19 5%
Monmouth Ideal Beach 1 1/wk 20 5%
Monmouth North Bath 1 1/wk 20 5%
Monmouth Philadelphia 1 1/wk 20 5%
Monmouth Thomson 1 1/wk 21 5%
Monmouth Beacon 1 1/wk 22 5%
Monmouth The Terrace 1 1/wk 22 5%
Monmouth York Avenue 1 1/wk 22 5%
Monmouth Area C - Surf Beach 1 1/wk 20 0%
Monmouth Area E-Visitor Center 1 1/wk 20 0%
Monmouth Army Rec. Beach 1 1/wk 20 0%
Monmouth Cedar 1 1/wk 18 0%
Monmouth Conner’s Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Monmouth East Main 1 1/wk 20 0%
Monmouth Essex 1 1/wk 20 0%
Monmouth Evergreen South 1 1/wk 19 0%
Monmouth Fort Hancock 1 1/wk 19 0%
Monmouth Joline 1 1/wk 20 0%
Monmouth Main 1 1/wk 18 0%
Monmouth Monmouth Beach Club 1 1/wk 20 0%
Monmouth Neptune 1 1/wk 20 0%
Monmouth Newark 1 1/wk 20 0%
Monmouth Ocean Beach Club 1 1/wk 20 0%
Monmouth Public Beach 1 1/wk 20 0%
Monmouth Seven President’s Park 1 1/wk 1 0%
Monmouth South Bay Ave 1 1/wk 19 0%
Monmouth Sylvania 1 1/wk 18 0%
Monmouth Union 1 1/wk 22 0%
Monmouth Washington 1 1/wk 21 0%
Monmouth Worthington 1 1/wk 20 0%
Ocean Beachwood Beach West 1 1/wk 35 60%
Ocean Money Island 1 1/wk 20 40%


County Beach Tier
Ocean 21st 1 1/wk 18 22%
Ocean Anglesea 1 1/wk 18 22%
Ocean New Jersey 1 1/wk 19 21%
Ocean West Beach 1 1/wk 19 21%
Ocean 14th 1 1/wk 17 18%
Ocean Maxon 1 1/wk 17 18%
Ocean East Beach 1 1/wk 18 17%
Ocean Hancock 1 1/wk 20 15%
Ocean River 1 1/wk 16 13%
Ocean 5th 1 1/wk 17 12%
Ocean Jennifer 1 1/wk 17 12%
Ocean Brooklyn 1 1/wk 13 8%
Ocean 16th 1 1/wk 15 7%
Ocean Berkeley Island 1 1/wk 15 7%
Ocean Stockton 1 1/wk 15 7%
Ocean Bay Beach 1 1/wk 16 6%
Ocean Parkertown 1 1/wk 16 6%
Ocean 10th 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean 12th 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean 14th 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean 14th 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean 23rd 1 1/wk 16 0%
Ocean 23rd 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean 24th 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean 25th 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean 4th 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean 50th 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean 75th 1 1/wk 14 0%
Ocean 75th 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean 7th 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean A23 1 1/wk 18 0%
Ocean Access Road 1 1/wk 18 0%
Ocean Atlantic 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Bergen 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Berkeley 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Brick Beach 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Brighton 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Broadway 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Brooklyn 1 1/wk 16 0%
Ocean Bryn Mawr 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Central 1 1/wk 17 0%


County Beach Tier
Ocean East Tuna Way 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Fielder 1 1/wk 16 0%
Ocean Florida 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Guyer 1 1/wk 16 0%
Ocean Jersey City 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Leeward 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Lincoln 1 1/wk 18 0%
Ocean Loveladies 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Lyman 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Maryland 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Mount 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean New Jersey 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean North 10th 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean North Beach 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean O St 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Reese 1 1/wk 14 0%
Ocean Roxie 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Shelter Island 1 1/wk 14 0%
Ocean Sheridan 1 1/wk 19 0%
Ocean South 3rd 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Stockton 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Taylor 1 1/wk 17 0%
Ocean Trenton 1 1/wk 16 0%
Ocean Unit 1 1 1/wk 18 0%
Ocean Uscg 110 1 1/wk 18 0%
Ocean Webster 1 1/wk 17 0%

Thirty-one beach closings and 55 rain advisories were issued in New Jersey in 2006. Marine and estuarine beach clos-
ing and advisory days increased 70 percent to 134 days in 2006 from 79 days in 2005. This increase may be due in part
to frequent episodes of intense rainfall during the 2006 swim season. Closings and advisories at New Jersey’s 225 Tier 1
beaches decreased from 166 days in 2004 to 75 days in 2005, then increased to 122 days in 2006. This overall decrease
in closing and advisory days from 2004 to 2006 occurred during a period when the overall monitoring frequency at
Tier 1 beaches was steady.
Closing/Advisory Issuance: If bacteria levels exceed the standard, the beach is resampled immediately. If the second sam-
ple exceeds the standard, the beach is closed. Resampling is conducted in conjunction with a sanitary survey of the beach.
If high bacteria concentrations are found at an ocean station, sampling is conducted linearly along the beach to deter-
mine the extent of the affected area. This “bracket sampling” can result in an extension of a beach closing to contiguous
lifeguarded beaches.2 The public is notified of beach closings via signs, red flags, the internet, and during the summer
months, a telephone hotline.

Reopening Procedures: Daily monitoring is conducted until the beach water meets water quality standards and the
results of the sanitary survey are acceptable.
Causes of Closings and Advisories: Sixty-five percent (87) of closing and advisory days in 2006 were preemptive due to
rain and the remaining 35 percent (47) of closing days were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels from
2006 New Jersey Coastal Beach Closings/Advisories

Atlantic Rt. 52 8/30 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth 12th 8/2 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth 3rd 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth 7th 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth Asbury 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth Beacon 7/18 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth Beacon 7/19 7/20 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Monmouth Broadway 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth Brown South 7/18 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth Brown South 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth Brown South 5/27 5/28 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Monmouth Elberon Beach Club 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth L Street Beach 8/29 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth L Street Beach 7/6 7/7 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Monmouth Laird 8/29 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth Main 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth North Bath 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth Ocean Park 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth Riverside & Clinton 8/29 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth The Terrace 7/18 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth The Terrace 5/27 5/28 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Monmouth York Avenue 7/18 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Monmouth York Avenue 5/27 5/28 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Ocean Anglesea 7/5 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Ocean Beachwood Beach West 6/28 7/1 Bacteria (?)


Ocean Money Island 6/28 7/1 Bacteria (?)
Ocean Money Island 7/5 7/6 Bacteria (?)
Ocean Summit 6/28 7/1 Bacteria (?)
Ocean Windward Beach 6/20 6/23 Bacteria (?)
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Preempt-other, preemptive due to visible plume of potentially polluted
water; Preempt-rain, preemptive due to heavy rainfall; Preempt-sew, preemptive due to sewage discharge or spill; Sew-discharge, sewage discharge;
(?), unknown.
Notes
2 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program: Summary Report for 2005 and 2006, not dated.
3 Virginia Loftin, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, personal communication, June 2007.
4 United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA’s BEACH Report: New Jersey 2006 Swimming Season, June 2007.
5 Lisa Jackson, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection testimony at House Transportation and Infrastructure hearing on reauthorizing
the BEACH Act, July 12, 2007.
6 Virginia Loftin, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, personal communication, August 2006.

New York
New York is the only state in the nation with ocean, estuarine, and Great Lakes coastline. There are 127 miles of
Atlantic Ocean coastline, 231 miles of shorefront on Long Island Sound, 548 miles of Long Island bayfront, and
83 miles of shorefront on islands off the Long Island coast. In addition to these marine waters, there are at least 200
miles of freshwater shoreline on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.1 The state of New York has 318 Great Lakes and marine
beaches.2 Most of these beaches are on Atlantic waters;
only 39 are on Lake Erie or Lake Ontario. The beach
monitoring program in New York is administered by the samples exceeding the state standard
New York State Department of Health in conjunction decreased to 13 percent in 2006 from
with eight county health departments, the New York City
15 percent in 2005.
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and one State Health Department District Office.2
Great Lakes shoreline is found in Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, and Wayne
Counties. All of these counties have Great Lakes beaches except for Orleans County. Beaches on Atlantic marine or
estuarine waters are found in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. All of the
beaches in all of these counties are monitored except for three beaches each in Westchester County and Suffolk County
where swimming is prohibited.2
The monitoring season extends from May to September. Both closings and advisories are issued for beaches in the
state. On a per beach basis, there were more advisory and closing days at Great Lakes beaches than at marine beaches. In
2006, Erie and Chautauqua Counties had the most closing and advisory days at Great Lakes beaches. More than 70 per-
cent of New York City’s 6,000 miles of sewer system are combined with stormwater pipes, which can discharge a mixture
of rainfall runoff and raw sewage into area waterways during and immediately after precipitation.3 For coastal beaches,
relatively wet weather in 2006, especially during the late summer hurricane season, resulted in a high number of wet
weather advisories at private beaches.4 Marine beaches in Suffolk County had the most closing and advisory days of any
county, with almost 40 percent of the state’s total for Great Lakes and coastal beaches combined. In July, Orchard Beach
and all the private beaches in the Bronx and Douglaston in Queens were issued a total of 27 pollution advisory days due
to a reduction from secondary to primary treatment at the Bowery Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant caused by a power
outage at the Con Edison facility in Astoria, Queens. In addition, in August these beaches were closed for two days as a
preemptive measure after a sewage main in the area of the Hunts Point treatment plant was blocked, resulting in sewage
discharging into the Bronx River.4 New York State received a $348,740 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible
for a $352,830 grant in 2006.
Standards
Indicator Organisms: Enterococcus and E. coli
Standards: Beginning in 2005, all beach closing/advisory days resulting from monitoring that revealed high bacteria
levels at coastal beaches were based on BEACH Act indicator organisms. For marine beaches, New York uses an entero
coccus single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml. For freshwater beaches, New York uses an E. coli single-sample maxi-
mum of 235 cfu/100.
All of the counties with marine beaches and most of the counties with Great Lakes beaches issue preemp-
tive rain advisories. New York City has rainfall standards at some of its beaches. South Beach, Midland Beach,
Manhattan Beach, and Kingsborough Community College are under advisory for 12 hours if more than 1.5 inches
of rain fall in a six-hour period. All Bronx private beaches and Douglaston are under advisory for 48 hours and
Gerritsen Beach is under advisory for 72 hours if more than 0.2 inches of rain fall in a two-hour period or if more
than 0.4 inches of rain fall in a 24‑hour period. New York City also issues preemptive advisories when there is a known
sewage spill.
NY.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Preemptive Standards Reported by New York Agencies

Agency Preemptive Standard
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, Rainfall: Greater than 0.5 inch of rain in 24 hours; used only at selected
and Historic Preservation beaches. Guideline only, not an adopted state standard.
Other: Must be able to see 8-inch black-and-white Secchi disk in 4 feet
Cayuga County Health and Human Services
of water (clarity); water must be free of chemical substances capable of
Department
creating toxic reactions or skin or membrane irritations.
Rainfall: Eastchester Bay and Kiddie/Gerritsen: threshold levels of 0.2
inch per 2 hours or 0.4 inch per 24 hours (advisory duration is 48 and 72
New York City Department of Health, Public
hours, respectively). For Kingsborough Community College, Manhattan,
Health Engineering
Midland, and South Beach: 1.5 inches per 6 hours threshold of rainfall
(advisory duration is 12 hours).
Other: Debris on beach, unusual or massive algal blooms, sewage
Suffolk County Department of Health
treatment plant malfunction, septic system malfunction, spills, unusual
Services
levels of seabather eruptions, or other symptomology.
Rainfall: For five beaches within Mamaroneck Harbor and two beaches
within Echo Bay, New Rochelle: for 0.5 inches of rain within 24 hours
Westchester County Health Department beaches must close for 1 day; for 1 inch of rain within 24 hours beaches
must close for 2 days; for greater than 2 inches of rain, the department
will make a determination for the beach closure duration.
Monroe County has been using a preemptive model since 1973 based on
Monroe County Health Laboratory measurements of rainfall, flow of the Genesee River, turbidity, algae and
other organic debris.
Monitoring
Frequency: New York State reported 318 marine and Great Lakes beaches. Nearly half of the marine beaches and all of
the Great Lakes beaches were monitored at least once a week in 2006. Remaining beaches were monitored less than once
a week. All New York City beaches were monitored at least once a week, except for Breezy Point and Rockaway, which
were monitored every other week.
At New York City beaches, monitoring locations and sampling frequency are based on potential pollution sources and
storm water discharges, historical water quality data, ongoing trends, regional hydrodynamics, frequency of use, beach
length, and geomorphology.
Practice: In New York City, sample collection is generally performed in the morning on weekdays. Water samples are
c ollected at a depth of 18 inches in water approximately three feet deep. Results are available 24 hours after the sample
reaches the lab for analysis. Routine samples are generally collected early in the week, and resampling occurs later in the
week as needed.4
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded New York’s
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Point Gratiot Beach in Chautauqua County
(47%), Boys And Girls Harbor in Suffolk County (40%), Tides Property Owners Association in Suffolk County (40%),
Main Street Beach (35%) and Wright Park East in Chautauqua County (35%), Ontario Beach in Monroe County
(31%), Wright Park West in Chautauqua County (29%), Pultneyville Mariners Beach in Wayne County (29%), and
Valley Grove Beach in Suffolk County (28%).
Forty-eight percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Jefferson
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (100%) followed by Oswego (86%), Queens (73%),
Wayne (67%), Nassau (66%), New York (50%), Westchester (48%), Suffolk (46%), Kings (45%), Richmond (33%),

and Erie (10%). The table below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the
exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Bronx Manhem Beach Club 1 1/wk 24 17%
Bronx Orchard Beach 1 1/wk 26 15%
Bronx American Turners 1 1/wk 24 13%
Bronx Danish American Beach Club 1 1/wk 24 13%
Bronx Trinity Danish Young People’s Society 1 1/wk 24 13%
Bronx White Cross Fish Club 1 1/wk 24 13%
Bronx Morris Yacht And Beach Club 1 1/wk 25 12%
Bronx Schuyler Hill Civic Association 1 1/wk 23 4%
Cayuga Fair Haven Beach State Park 1 1/wk 38 13%
Chautauqua Point Gratiot Beach 2 1/wk 19 47%
Chautauqua Main Street Beach 1 1/wk 17 35%
Chautauqua Wright Park East 1 1/wk 20 35%
Chautauqua Wright Park West 1 1/wk 21 29%
Chautauqua Lake Erie State Park Beach 1 2/wk 33 21%
Chautauqua Sheridan Bay Park 3 1/wk 14 14%
Chautauqua Sunset Bay Beach Club 3 1/wk 14 14%
Chautauqua Blue Water Beach 3 1/wk 13 8%
Chautauqua Town Of Hanover Beach 3 1/wk 15 7%
Erie Pioneer Camp 2 2/wk 26 27%
Erie Woodlawn Beach - Woodlawn Beach State Park 1 1/wk 57 25%
Erie Hamburg Bathing Beach 1 2/wk 37 24%
Erie Lake Erie Beach 1 2/wk 26 23%
Erie Point Breeze Camp 3 2/wk 15 20%
Erie Wendt Beach 2 2/wk 25 16%
Erie Evans Town Park 2 2/wk 26 15%
Erie Bennett Beach 2 2/wk 26 12%
Erie St. Vincent Depaul Beach 2 2/wk 23 4%
Erie Evangola State Park Beach 2 1/wk 16 0%
Jefferson Southwick Beach State Park 1 1/wk 18 0%
Jefferson Westcott Beach - Main 2 1/wk 17 0%
Jefferson Westcott Beach State Park-Camps 2 1/wk 15 0%
Kings Kingsborough Community College 1 1/wk 25 24%
Kings Coney Island Beach W. 28th - W. 37th 2 1/wk 20 15%
Kings Gerritsen/Kiddie Beach 1 1/wk 21 14%
Kings Manhattan Beach 1 1/wk 19 11%
Kings Coney Island Beach Brighton 6th - Ocean Parkway 2 1/wk 19 5%


County Beach Tier
Kings Coney Island Beach W. 16th - 27th 2 1/wk 20 5%
Kings Coney Island Beach Brighton 15th - 6th 2 1/wk 19 0%
Kings Coney Island Beach Ocean Parkway - W. 8th 2 1/wk 19 0%
Kings Coney Island-W8th St. To Pier 2 1/wk 19 0%
Kings Seagate Beach - 38th Street 2 1/wk 19 0%
Kings Seagate Beach - 42nd Street 2 1/wk 19 0%
Monroe Ontario Beach 1 Daily 93 31%
Monroe Durand Beach 1 Daily 90 27%
Monroe Hamlin Beach Area 4 1 1/wk 19 11%
Monroe Hamlin Beach State Park-Area 3 1 1/wk 19 5%
Nassau Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club 3 1/mo 60 22%
Nassau Crescent Beach 2 1/wk 33 15%
Nassau Inc. Village Of Laurel Hollow 1 6/mo 34 15%
Nassau Phillip Healey 1 6/mo 42 12%
Nassau Bar Beach 1 6/mo 43 7%
Nassau Seacliff Beach 1 6/mo 43 7%
Nassau Piping Rock Beach 2 1/wk 33 6%
Nassau Theodore Roosevelt Beach 1 6/mo 33 6%
Nassau Manor Haven Beach 2 1/wk 34 6%
Nassau Morgan Memorial Beach 2 6/mo 34 6%
Nassau Jones Beach - Zach’s Bay 1 6/mo 37 5%
Nassau Hewlett Beach 1 6/mo 42 5%
Nassau Tappan Beach 1 6/mo 43 5%
Nassau Centre Island Bay Beach 2 1/wk 33 3%
Nassau Centre Island Sound Beach 2 1/wk 33 3%
Nassau Ransom Beach 2 1/wk 33 3%
Nassau Soundside Beach 2 1/wk 33 3%
Nassau Tobay Beach - Bay 1 1/wk 33 3%
Nassau Lattington Beach 2 1/wk 34 3%
Nassau Merrick Estates Civic Association 3 1/wk 38 3%
Nassau Harbor Isle Beach 2 1/wk 42 2%
Nassau Hempstead Harbor Beach Park 1 6/mo 43 2%
Nassau Atlantic Beach Club 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Catalina Beach 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Clearwater Cabana Beach 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Dutchess Boulevard Beach 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau East Atlantic Beach 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Eldorado Beach 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Genessee Boulvard Beach 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Inwood Beach Club 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Island Park Beach 1 6/mo 42 0%


County Beach Tier
Nassau Jefferson Boulevard Beach 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Jones Beach - West 2 6/mo 18 0%
Nassau Jones Beach State Park-Central 2 6/mo 18 0%
Nassau Lawrence Beach 3 2/mo 7 0%
Nassau Lido Beach - Towers Condo 3 2/mo 11 0%
Nassau Lido Beach Park District 3 2/mo 29 0%
Nassau Long Beach City 2 1/wk 18 0%
Nassau Montgomery Boulevard Beach 1 2/mo 18 0%
Nassau Nassau Beach Central Terrace 3 2/mo 18 0%
Nassau Nassau Beach East Terrace 3 2/mo 11 0%
Nassau Nassau Beach West Terrace 3 2/mo 11 0%
Nassau Ocean Club Beach 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Pebble Cove Homeowners’ Association 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Plaza Beach 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Plaza Beach Club 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Point Lookout Park District 3 2/mo 18 0%
Nassau Prybil Beach 2 1/wk 34 0%
Nassau Putnam Beach 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Sands At Atlantic 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Silver Point Beach Club 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau Stehli Beach 2 1/wk 33 0%
Nassau Sun And Surf Beach 3 2/mo 18 0%
Nassau Sunny Atlantic Beach 3 2/mo 8 0%
Nassau The Creek Beach 2 1/wk 34 0%
Nassau Tobay Beach - Marina 2 6/mo 33 0%
Nassau Tobay Beach - Ocean 3 6/mo 33 0%
Nassau Town House Apartments At Lido 3 2/mo 11 0%
Nassau Town Park - Area D Sands/Lido/Anchor 3 2/mo 18 0%
Nassau Town Park Camp Anchor 3 2/mo 29 0%
Nassau Town Park Point Lookout 3 2/mo 29 0%
Nassau Vernon Avenue Beach 3 2/mo 18 0%
Nassau West Harbor Memorial Beach 2 1/wk 33 0%
Nassau Westbury Beach Club 3 2/mo 8 0%
New York Manunsing Island Club 2 1/wk 16 6%
New York Atlantic Beach Estates 3 2/mo 26 0%
Niagara Krull Park 2 1/wk 24 25%
Niagara Wilson - Tuscarora State Park Beach 1 1/wk 23 9%
Oswego Selkirk Shores State Park Beach 1 1/wk 17 12%
Oswego Brennan’s Beach 1 1/wk 12 8%
Oswego Brennan’s Beach 1 1/wk 12 0%
Oswego Chedmardo 1 1/wk 12 0%


County Beach Tier
Oswego Dowie Dale 1 1/wk 12 0%
Oswego Mexico Point State Park (Town) 1 1/wk 12 0%
Oswego Rainbow Shores 1 1/wk 12 0%
Oswego Sandy Island Beach 1 1/wk 15 0%
Oswego Selkirk Shores State Park Beach 1 1/wk 17 0%
Oswego Chedmardo 1 1/wk 12 0%
Oswego Dowie Dale 1 1/wk 12 0%
Oswego Mexico Point State Park (Town) 1 1/wk 12 0%
Oswego Rainbow Shores 1 1/wk 12 0%
Oswego Sandy Island Beach 1 1/wk 15 0%
Queens Douglas Manor 1 1/wk 23 13%
Queens Breezy Point 219th Street 3 10/mo 11 9%
Queens Rockaway Beach 126th - 149th 3 10/mo 11 9%
Queens Breezy Point Reid Ave. 3 10/mo 10 0%
Queens Rockaway Beach 15th - 22nd 3 10/mo 9 0%
Queens Rockaway Beach 23rd - 59th 3 10/mo 10 0%
Queens Rockaway Beach 9th - 13 Th 3 10/mo 10 0%
Queens Rockaway Beach-116th St. To 126th 3 10/mo 10 0%
Richmond South Beach 2 1/wk 20 10%
Richmond Midland Beach/South Beach 2 1/wk 20 5%
Richmond Wolfe’s Pond Park 1 1/wk 19 0%
Suffolk Boys And Girls Harbor 2 2/wk 5 40%
Suffolk Tides Property Owners Association 2 1/mo 35 40%
Suffolk Valley Grove Beach 1 1/wk 54 28%
Suffolk Broadway Beach Broadway Beach 3 1/mo 26 27%
Suffolk Crescent Beach - Shelter Island 1 None 4 25%
Suffolk Swordfish Club 2 2/wk 8 25%
Suffolk Venetian Shores 2 1/wk 44 25%
Suffolk Vanderbilt Beach 3 1/mo 52 21%
Suffolk Bay Hills Poa 2 1/wk 44 20%
Suffolk Amityville Beach 1 1/wk 59 20%
Suffolk Camp Blue Bay 3 1/mo 5 20%
Suffolk Indian Field Beach 3 1/mo 5 20%
Suffolk Meschutt Beach 3 1/mo 5 20%
Suffolk Beech Road Beach 3 1/mo 31 19%
Suffolk Tanner Park 1 1/wk 21 19%
Suffolk Gold Star Battalion Beach 1 1/wk 58 19%
Suffolk Prices Bend Beach 3 1/wk 50 18%


County Beach Tier
Suffolk Huntington Beach Community Assoc. 1 1/wk 57 18%
Suffolk Scotts Beach 3 1/mo 29 17%
Suffolk Woodhull Landing 2 2/wk 29 17%
Suffolk Fair Harbor Community Association - Bay 2 1/wk 6 17%
Suffolk Soundview Beach Association 2 1/wk 6 17%
Suffolk West Islip Beach 1 1/wk 60 17%
Suffolk Yardarm Condominium South 3 1/mo 6 17%
Suffolk Centerport Yacht Club 1 1/wk 55 16%
Suffolk Nissequogue Point Beach 2 1/wk 38 16%
Suffolk Heckscher State Park-West Beach 2 1/wk 13 15%
Suffolk Friendship Drive Beach 3 1/wk 20 15%
Suffolk Crab Meadow Beach 3 1/mo 41 15%
Suffolk Sayville Beach 2 1/wk 48 15%
Suffolk Sayville Marina Park 2 1/wk 48 15%
Suffolk Knollwood Beach 1 1/mo 55 15%
Suffolk Ocean Beach - Bay 2 1/wk 7 14%
Suffolk Pickwick Beach 3 1/mo 14 14%
Suffolk Southold Beach 3 1/mo 14 14%
Suffolk West Meadow Beach 2 1/mo 35 14%
Suffolk Asharoken Beach 2 1/wk 43 14%
Suffolk Steers Beach 2 2/wk 43 14%
Suffolk Sound Beach Poa East 3 1/mo 29 14%
Suffolk Bayport Beach 1 1/wk 45 13%
Suffolk Cedar Beach - Mt. Sinai 1 1/wk 38 13%
Suffolk Stony Brook Yacht Club 2 1/wk 38 13%
Suffolk Miller Place Park 3 1/wk 31 13%
Suffolk Port Jefferson Beach West 3 1/mo 31 13%
Suffolk Crescent Beach-Suffolk 3 1/mo 39 13%
Suffolk Eagle Dock Community Beach 1 1/wk 55 13%
Suffolk Pikes Beach 2 1/wk 8 13%
Suffolk Rogers Pavillion 3 1/mo 8 13%
Suffolk Shoreham Beach 3 1/mo 24 13%
Suffolk Head Of The Bay Club 2 1/wk 43 12%
Suffolk Camp Baiting Hollow 3 1/mo 9 11%
Suffolk Islip Beach 2 2/wk 45 11%
Suffolk Shoreham Shore Club 2 1/mo 28 11%
Suffolk Sound Beach Poa West 3 1/mo 28 11%
Suffolk Cedar Beach West 1 1/wk 38 11%
Suffolk Sunken Meadow State Park Beach 3 1/wk 19 11%
Suffolk Sandspit Beach 1 1/wk 58 10%
Suffolk West Oaks Recreation Club 2 1/wk 40 10%


County Beach Tier
Suffolk Corey Creek Beach 3 1/mo 51 10%
Suffolk Baycrest Association Beach 3 1/mo 41 10%
Suffolk Biltmore Beach 1 6/mo 42 10%
Suffolk Nathan Hale Beach Club 3 1/mo 42 10%
Suffolk Heckscher Overlook Beach 2 1/wk 11 9%
Suffolk Little Bay Beach 2 1/wk 11 9%
Suffolk Shirley Beach 3 1/mo 58 9%
Suffolk Old Field Club 2 1/wk 35 9%
Suffolk Benjamins Beach 2 1/mo 59 8%
Suffolk Bayview Beach 3 1/mo 12 8%
Suffolk Camp Dewolfe 3 1/mo 12 8%
Suffolk Haven’s Beach 2 1/wk 24 8%
Suffolk Nassau Point Causeway 3 1/mo 12 8%
Suffolk Schubert Beach 2 1/mo 37 8%
Suffolk Patchogue Village Pool And Beach Club 2 1/wk 38 8%
Suffolk Cedar Beach 3 1/mo 13 8%
Suffolk Cornell Co-Operative Extension Marine Center 2 1/wk 13 8%
Suffolk Fifth Street Park Beach 3 1/mo 13 8%
Suffolk Founder’s Landing 3 1/mo 13 8%
Suffolk Gilgo Beach 3 1/mo 13 8%
Suffolk Goose Creek 2 1/wk 13 8%
Suffolk Mccabe’s Beach 3 1/mo 13 8%
Suffolk Newport Beach Poa 3 1/mo 26 8%
Suffolk Norman Klipp Park 3 1/mo 13 8%
Suffolk Veteran’s Memorial Park 1 2/wk 13 8%
Suffolk Stony Brook Beach 2 1/wk 40 8%
Suffolk Lloyd Harbor Village Park 2 1/mo 54 7%
Suffolk Shoreham Village Beach 3 1/mo 28 7%
Suffolk East Islip Beach 2 1/wk 43 7%
Suffolk Port Jefferson Beach East 3 1/mo 31 6%
Suffolk Centerport Beach 3 1/mo 49 6%
Suffolk Orient Beach State Park 3 1/mo 17 6%
Suffolk West Neck Beach 2 1/wk 52 6%
Suffolk Lloyd Neck Bath Club 2 2/wk 53 6%
Suffolk Long Beach 3 2/wk 37 5%
Suffolk Short Beach 3 1/mo 37 5%
Suffolk Fleets Cove Beach 3 1/mo 57 5%
Suffolk Smith Point County Park 3 1/mo 19 5%
Suffolk Bayberry Beach And Tennis Club 2 1/wk 39 5%
Suffolk Wincoma Beach 2 1/mo 39 5%
Suffolk Brightwaters Beach 3 1/wk 41 5%


County Beach Tier
Suffolk Hobart Beach - Bay 2 1/wk 41 5%
Suffolk Miller Beach Surf Club 3 1/mo 28 4%
Suffolk Belle Terre Beach 3 1/mo 30 3%
Suffolk Fiddlers Green Association 2 1/mo 36 3%
Suffolk Lloyd Harbor Estates 2 1/wk 36 3%
Suffolk Callahan’s Beach 2 1/mo 37 3%
Suffolk Alberts Landing Beach 3 1/mo 5 0%
Suffolk Amagansett Beach Association 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Atlantic Avenue Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Atlantique Beach - Bay 2 1/wk 7 0%
Suffolk Atlantique Beach - Ocean 3 1/mo 4 0%
Suffolk Bath And Tennis Hotel 3 1/mo 8 0%
Suffolk Bathing Corp Of Southampton 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Bayberry Cove Beach 3 1/mo 11 0%
Suffolk Bellport Beach 2 1/wk 4 0%
Suffolk Bridgehampton Club 2 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Bridgehampton Tennis And Surf 2 2/wk 2 0%
Suffolk Camp Quinipet 3 1/mo 4 0%
Suffolk Camp Tekakwitha 3 1/mo 5 0%
Suffolk Clearwater Beach 3 1/mo 5 0%
Suffolk Club At Point O’woods - Ocean 1 1/wk 4 0%
Suffolk Coopers Neck Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Culloden Shores 3 1/wk 2 0%
Suffolk Cupsogue County Park 3 1/mo 8 0%
Suffolk Davis Park Beach 3 1/mo 3 0%
Suffolk Devon Yacht Club, Inc. 3 1/mo 5 0%
Suffolk Ditch Plains Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Dorothy P. Flint Camp 3 1/mo 9 0%
Suffolk Dune Deck Hotel 3 1/mo 8 0%
Suffolk Dunewood Beach 3 1/mo 6 0%
Suffolk Dunewood Poa Beach (Bay) 2 1/mo 5 0%
Suffolk East Lake Drive Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Fair Harbor - Ocean 3 1/mo 5 0%
Suffolk Fisher’s Island Country Club 1 1/wk 1 0%
Suffolk Fleets Neck Beach 3 1/mo 12 0%
Suffolk Flying Point 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Foster Memorial 2 1/wk 5 0%
Suffolk Georgica Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Grantland Beach 3 1/mo 11 0%
Suffolk Great Gun Beach 3 1/mo 3 0%
Suffolk Gurney’s Inn Resort And Spa 2 2/wk 2 0%


County Beach Tier
Suffolk Hay Harbor Club 3 1/mo 1 0%
Suffolk Hermitage At Napeague 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Hither Hills State Park Beach 2 1/wk 18 0%
Suffolk Indian Wells Beach 3 1/mo 1 0%
Suffolk Iron Pier Beach 3 1/mo 12 0%
Suffolk Island People’s Project(Dock Beach) 2 1/wk 1 0%
Suffolk Kenny’s Beach 3 1/mo 13 0%
Suffolk Kirk Park Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Kismet Beach - Ocean 3 1/mo 5 0%
Suffolk Laronde Beach Club, Inc. 3 1/mo 7 0%
Suffolk Lashley Pavillion 3 1/mo 8 0%
Suffolk Maidstone Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Maidstone Club, Inc. 3 1/mo 5 0%
Suffolk Main Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Mattituck Breakwater Beach 2 1/wk 13 0%
Suffolk Mecax(Mecox) Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Minasseroke Beach 2 2/wk 11 0%
Suffolk New Suffolk Beach 2 1/mo 12 0%
Suffolk Nick’s Beach 2 1/wk 2 0%
Suffolk Ocean Beach - Ocean 3 1/mo 4 0%
Suffolk Ocean Colony & Tennis Club 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Overlook Beach 3 1/mo 13 0%
Suffolk Peconic Dunes Camp - Sound 3 1/mo 13 0%
Suffolk Perlman Music Camp 3 1/mo 4 0%
Suffolk Point O’woods Association - Bay 3 1/mo 6 0%
Suffolk Ponquogue Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Pridwin Hotel 2 1/mo 4 0%
Suffolk Quantuck Beach Club 3 1/mo 8 0%
Suffolk Quogue Beach Club 3 1/mo 8 0%
Suffolk Quogue Village Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Reeves Beach 3 1/mo 12 0%
Suffolk Robert Moses State Park Beach - Suffolk County 2 1/wk 19 0%
Suffolk Sagg Main Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Saltaire Beach - Bay 2 1/wk 5 0%
Suffolk Saltaire Beach - Ocean 3 1/mo 5 0%
Suffolk Seaview - Ocean 2 1/wk 5 0%
Suffolk Seaview Beach Association (Bay) 1 1/wk 6 0%
Suffolk Shelter Island Heights Beach Club 3 1/mo 4 0%
Suffolk Silver Sands Motel 1 None 12 0%
Suffolk South Jamesport Beach 2 1/wk 12 0%
Suffolk Southampton Bath And Tennis 2 1/wk 2 0%


County Beach Tier
Suffolk Southampton Peconic Beach And Tennis Club 3 1/mo 5 0%
Suffolk Surf Club Of Quogue 3 1/wk 2 0%
Suffolk Tiana Beach 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Tiana Shores Association 3 1/mo 13 0%
Suffolk Two-Mile Hollow Beach 3 2/wk 2 0%
Suffolk W. Scott Cameron 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Wades Beach 3 1/mo 4 0%
Suffolk Wading River Beach 3 1/mo 12 0%
Suffolk Water Mill Beach Club 3 1/mo 2 0%
Suffolk Westhampton House 2 1/wk 5 0%
Suffolk Wildwood State Park Beach 3 1/mo 13 0%
Suffolk Woodcliff Park Poa 3 1/mo 12 0%
Wayne Pultneyville Mariners Beach 3 1/wk 14 29%
Wayne Sodus Point Lake Side 3 1/wk 6 0%
Wayne Sodus Point Park Bayside 3 1/wk 6 0%
Westchester Shore Acres Club 1 1/wk 15 13%
Westchester Harbor Island Beach 1 1/wk 16 13%
Westchester Orienta Beach Club 1 1/wk 16 13%
Westchester Rye Town Park-Oakland Beach 1 1/wk 16 13%
Westchester Echo Bay Yacht Club 1 1/wk 9 11%
Westchester Coveleigh Beach Club 2 1/wk 15 7%
Westchester Rye Playland Beach 1 1/wk 15 7%
Westchester American Yacht Club 2 1/wk 16 6%
Westchester Hudson Park 1 1/wk 16 6%
Westchester Larchmont Manor Park 1 1/wk 16 6%
Westchester Surf Club 1 1/wk 16 6%
Westchester Beach Point Club 1 1/wk 16 0%
Westchester Beckwithe Pointe 1 1/wk 16 0%
Westchester Davenport Club 2 1/wk 16 0%
Westchester Glen Island Park 1 1/wk 16 0%
Westchester Greentree Club 1 1/wk 16 0%
Westchester Larchmont Shore Club 1 1/wk 16 0%
Westchester Mamaroneck Beach And Cabana Club 1 1/wk 16 0%
Westchester Shenorock Shore Club 2 1/wk 16 0%
Westchester Vip Club 2 1/wk 8 0%
Westchester Westchester Country Club Beach 1 1/wk 16 0%

In 2006, 541 closings, 32 advisories, and 92 rain advisories were issued at New York’s Great Lakes and marine beaches.
Total closing and advisory days for events lasting six consecutive weeks or fewer increased by 55 percent, from 827 days
in 2005 to 1,280 days in 2006. There were two extended closure events in New York in 2005 compared to no extended

events in 2006. The increased number of closures and advisories was due at least in part to heavier rainfall in 2006 than in
2005. Closures for events lasting six consecutive weeks or fewer at New York’s 85 Tier 1 beaches decreased from 1,168 days
in 2004 to 599 days in 2005, then increased to 704 days in 2006. During the time period over which this overall decrease
in closing and advisory days occurred, the overall monitoring frequency at these beaches remained essentially steady.
Closing/Advisory Issuance: When monitoring of water at beaches shows that levels of certain bacteria exceed standards,
New York’s beach managers either notify the public or resample if there is reason to doubt the validity of the original
sample result. Resampling is performed no more than 48 hours after the routine monitoring results indicated an ex-
ceedance. Beach managers notify the public if the resampling exceeds the water quality standard. This notification is
in the form of a sign or functionally equivalent communication measure stating the type of advisory or closing and the
reason it was issued (heavy rainfall, the high levels of bacteria, etc.). Signs are located where they are most likely to be
noticed by beach users: at beach entrances, on bulletin boards, or in the general vicinity of the common swimming areas.
Functionally equivalent communication measures include mass media, such as newspapers, television and radio, the
Internet, telephone hotlines, and technical reports.1 New York City conducts a resampling or issues an advisory or closing
on a case-by-case basis, after analyzing ongoing water quality trends, historical water quality data, reports of pollution
events, and other factors that may be affecting the beach.4 In New York City, signs must be posted for the duration of
closure and advisory events. A website and a hotline are also maintained.4 Generally, advisory and closures in New York
City apply to entire beaches rather than sections of a beach.4
Reopening Procedures: The monitoring frequency at beaches in New York City is increased if a beach is closed or placed
under advisory.
Causes of Closings/Advisories: Sixty-seven percent (855) of closing/advisory days in 2006 were preemptive rain adviso-
ries. Twenty-nine percent (374) were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels. Of these, 49 percent (183)
were from unknown sources of contamination, 49 percent (184) were from stormwater, eight percent (29) were from
sewage overflows, and 2 percent (7) were from other sources. Two percent of closing/advisory days (27) were preemp-
tive in response to known sewage spills, and two percent (24) were preemptive in response to other sources. Totals may
exceed 100 percent because more than one factor may have contributed to a beach closing or advisory.
2006 New York State Coastal and Great Lakes Beach Closings/Advisories
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx American Turners 8/31 8/31 Bacteria
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx American Turners 6/2 6/5 Prempt-rain
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater


Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Bronx American Turners 7/20 7/20 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx American Turners 7/22 7/23 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Pub-treatment-works,
Bronx American Turners 8/24 8/25 Prempt-sew
Sanitary-sew-over
Bronx American Turners 7/19 7/19 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx Danish American Beach Club 8/26 8/30 Bacteria
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx Danish American Beach Club 6/2 6/5 Prempt-rain
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Bronx Danish American Beach Club 7/20 7/20 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Danish American Beach Club 7/22 7/23 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Danish American Beach Club 8/24 8/25 Prempt-sew
Sanitary-sew-over
Bronx Danish American Beach Club 7/19 7/19 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx Manhem Beach Club 8/31 8/31 Bacteria
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx Manhem Beach Club 6/2 6/5 Prempt-rain
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater


Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Bronx Manhem Beach Club 7/20 7/20 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Manhem Beach Club 7/22 7/23 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Manhem Beach Club 8/24 8/25 Prempt-sew
Sanitary-sew-over
Bronx Manhem Beach Club 7/19 7/19 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Bronx Morris Yacht And Beach Club 8/8 8/9 Bacteria (?)
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx Morris Yacht And Beach Club 7/6 7/7 Bacteria
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx Morris Yacht And Beach Club 6/7 6/8 Prempt-rain
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Bronx Morris Yacht And Beach Club 7/20 7/20 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Morris Yacht And Beach Club 7/22 7/23 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Morris Yacht And Beach Club 8/24 8/25 Prempt-sew
Sanitary-sew-over
Bronx Morris Yacht And Beach Club 6/2 6/5 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Bronx Morris Yacht And Beach Club 7/19 7/19 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Bronx Orchard Beach 7/20 7/20 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Orchard Beach 7/22 7/23 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Orchard Beach 8/24 8/25 Prempt-sew
Sanitary-sew-over
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx Schuyler Hill Civic Association 8/26 8/30 Bacteria
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx Schuyler Hill Civic Association 6/2 6/5 Prempt-rain
Stormwater


Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Bronx Schuyler Hill Civic Association 7/20 7/20 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Schuyler Hill Civic Association 7/22 7/23 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Schuyler Hill Civic Association 8/24 8/25 Prempt-sew
Sanitary-sew-over
Bronx Schuyler Hill Civic Association 7/19 7/19 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx Trinity Danish Young People’s Society 8/26 8/30 Bacteria
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx Trinity Danish Young People’s Society 6/2 6/5 Prempt-rain
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Bronx Trinity Danish Young People’s Society 7/20 7/20 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Trinity Danish Young People’s Society 7/22 7/23 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx Trinity Danish Young People’s Society 8/24 8/25 Prempt-sew
Sanitary-sew-over
Bronx Trinity Danish Young People’s Society 7/19 7/19 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx White Cross Fish Club 8/26 8/30 Bacteria
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx White Cross Fish Club 8/31 8/31 Bacteria
Stormwater


Comb-sew-overflow,
Bronx White Cross Fish Club 6/2 6/5 Prempt-rain
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Bronx White Cross Fish Club 7/20 7/20 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx White Cross Fish Club 7/22 7/23 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Bronx White Cross Fish Club 8/24 8/25 Prempt-sew
Sanitary-sew-over
Bronx White Cross Fish Club 7/19 7/19 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Cayuga Fair Haven Beach State Park 7/15 7/15 Bacteria Stormwater
Cayuga Fair Haven Beach State Park 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Chautauqua Lake Erie State Park Beach 6/30 7/5 Bacteria Other
Chautauqua Lake Erie State Park Beach 8/9 8/9 Bacteria Other
Chautauqua Lake Erie State Park Beach 7/13 7/13 Bacteria Stormwater
Chautauqua Lake Erie State Park Beach 7/28 7/28 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Chautauqua Point Gratiot Beach 6/20 7/5 Bacteria Stormwater
Chautauqua Wright Park East 6/13 6/15 Bacteria Stormwater
Chautauqua Wright Park West 6/13 6/15 Bacteria Stormwater


Erie Bennett Beach 8/5 8/6 Bacteria (?)
Erie Bennett Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Erie Evans Town Park 7/18 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Erie Evans Town Park 7/3 7/3 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Erie Hamburg Bathing Beach 8/7 8/8 Bacteria (?)
Erie Hamburg Bathing Beach 8/15 8/15 Bacteria (?)
Erie Hamburg Bathing Beach 7/27 7/28 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Hamburg Bathing Beach 8/19 8/20 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Hamburg Bathing Beach 6/4 6/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Erie Lake Erie Beach 8/5 8/7 Bacteria (?)
Erie Lake Erie Beach 7/12 7/19 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Erie Pioneer Camp 7/18 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Erie Pioneer Camp 6/19 6/21 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Erie Point Breeze Camp 7/1 7/24 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Erie St. Vincent Depaul Beach 7/12 7/13 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Erie Wendt Beach 7/27 7/31 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Woodlawn Beach - Woodlawn Beach
Erie 7/16 7/16 Bacteria (?)
State Park


Erie 8/8 8/8 Bacteria (?)
State Park
Erie 7/1 7/4 Bacteria Stormwater
State Park
State Park
State Park
State Park
State Park
State Park
State Park
State Park
State Park
Kings Gerritsen/Kiddie Beach 8/23 8/23 Bacteria (?)
Comb-sew-overflow,
Kings Gerritsen/Kiddie Beach 8/30 8/31 Bacteria
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Kings Gerritsen/Kiddie Beach 6/2 6/5 Prempt-rain
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Stormwater
Kings Gerritsen/Kiddie Beach 7/19 7/24 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kings Kingsborough Community College 8/10 8/10 Bacteria (?)
Kings Kingsborough Community College 7/5 7/5 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Kings Manhattan Beach 7/5 7/5 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Monroe Durand Beach 8/29 8/29 Prempt-rain Septic,Stormwater
Monroe Durand Beach 8/8 8/8 Prempt-other Stormwater


Prempt-rain,
Monroe Durand Beach 7/22 7/22 Stormwater
Prempt-other
Prempt-rain,
Prempt-other
Prempt-rain,
Prempt-other
Prempt-rain,
Prempt-other
Monroe Hamlin Beach Area 4 7/7 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Hamlin Beach State Park-Area 3 7/7 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Monroe Ontario Beach 7/5 7/7 Prempt-other Stormwater
Monroe Ontario Beach 6/28 6/28 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Prempt-rain,
Monroe Ontario Beach 8/3 8/4 Stormwater
Prempt-other
Nassau Bar Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Biltmore Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Centre Island Bay Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Nassau Centre Island Sound Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Crescent Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Hempstead Harbor Beach Park 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Hewlett Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Inc. Village Of Laurel Hollow 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Island Park Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Lattington Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Merrick Estates Civic Association 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Morgan Memorial Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Phillip Healey 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Nassau Piping Rock Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Prybil Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Ransom Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Seacliff Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Soundside Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Stehli Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Tappan Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau The Creek Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau Theodore Roosevelt Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Nassau West Harbor Memorial Beach 7/6 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Niagara Krull Park 7/13 7/14 Bacteria Stormwater


Niagara Wilson - Tuscarora State Park Beach 7/6 7/7 Bacteria (?)
Niagara Wilson - Tuscarora State Park Beach 7/9 7/12 Bacteria (?)
Niagara Wilson - Tuscarora State Park Beach 8/16 8/16 Prempt-other Other
Niagara Wilson - Tuscarora State Park Beach 9/3 9/5 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Oswego Selkirk Shores State Park Beach 7/13 7/13 Bacteria Other
Queens Douglas Manor 8/3 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Comb-sew-overflow,
Queens Douglas Manor 8/26 8/30 Bacteria
Septic,Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Queens Douglas Manor 6/2 6/5 Prempt-rain
Septic,Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Septic,Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Septic,Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Septic,Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Septic,Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Septic,Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Septic,Stormwater
Comb-sew-overflow,
Septic,Stormwater
Queens Douglas Manor 7/20 7/20 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Queens Douglas Manor 7/22 7/23 Prempt-sew Pub-treatment-works
Queens Douglas Manor 8/24 8/25 Prempt-sew
Sanitary-sew-over
Queens Douglas Manor 7/19 7/19 Prempt-rain Septic,Stormwater
Richmond Midland Beach/South Beach 7/5 7/5 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Richmond South Beach 7/5 7/5 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Amityville Beach 8/12 8/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Amityville Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Asharoken Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Suffolk Bay Hills Poa 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Bayberry Beach And Tennis Club 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Baycrest Association Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Bayport Beach 8/17 8/17 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Bayport Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Beech Road Beach 7/5 7/9 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Benjamins Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Brightwaters Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Broadway Beach Broadway Beach 9/4 9/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Broadway Beach Broadway Beach 7/5 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Cedar Beach 7/14 7/16 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Suffolk Cedar Beach West 7/13 7/16 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Centerport Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Centerport Yacht Club 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club 6/27 6/27 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club 8/9 8/10 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Corey Creek Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Crab Meadow Beach 7/5 7/9 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Crescent Beach-Suffolk 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Eagle Dock Community Beach 8/9 8/10 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Eagle Dock Community Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk East Islip Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Suffolk Fleets Cove Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Friendship Drive Beach 9/4 9/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Friendship Drive Beach 8/28 8/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Friendship Drive Beach 9/1 9/3 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Gold Star Battalion Beach 8/9 8/11 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Gold Star Battalion Beach 8/30 9/12 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Gold Star Battalion Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Haven’s Beach 8/28 8/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Haven’s Beach 9/1 9/3 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Head Of The Bay Club 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Hobart Beach - Bay 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Huntington Beach Community Assoc. 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Islip Beach 8/30 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Islip Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Knollwood Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Lloyd Harbor Village Park 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Suffolk Lloyd Neck Bath Club 8/9 8/10 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Lloyd Neck Bath Club 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Long Beach 8/14 8/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Long Beach 8/28 8/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Miller Beach Surf Club 8/28 8/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Miller Beach Surf Club 9/1 9/3 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Miller Place Park 7/13 7/13 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Nathan Hale Beach Club 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Nissequogue Point Beach 8/14 8/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Nissequogue Point Beach 8/28 8/30 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Nissequogue Point Beach 9/1 9/3 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Old Field Club 8/9 8/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Old Field Club 8/28 8/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Orient Beach State Park 6/25 6/25 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Patchogue Village Pool And Beach
Suffolk 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Club
Club
Club
Club
Suffolk Port Jefferson Beach East 7/5 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Port Jefferson Beach West 6/28 6/29 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Port Jefferson Beach West 7/5 7/6 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Prices Bend Beach 6/27 6/27 Bacteria (?)


Suffolk Prices Bend Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Sandspit Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Sayville Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Sayville Marina Park 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Schubert Beach 8/14 8/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Schubert Beach 8/28 8/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Scotts Beach 7/13 7/13 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Shirley Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Shoreham Shore Club 7/13 7/13 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Shoreham Village Beach 7/13 7/13 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Short Beach 8/14 8/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Short Beach 8/28 8/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Short Beach 9/1 9/3 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Sound Beach Poa East 9/4 9/6 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Sound Beach Poa East 8/28 8/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Sound Beach Poa East 9/1 9/3 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Sound Beach Poa West 7/13 7/13 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Steers Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Suffolk Stony Brook Beach 8/14 8/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Stony Brook Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Stony Brook Yacht Club 8/14 8/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Stony Brook Yacht Club 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Tides Property Owners Association 7/24 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Tides Property Owners Association 9/4 9/15 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Tides Property Owners Association 7/5 7/9 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Valley Grove Beach 7/7 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk Valley Grove Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Vanderbilt Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Venetian Shores 7/20 7/25 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk West Islip Beach 8/9 8/17 Bacteria (?)
Suffolk West Islip Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk West Meadow Beach 8/11 8/15 Bacteria (?)


Suffolk West Meadow Beach 8/28 8/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk West Neck Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk West Oaks Recreation Club 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Wincoma Beach 6/26 6/26 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Suffolk Woodhull Landing 7/13 7/13 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Wayne Pultneyville Mariners Beach 7/19 7/26 Bacteria (?)
Wayne Pultneyville Mariners Beach 8/30 8/31 Bacteria (?)
Westchester Beach Point Club 6/24 6/25 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Westchester Echo Bay Yacht Club 6/24 6/25 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Westchester Harbor Island Beach 6/24 6/25 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Westchester Hudson Park 6/24 6/25 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Westchester Mamaroneck Beach And Cabana Club 6/24 6/25 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Westchester Orienta Beach Club 6/24 6/25 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Westchester Shore Acres Club 6/24 6/25 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Comb-sew-overflow, combined sewer overflow; Preempt-algae:
preemptive due to algae; Preempt-debris, preemptive due to debris; Preempt-rain, preemptive due to heavy rainfall; Preempt-sew, preemptive due
to sewage discharge or spill; Preempt-turbidity, preemptive due to turbidity, or cloudiness; Preempt-water temp, preemptive due to shifting water
temperatures; Preempt-wave-action, preemptive due to wave action; Pub-treatment-works, publicly owned treatment works; Sanitary-sew-over,
sanitary sewer overflow; (?), unknown.
Notes
1 New York State Department of Economic Development, http://www.iloveny.com/AboutNY/TopFacts. aspx as viewed on 7/16/2007
2 United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA’s BEACH Report: New York 2006 Swimming Season, June 2007.
3 New York Harbor Water Quality Survey, New York State Department of Sanitation, 1993.
4 New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2006 NYC Beach Survelliance (sic) and Monitoring Program Summary, October 2006.

North Carolina
Most of North Carolina’s 241 public coastal beaches, which stretch along 415 miles of Atlantic waters, are located on
barrier islands. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) began monitor-
ing beaches along the North Carolina coast in 1997. In 2006, through a program administered by the NCDENR,
water quality monitoring was conducted at all public coastal beaches in the state. This agency does all of the beach sam-
pling, analysis, and public notification activities in North
Carolina. Seventeen counties have marine coastline, and all
have at least one beach that is monitored. of samples exceeding the standard
Even though the barrier islands are sparsely developed, remained steady at 2 percent in 2006
they are affected by visits from millions of tourists each year.
and 2005.
These beaches are threatened by pollution from agricultural,
septic system, and development runoff into estuarine and bay waters, particularly in the southern region of the state, where
Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Cape Lookout National Seashore, and many of the most popular beach communities are
located. Except for areas adjacent to storm drains, beaches along the open ocean are not as affected by stormwater as beaches
on the sound side.1 The NCDENR has a $15 million grant to do extensive studies and implement best management prac-
tices for ocean stormdrains in Dare County.1 Most beach advisories occur on the sound side, particularly at beaches where
waterfowl congregate and in areas where there is a lack of tidal action and water circulation because of the distance from an
ocean inlet.1
NCDENR does not have the authority to close beaches: it issues alerts and advisories only. However, the state and
county health directors do have the authority to close any body of water if necessary for the protection of public health.1
North Carolina’s swim season is from April to October. During the off-season, advisories are not posted, but sampling
continues on a less frequent basis.2
North Carolina received a $302,480 BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $303,920 grant in 2005. The
state funds monitoring of Tier 2 and Tier 3 beaches (about half of the beaches) while the EPA grant pays for monitor-
ing at Tier 1 beaches.2 The annual contribution from the state to the monitoring program is approximately $240,000.1
Tourism in North Carolina is contributes $15.4 billion to the state’s economy and generates 187,200 related jobs.
Standards
Standards: For its Tier 1 beaches, from May through September, North Carolina’s water quality standards are a single-
sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml water and a running monthly geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml. These standards
match the BEACH Act–required standards for full-body water-contact recreation in marine waters. Action levels at
Tier 2 and Tier 3 beaches are different. at Tier 2 beaches, the standard is a single-sample maximum of 276 cfu/100 ml,
and at Tier 3 beaches, the standard is a single-sample maximum of 500 cfu/100 ml.3 State legislation passed in 2004
codified these standards.4 During April and October, the standard for Tier 1 beaches is generally the same as the standard
for Tier 2 beaches.2 However, the NCDENR can opt to apply Tier 1 standards during those months if the water tempera
ture is warm enough for high recreational usage.1
Beach advisories are issued when pumping of floodwaters between the primary dune and the ocean beaches occurs
and when disposal of dredge material from closed shellfishing waters on ocean beaches occurs.2 Permanent signs are
posted on either side of stormdrain outfalls stating that swimming between the signs is not recommended and that waters
may be contaminated by discharge from the pipe.1 Advisories are also issued after known sewage spills. During extreme
rain events, the NCDENR sometimes issue blanket advisories that cover large regions or all of coastal North Carolina.1
Monitoring
Frequency: North Carolina reported 240 monitoring sites in 2006. These sites represented all public coastal beaches in
the state. Thirty-eight percent (92) were at Tier 1 beaches that were monitored weekly from April through September
NC.1 Natural Resources Defense Council
and twice a month in October. The remaining 62 percent (148) were at Tier 2 and 3 beaches, which are monitored twice
a month between April and October. All beaches are monitored once a month from November to March.
North Carolina has prioritized its beaches based on usage and potential for contamination. Tier 1 beaches are adjacent
to resort areas, public accesses, and summer camps and are used on a daily basis. All ocean beaches are considered Tier 1.
Tier 2 beaches constitute areas such as those in the intracoastal waterway, tidal creeks, and exposed shoals. People fre-
quent Tier 2 sites mostly on weekends and these sites are usually accessed by watercraft. Tier 3 beaches are used an aver-
age of four times per month, or used less frequently but intensively for special events such as triathlons.
Lateral sampling to determine the extent of the plume from discharging stormdrains is done in Dare County. Lateral
sampling is also done at some sites when the geometric mean is exceeded in order to determine the extent of the con-
taminated area.2
Practice: Samplers take care not to disturb bottom sediment when sampling. Samples are collected in the ocean surf
16 feet from the sampler’s body using a telescopic golf ball retriever in knee-deep water, six to 12 inches below the
surface of the water. Half of the samples are collected by boat, and these samples are taken in water that is three feet
deep, 12 inches below the surface. Samples taken from piers must be taken at the location of the most used area six to
12 inches below the water’s surface. Stormdrains that extend to the water’s edge are sampled 10 feet on either side when
practical. Storm drains that do not extend to the water’s edge are sampled where the swash enters the surf.2
Sampling is routinely conducted Monday to Thursday, but takes place on Fridays and weekends if necessary. Sampling
is conducted early enough in to day for the samples to be received by the lab before 2 pm. Sample results are avail-
able approximately 24 hours after samples are delivered to the lab for analysis. In addition to recording sampling data,
samplers record rainfall, air and water temperature, wind speed and direction, current direction, tidal stage, and presence
of waterfowl and wildlife.2
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded North
Carolina’s daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standard
remained steady at 2 percent in 2006 and 2005.
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Town Creek in Carteret County (15%),
Southern Shores Private Soundside Access in Dare County (14%), Banks Channel-Waynick Blvd. approx. 150 yds N of
Iula St. (13%) and Banks Channel - Waynick Blvd. between Snyder and Seashore St in New Hanover County (12%),
and Public Beach S side of Dawson Crk Bridge in Pamlico County (12%).
Seventy percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Pender and
Camden Counties had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (100%), followed by Craven (88%),
Carteret (85%), Hyde (80%), Brunswick (77%), New Hanover (76%), Dare (76%), Pamlico (70%), Beaufort (67%),
Currituck (67%), and Onslow (50%). Five counties whose lone coastal beach did not exceed the standards are Bertie,
Chowan, Pasquotank, Perquimans, and Tyrrell counties. The table below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and
percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in
descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Dock on S. Side of Hwy 92 Bridge on The W. Side
Beaufort 3 2/mo 17 6%
of Bath
Beaufort Pamlico River- Broad Creek Marker #3 3 2/mo 20 5%
Pamlico River- Junction of Upper Goose Creek and
Dinah’s Lan
Sound Access at the Intersection of E. Main St. and
Tooley S


County Beach Tier
Beaufort E Shore of Blounts Bay- Pamlico River 2 2/mo 19 0%
Beaufort Pamlico River- City Park 3 2/mo 20 0%
Beaufort Pamlico River- Just N of Fork Pt 1 1/wk 9 0%
Beaufort Pamlico River- Maul’s Point 3 2/mo 19 0%
Beaufort Pamlico River- Tripp Point Recrational Area 3 2/mo 19 0%
Beaufort Pamlico River- Washington- Railroad Trestle 3 2/mo 19 0%
Beaufort SE of Austin Pt- Pamlico River 2 2/mo 19 0%
Beaufort W of Hills Point- Pamlico River 2 2/mo 19 0%
Boat Ramp at The Intersection of Sr 1500 and
Bertie 2/mo 16 0%
Vincent St.
Intracoastal Waterway, Beach Area Between
Brunswick 2 2/mo 20 10%
Marker #28 & Marke
Brunswick Icw, Overhead Powerlines Behind Oak Island 3 2/mo 20 5%
Intracoastal Waterway, Waterfront Park at End of
NE 52nd St
Brunswick South Beach Area- Beach Access # 17 1 1/wk 28 4%
Brunswick Ocean Pier at Ocean Blvd. and Durham St. 1 1/wk 33 3%
Caswell Beach Public Access Off Caswell Beach
Brunswick 1 1/wk 34 3%
Rd.
Ocean Pier Between 14th and 15th Place East and
Beach Dr.
Beach Access Between Bald Head Harbor Entrance
& Bald Head C
Cape Fear River, Beach Area Adjacent to Southport
Municipal
Brunswick East Beach Area- Beach Access #42 1 1/wk 27 0%
Brunswick Ferry Road Public Access 1 1/wk 33 0%
Greensboro St. Emergency Vehicle Access/
Stormwater Outfall
Brunswick Icw, E. of Bridge at the Mouth of Jink’s Creek 2 2/mo 19 0%
Brunswick Icw, Marker #41 Near Lockwood Folly River 2 2/mo 19 0%
Brunswick Icw, Marker #59 Near Holden Beach 2 2/mo 19 0%
Brunswick Icw, Soundside Access at E. End of Ocean Isle Bch. 2 2/mo 19 0%
Brunswick Icw, Southport Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall 3 2/mo 19 0%
Intracoastal Waterway, Beach Area Adjacent to
Howells Pt Wil
Intracoastal Waterway, Marker#67 Near Holden
Beach
Intracoastal Waterway, Shoreline Adjacent to Ocean
Isle Wild
Brunswick Lockwood Folly River, Marker # 5 2 2/mo 19 0%
Brunswick Mouth of Shallotte River at Bowen Point 2 2/mo 19 0%
Brunswick Oak Island Wildlife Ramp Off Fish Factory Rd 2 2/mo 19 0%
Brunswick Ocean Pier at 30th Place West and Beach Dr. 1 1/wk 33 0%


County Beach Tier
Brunswick Ocean Pier at Causeway and First St. 1 1/wk 33 0%
Brunswick Ocean Pier at Main St. and Sunset Blvd. 1 1/wk 33 0%
Brunswick Public Access at 40th and Main St. 1 1/wk 33 0%
Brunswick Public Access at First and Chadbourn St. 1 1/wk 33 0%
Brunswick Public Access at Ocean Dr. and Keziah St. 1 1/wk 33 0%
Shollotte River Adjacent to Area Known as ‘The
Swash’
Camden Canal Boat Ramp on Sr 1153 3 2/mo 19 0%
Camden Sound Access on Sr 1153 3 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Town Crk. 1 1/wk 33 15%
Carteret Wards Shore- Bogue Sound 2 2/mo 19 5%
Carteret Icw, Marker #44 3 2/mo 20 5%
Carteret Newport River- Public Access Nw of Bridge 2 2/mo 20 5%
Carteret North River- at Hwy 70 Bridge 2 2/mo 20 5%
Carteret West End of Sugarloaf Island, Moreheach City 2 2/mo 20 5%
Carteret Mile Post 4 1/2, Oceanside of Pelican Dr. 1 1/wk 32 3%
Carteret Radio Island Public Beach Access 1 1/wk 32 3%
Carteret 1/2 Mile W of Mile Marker 10, Oceanside 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret 1/4 Mile W of 20 1/2 Mile Marker, Oceanside 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret 100 Yds. NE Gallant’s Channel Bridge By Shore 3 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Adams Creek Off Silver Dollar Rd 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Ao- ~2 miles S of Brown’s Inlet 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret Ao- Public Beach Access, Inlet Rd. 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret Bogue Inlet Mouth of Coast Guard Channel 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Bogue Sd.- Archer Point 2 2/mo 19 0%
Bogue Sound- 750 Yds. E. of Atlantic Beach Bridge,
Carteret 2 2/mo 19 0%
N Side
Carteret Bogue Sound- Boat Landing Tourist Center 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Bogue Sound- Canal Leading to Moonlite Bay 3 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Bogue Sound- E Side of Mouth of Gales Creek 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Bogue Sound- Goose Creek, Off Campground 2 2/mo 18 0%
Bouge Sound- W Salter Path, ~200 Yds Off of Wam
Squam Ln
Carteret Broad Crk. - Highway 24 Bridge 3 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Cape Lookout Coast Guard Dock 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Ccc - Aquatic Education Location 2 2/mo 11 0%
Carteret Core Sd.- Shell Point Off Harkers Island 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Core Sound White Point 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Deer Crk - Public Access End of Bogue Sound Dr 2 2/mo 18 0%
Carteret Drum Inlet N Side (Inside) 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Fort Macon, Park Access 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret Harker’s Island Bridge at Swimming Area 2 2/mo 19 0%


County Beach Tier
Headen Ln. Salter Path- Soundside ~200 Yds. Off
Shore
Carteret Icw- Marker #40a, By Island 2 2/mo 1 0%
Carteret Icw, Ski Beach, Mouth of Bogue Inlet 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Knob Island- N Side 2 2/mo 18 0%
Carteret Lennoxville Boat Ramp 3 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Mile Marker 15, Oceanside 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret Mile Marker 7 1/2, Oceanside 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret Mile Post 19 1/2, Oceanside 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret N End of Old Ferry Rd., Soundside 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Near Mouth of Gatlin Crk 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Ocean End of Central Dr., Atlantic Ocean 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret Ocean End of Henderson Blvd.., Ao 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret Ocean End of New Bern St., Ao 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret Off Brown’s Island 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Park Service Dock 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Public Access Near Fawn Drive In Emerald Isle 1 1/wk 31 0%
Carteret Shackelford Banks- By Restrooms 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Shackelford Banks- Nun Bouy #2 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Spoils Island Off Salty Shores 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret Taylor’s Creek at Post Office Dock 2 2/mo 19 0%
Carteret W Side of Mouth of South River 2 2/mo 18 0%
Carteret Whitehurst Island E of Marker 24 2 2/mo 19 0%
Chowan Chowan River Wildlife Ramp - East Side of Bridge 3 2/mo 12 0%
Craven Mouth of Back Creek - Left Side By Beach 3 2/mo 19 5%
Craven Mouth of Slocum Creek, Right Side 3 2/mo 18 0%
Neuse River- 200 Yds. N of Mouth of North West
Craven 3 2/mo 18 0%
Creek
Craven Neuse River- Flanner’s Beach 2 2/mo 18 0%
Craven Neuse River- Great Neck Point 2 2/mo 19 0%
Craven Neuse River- Green Spring Swim Area 2 2/mo 18 0%
Craven Neuse River- Pine Cliff Recreation Area 2 2/mo 18 0%
Craven Neuse River- Union Point 3 2/mo 18 0%
Currituck Dock at The End of Sr 1245 3 2/mo 20 10%
Currituck Park on Woodhouse Dr. Grandy, Nc 3 2/mo 21 10%
Currituck Swimming Area at End of Sr 1142 3 2/mo 20 5%
100 Yrds Offshore In Sound Near Intersection of
Currituck 2 2/mo 19 0%
Hwy 12 and A
Currituck Ao- 2.8 Miles N of Corolla Ramp 1 1/wk 34 0%
Currituck Corolla Lighthouse Beach Access 1 1/wk 34 0%
Currituck Corolla Ramp, End of Paved Rd. 1 1/wk 34 0%
Currituck Corolla, Albacore St. Beach Access 1 1/wk 34 0%


County Beach Tier
Currituck Currituck S Beach Access at Pine Island 1 1/wk 34 0%
Dare Southern Shores Private Soundside Access 1 1/wk 37 14%
Dare Drain Pipe at Martin Street 1 1/wk 34 6%
Dare Drain Pipe at S Nags Head/Federal Park Border 1 1/wk 34 6%
Dare Jockey’s Ridge Soundside Access 1 1/wk 34 6%
Dare Colingtpon Harbour Swimming Beach 1 1/wk 35 6%
Dare Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park 3 2/mo 19 5%
Dare Bath House at Ocean Bay Dr 1 1/wk 34 3%
Dare Bath House on Sr 1206 1 1/wk 34 3%
Dare Beach Access at Sportsman Dr. 1 1/wk 34 3%
Dare Conch St Beach Access 1 1/wk 34 3%
Dare Drain Pipe at Hollowell St 1 1/wk 34 3%
Dare Drain Pipe at Lake Dr Beach Access 1 1/wk 34 3%
Dare Drain Pipe at Mp 10.5 1 1/wk 34 3%
Dare Drain Pipe at Mp 8 3/4 1 1/wk 34 3%
Dare 1 1/2 Mi Sw of Ro Plant 2 2/mo 18 0%
Dare 1/4 Mi E of Ems Station 1 1/wk 33 0%
100 Yrds Ene of Little Bridge, Causeway, Nags
Dare 2 2/mo 19 0%
Head
Dare 100 Yrds Offshore at Island Creek Ct. - Avon, Nc 2 2/mo 18 0%
Dare 100 Yrds Offshore at North Holiday Rd. - Rodanthe 2 2/mo 18 0%
Dare 100 Yrds Offshore at Sunset Strip Dr. - Frisco, Nc 2 2/mo 18 0%
100 Yrds. Offshore of 7517 S. Va. Dare Trail, Nags
Dare 2 2/mo 19 0%
Head
Dare 100ft North of Jennett’s Pier 1 1/wk 34 0%
Dare 2mi Sw of Frisco Vol Fire Dept 3 2/mo 18 0%
3/4 Miles N. of Sound Access Across From Ramp
Dare 2 2/mo 18 0%
#29
500 Yds. Offshore, 100 Yrds. S of E. Side of Wright
Dare 2 2/mo 19 0%
Memorial
Dare 500 Yrds Off Sandyridge Rd.- Currituck Sd. 2 2/mo 19 0%
Dare 500 Yrds Off Spy Glass Rd.- Currituck Sd. 2 2/mo 19 0%
Dare 750 Yrds Off Ocean Bay Blvd.- Currituck Sd. 2 2/mo 19 0%
Dare 800 Yrds Off Sr 1425 2 2/mo 19 0%
Dare Beach Access 1 1/2 Mile N of Kitty Hawk Pier 1 1/wk 34 0%
Dare Beach Access at 3rd St 1 1/wk 34 0%
Dare Beach Access at Sprigtail Dr. 1 1/wk 34 0%
Dare Beach Access S of Refuge Offices 1 1/wk 33 0%
Dare Beach at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 1 1/wk 33 0%
Dare Canadian Hole 2 2/mo 18 0%
Dare Drain Pipe at Mp 12.5 1 1/wk 34 0%
Dare Drain Pipe at Oregon St 1 1/wk 34 0%


County Beach Tier
Dare Federal Campground 1 1/wk 33 0%
Dare Frisco Bath House 1 1/wk 33 0%
Dare Hillcrest Dr. Access 1 1/wk 33 0%
Kitty Hawk Bay Wildlife Ramp, In Jet Ski Riding
Dare 2 2/mo 19 0%
Area
Dare Nags Head Bath House 1 1/wk 34 0%
Dare New Inlet Sound Access 3 2/mo 18 0%
Dare Northernmost Beach Access 1 1/wk 33 0%
Dare Ocean Ramp #30 1 1/wk 33 0%
Dare Oregon Inlet Coastguard Station 3 2/mo 19 0%
Dare Oregon Inlet Federal Campground 1 1/wk 33 0%
Dare Ramp #23 and Access 1 1/wk 33 0%
Roanoke Sound - Danube Street D/P South Nags
Dare 2 2/mo 19 0%
Head
Dare Shallowbag Bay Waterfront Gazebo 2 2/mo 19 0%
Dare Sound Access Across From Ramp #29 2 2/mo 18 0%
Dare Southeast Side of Mann’s Harbor Bridge 3 2/mo 20 0%
Dare S-Turns’ Just N of Rodanthe 1 1/wk 33 0%
Dare The Swimming Hole 2 2/mo 19 0%
Dare The Swimming Hole 3 2/mo 2 0%
Hyde Swanquarter Bay- End of Docks on Sr 1136 3 2/mo 18 6%
Hyde Ao- 5 Miles Sw of Ocracoke State Ferry 1 1/wk 33 0%
Hyde Beach Access By Airport Ramp 1 1/wk 33 0%
Hyde Federal Campground- Ocracoke 1 1/wk 33 0%
Hyde Ocracoke- 1st Public Access Sw of State Ferry 1 1/wk 33 0%
New Hanover Fort Fisher- Beach Adjacent to Ncwrc Ramp 2 2/mo 21 14%
Banks Channel - Waynick Blvd. Approx. 150 Yds N
New Hanover 1 1/wk 46 13%
of Iula St.
Banks Channel - Waynick Blvd. Between Snyder
and Seashore St
Banks Channel - Waynick Blvd. - Between Taylor
and Bellamy S
New Hanover Ocean Pier at K. Ave. 1 1/wk 34 3%
New Hanover Area Behind The Northern End of Masonboro Island 2 2/mo 20 0%
Banks Channel, Swimming Beach South of Coast
New Hanover 2 2/mo 21 0%
Guard Station
Cape Fear River, Junction of Snow’s Cut and Cape
Fear River
Carolina Beach - Public Beach Access at Hamlet
Ave.
New Hanover Carolina Beach Inlet- N. End of Carolina Beach 2 2/mo 19 0%


County Beach Tier
Fort Fisher Beach State Park Access Off
Loggerhead Rd.
Icw, Middle Sd. Between Mason’s Cr. and Page’s
Cr.
Intracoastal Waterway, Masonboro Sound Near
Marker # 135
New Hanover Middle Sound at Nixon’s Channel 2 2/mo 19 0%
New Hanover Middle Sound at South End of Figure Eight Island 2 2/mo 19 0%
N. End of Wrightsville Beach at Public Access #2
Off Lumina
New Hanover Ocean Pier at Nathan St. and S. Lumina Dr. 1 1/wk 34 0%
New Hanover Ocean Pier at Salisbury St. Public Access 1 1/wk 33 0%
Ocean Pier Near Carolina Beach Ave. and Salt
Marsh Ave.
New Hanover Public Access at The Hanby Beach Storm Drain 1 1/wk 33 0%
New Hanover Wrightsville Sound at Stokley Cut 2 2/mo 19 0%
Hancock Creek Just South Mouth of Cahooque
Not Applicable 3 2/mo 18 0%
Creek
Onslow New River, Hyw 24 Bridge, Jacksonville 3 2/mo 26 35%
Onslow New River at Day Marker #61 3 2/mo 25 28%
Onslow New River, Wilson Park 3 2/mo 23 17%
Onslow New River at Hadnot Pt 2 2/mo 19 5%
New River, Area Between Marker #18 and Poverty
Onslow 2 2/mo 19 5%
Point
Onslow New River, Cedar Point 2 2/mo 19 5%
Onslow Icw, Swan Point 2 2/mo 20 5%
Onslow New River, Nc Hwy. 172 Bridge 2 2/mo 20 5%
Ocean Pier Between Mile Markers 17 and 18 on
Onslow 1 1/wk 33 3%
New River Inlet
Regional Public Access at Mile Marker 12 on New
Onslow 1 1/wk 33 3%
River Inlet
Onslow Ao- ~1 Mile S of Bogue Inlet 1 1/wk 30 0%
Onslow Bogue Sd.- 1/2 Mile S of Bear Inlet, Soundside 2 2/mo 20 0%
Onslow Icw, Marker #25 at Alligator Bay 3 2/mo 19 0%
Intracoastal Waterway, Stump Sound at Mouth of
Onslow 3 2/mo 19 0%
Turkey Creek
Onslow N Side of Onslow Beach Bridge, at Dock 3 2/mo 1 0%
Onslow New River at Mouth of Southwest Creek 2 2/mo 19 0%
Onslow Beach - Public Beach Access ~1/4 Mile
Onslow 2 2/mo 24 0%
South of Onslow
Regional Public Access at Mile Marker 17 on New
Onslow 1 1/wk 33 0%
River Inlet
Onslow Sander Creek at Bear Creek 2 2/mo 19 0%
Onslow Sound Side Bear Island 3 2/mo 19 0%
Pamlico Vandemere Creek 2 2/mo 22 14%


County Beach Tier
Pamlico Public Beach S Side of Dawson Crk Bridge 1 1/wk 34 12%
Pamlico Dawson Crk., 100 Yds N of Bridge 2 2/mo 18 6%
Pamlico Just E of The Mouth of Beard Ck 2 2/mo 19 0%
Pamlico Just E of Wilkinson Pt 2 2/mo 19 0%
Pamlico Kennals Beach 2 2/mo 18 0%
Pamlico Neuse River- End of State Rd 1310 2 2/mo 19 0%
Pamlico Neuse River- Oriental, Whittaker Creek 3 2/mo 19 0%
Pamlico Pamlico River- Ragged Point Swim Area 3 2/mo 19 0%
Public Beach Sw Mouth of Whittaker Creek, N of
Pamlico 2 2/mo 19 0%
Marker #3
Pasquotank Pasquatank River- E.C. Coast Guard Station Beach 3 2/mo 19 0%
Pender Icw, Hwy. 210 Bridge at Surf City 2 2/mo 19 0%
Pender Icw, Marker #110 In Middle Sound 2 2/mo 19 0%
Pender Icw, Marker #92 In Topsail Sound 2 2/mo 19 0%
Pender Icw, Marker #98 In Topsail Sound 2 2/mo 19 0%
Pender Public Access #O-10 at Ocean Blvd and Crews Ave. 1 1/wk 33 0%
Pender Public Access #O-3 at Mile Marker 3 1 1/wk 33 0%
Public Access #S-1 at End of Shoreline Dr.
Pender 1 1/wk 33 0%
(Soundside Statio
Pender Public Access at S. Shore Dr. and Kinstion Ave. 1 1/wk 33 0%
Pender Stump Sound Just East of Dixon Point 2 2/mo 19 0%
Perquimans Albemarle Sd. at End of Holiday Lane Rd. 3 2/mo 19 0%
Albemarle Sound - Tyrell County 4-H Camp, Bull Bay
Tyrrell 3 2/mo 12 0%
Swimming
Advisories
Thirty-nine advisory events were issued at North Carolina’s public coastal beaches in 2006. Total advisory days for events
lasting six consecutive weeks or less increased 76 percent, from 197 days in 2005 to 346 days in 2006. There were two
extended advisory events in North Carolina in 2006 compared to one extended and one permanent advisory event in
2005. Closings and advisories at North Carolina’s 93 Tier 1 beaches decreased from 241 days in 2004 to 48 days in 2005,
then increased to 283 days in 2006. During the time period over which this overall increase in advisory days occurred,
the overall monitoring frequency at these beaches was steady.
Advisory Issuance: When tier-based action levels are exceeded, a swimming advisory or alert is issued. An alert is issued
for Tier 1 beaches whose enterococcus levels are between 104 and 500 cfu/100 ml. A second sample is collected immedi-
ately when an alert is issued, and if levels in the re-sample exceed 104 cfu/100 ml, then the alert converts to an advisory.
An advisory is also issued when two out of three simultaneous samples exceed 104 cfu/100 ml for Tier 1 beaches that are
sampled in triplicate. For Tier 2 beaches, an alert is issued if a sample is between 276 and 500 cfu/100 ml and a resample
is conducted. This alert converts to an advisory if the resample is more than 276 cfu/100 ml. An advisory is issued with-
out a resample at Tier 1 and 2 beaches if a single sample is greater than 500 cfu/100 ml. Alerts are not issued at Tier 3
beaches. Instead, the beaches are resampled if the levels are higher than 500 cfu/100 ml and if the second sample is above
that level, an advisory is issued.2

Alerts are announced in press releases and on the website but no advisory sign is posted at the beach. Signs are posted
when advisories are issued. The program’s project manager decides whether to post advisory signs during April and
October when colder temperatures result in fewer swimmers.2
Reopening Procedures: Tier 2 and 3 beaches are monitored weekly after an advisory is issued until levels fall below
276 cfu/100 ml and 500 cfu/100 ml, respectively. For a geometric mean advisory at a Tier 1 beach to be rescinded, the
beach must have two consecutive weekly samples below 35 cfu/100 ml and meet the geometric mean standard for the
last five samples. If a station has triplicate sampling, two out of three samples have to be below 104 cfu/100 ml for the
advisory to be lifted.2 NCDENR samples after storm events, sewage spills, dredge disposal, and floodwater pumping to
confirm safe bacteria levels before lifting preemptive advisories.1
Causes of Advisories: All advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels from un-
known sources of contamination.
2006 Coastal Beach Advisories

Ocean Pier Between 14th and 15th Place East and
Brunswick 6/1 6/2 Bacteria (?)
Beach Dr.
Carteret Mile Post 4 1/2, Oceanside of Pelican Dr. 5/24 5/25 Bacteria (?)
Carteret Newport River- Public Access Nw of Bridge 8/4 8/5 Bacteria (?)
Carteret Radio Island Public Beach Access 8/2 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Carteret Town Crk. 6/28 7/12 Bacteria (?)
Carteret Town Crk. 8/2 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Currituck Park on Woodhouse Dr. Grandy, Nc 8/11 8/16 Bacteria (?)
Currituck Swimming Area at End of Sr 1142 8/11 8/16 Bacteria (?)
Dare Colingtpon Harbour Swimming Beach 6/29 6/30 Bacteria (?)
Dare Jockey’s Ridge Soundside Access 5/11 5/24 Bacteria (?)
Dare Jockey’s Ridge Soundside Access 6/29 7/12 Bacteria (?)
Dare Southern Shores Private Soundside Access 5/18 6/1 Bacteria (?)
Banks Channel - Waynick Blvd. - Between Taylor and
New Hanover 8/24 9/14 Bacteria (?)
Bellamy S
Banks Channel - Waynick Blvd. Approx. 150 Yds N of
Iula St.
Iula St.
Iula St.
Banks Channel - Waynick Blvd. Between Snyder and
Seashore St
Seashore St
Seashore St


Seashore St
New Hanover Fort Fisher- Beach Adjacent to Ncwrc Ramp 6/15 6/16 Bacteria (?)
New Hanover Ocean Pier at K. Ave. 8/3 8/4 Bacteria (?)
Onslow New River at Day Marker #61 6/16 6/20 Bacteria (?)
Onslow New River at Day Marker #61 8/24 8/29 Bacteria (?)
Onslow New River, Hyw 24 Bridge, Jacksonville 5/11 5/17 Bacteria (?)
Onslow New River, Wilson Park 8/24 8/29 Bacteria (?)
Pamlico Public Beach S Side of Dawson Crk Bridge 6/15 6/22 Bacteria (?)
Pamlico Vandemere Creek 6/29 6/30 Bacteria (?)
Notes
1 J.D. Potts, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, personal communication, July 2007.
2 North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, North Carolina Beach Monitoring Project Quality Assurance Project Plan,
revised January 4, 2005.
3 North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, North Carolina Recreational Water Quality Program Sampling Data, accessed
at www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/shellfish/Water_Monitoring/RWQweb/data.htm, July 2007..

Ohio
Ohio has 21 public beaches lining 7.3 miles of Lake Erie shoreline.1 Ohio’s Bathing Beach Monitoring Program is admin
istered by the Ohio Department of Health. This department monitored 15 Lake Erie beaches as well as beaches at inland
state parks. In addition to beaches monitored by the state,
Lake Erie beaches are monitored by the Lake County For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent
General Health District, the Cuyahoga County Board of of samples exceeding the standard
Health, and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. All increased to 22 percent in 2006 from
of these entities monitored inland beachwater quality as well,
as did the Erie County General Health District. At least a few 19 percent in 2005.
beaches in all seven counties with Lake Erie shoreline were monitored in 2006. Monitored beaches represent nearly 40 per-
cent of the Lake Erie beaches in the state and 95 percent of the Lake Erie beach miles.1 The monitoring season ranges from
mid-May through August to mid-June through August, depending on the monitoring entity and the beaches involved.2
Both closures and advisories are issued at Lake Erie beaches in Ohio by local authorities based on recommendations
by the state. Under normal circumstances, beaches are not closed solely due to high bacteria levels.2 Lake County received
an unusual amount of rain over a short period of time in July and this resulted in the closure of the beach at Mentor
Headlands State Park for two weeks.2 Most of the Lake Erie closing and advisory days in the state occurred in late July
and early August.
Ohio received a $223,650 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $224,300 grant in 2007. The
BEACH Act grants fully fund Ohio’s Lake Erie beach monitoring program. Tourism in Ohio contributes about
$30.7 billion and generates 529,100 related jobs.
Standards
Indicator Organism: E. coli.
Standards: The state of Ohio revised its beachwater quality standard in 1996 to require E. coli to be used as the indicator
organism to test beachwater quality. The BEACH Act–required standards for freshwater are an enterococcus single-sam-
ple maximum of 61 cfu/100 ml and a five-sample, 30-day geometric mean of 33 cfu/100 ml, or an E. coli single-sample
maximum of 235 cfu/100 ml and a five-sample, 30-day geometric mean of 126 cfu/100 ml. The E. coli geometric mean
was used in 2005 to determine beach advisories. In 2006, Ohio began using the E. coli single-sample maximum for beach
closing and advisory decisions.
Any pollution spill, sewage overflow, or similar pollution problem occurring at or proximate to a bathing beach may
be cause to restrict public access. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health conducted a pilot study to evaluate a method
for forecasting E. coli concentrations. The system, called Nowcast, uses environmental factors including rainfall, turbid-
ity, and wave height to predict E. coli levels. In 2006, advisories at Huntington Beach were based on daily predicted E.
coli values. The beach was placed on advisory status if Nowcast predicted that the probability of E. coli concentrations
exceeding 235 cfu/100 ml was 27 percent or greater. Samples were also taken and it was shown that the Nowcast system
accurately predicted water quality conditions 80 percent of the time.2
Monitoring
Frequency: Ohio reported monitoring 48 Great Lakes beaches in 2006. Monitoring locations are based on the popularity
of beaches. Two Tier 1 beaches were monitored five times a week, 17 Tier 1 beaches were monitored four times a week,
six Tier 2 beaches were monitored between twice a month and once a week, five Tier 3 beaches were monitored twice a
month, and 18 beaches with no tier status were monitored once a week.
Practice: Samples are taken in water that is three feet deep, one foot below the surface, in an area of the beach generally used
for swimming.2 Eighteen to 24 hours go by before sampling results are known. Sampling occurs Monday through Friday.
OH.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Ohio’s daily
maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standard increased to 22 per-
cent in 2006 from 19 percent in 2005.
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Villa Angela State Park (44%), Euclid State
Park (42%), and Huntington_Beach in Cuyahoga County (32%); Camp Perry in Ottawa County (31%), Lakeshore
Park in Ashtabula County (27%); Mentor Headlands E. in Lake County (25%); Crane Creek (25%) and Maumee Bay
Sp Erie in Lucas County (24%); Lakeview Beach in Lorain County (20%); and Edgewater St. Pk. in Cuyahoga County
(20%).
Ten percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Erie County had
the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (21%) followed by Ottawa County (17%). The table below lists
the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006.
Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Ashtabula Lakeshore Park 1 4/wk 45 27%
Ashtabula Conneaut Twp Park 1 4/wk 45 18%
Ashtabula Walnut Beach 1 4/wk 45 18%
Ashtabula Geneva St. Pk. 1 4/wk 45 16%
Cuyahoga Noble Beach 3 1/wk 14 50%
Cuyahoga Villa Angela St. Pk. 1 Daily 72 44%
Cuyahoga Arcadia Beach 2 2/mo 14 43%
Cuyahoga Royal Acres Beach 3 2/mo 14 43%
Cuyahoga Euclid St. Pk. 1 4/wk 72 42%
Cuyahoga Clarkwood Beach 3 2/mo 14 36%
Cuyahoga Edgecliff Beach 3 2/mo 14 36%
Cuyahoga Utopia Beach 2 2/mo 14 36%
Cuyahoga Huntington_Beach 1 4/wk 73 32%
Cuyahoga Edgewater St. Pk. 1 Daily 71 20%
Cuyahoga Parklawn Beach 2 2/mo 14 14%
Cuyahoga Wagar Beach 2 2/mo 14 14%
Cuyahoga Bay Park Beach 3 2/mo 14 7%
Cuyahoga Moss_Point_Beach 3 2/mo 14 7%
Erie Edson Creek 1/wk 23 26%
Erie Sherod Creek 1/wk 23 17%
Erie Showse Park 1 2/wk 23 17%
Erie Vermilion West 1/wk 23 17%
Erie Old Womans Creek East 1/wk 22 14%
Erie Old Womans Creek West 1/wk 22 14%
Erie Cranberry Creek 1/wk 23 13%
Erie Hoffman Ditch 1/wk 23 13%
Erie Sugar Creek 1/wk 23 13%
Erie Bay View West 1/wk 24 13%


County Beach Tier
Erie Darby Creek 1/wk 23 9%
Erie Fichtel Creek 1/wk 23 9%
Erie Vermilion East 1/wk 22 5%
Erie Huron_River_East 1/wk 23 4%
Erie Sawmill Creek 1/wk 23 4%
Erie Bay View East 1/wk 24 4%
Erie Cedar_Point_Chausee 1/wk 24 0%
Erie Huron_River_West 1/wk 23 0%
Erie Kelleys_Island_State_Park 2 1/wk 10 0%
Erie Pickerel_Beach 1/wk 23 0%
Erie Sims Beach 3 1/wk 24 0%
Lake Mentor Headlands E. 1 4/wk 56 25%
Lake Fairport Harbor 1 4/wk 56 9%
Lorain Lakeview Beach 1 4/wk 45 20%
Lorain Century Beach 1 4/wk 45 16%
Lucas Crane Creek 1 4/wk 48 25%
Lucas Maumee Bay Sp Erie 1 4/wk 50 24%
Lucas Conneaut Twp Park 1 4/wk 50 8%
Not Applicable Sims Beach 3 1/wk 14 50%
Ottawa Camp Perry 1 4/wk 49 31%
Ottawa Port Clinton (Lakeview) 1 4/wk 50 16%
Ottawa Lakeside 1 4/wk 50 10%
Ottawa East Harbor St. Pk. 1 4/wk 50 8%
Ottawa Catawba Island 1 4/wk 49 4%
Ottawa South_Bass_Island_State_Park 2 1/wk 10 0%

Ohio issued 170 advisories and no closings at its Great Lakes beaches in 2006. Total advisory days more than tripled to
629 days in 2006 from 182 days in 2005. Closings and advisories at Ohio’s 19 Great Lakes Tier 1 beaches decreased from
236 days in 2004 to 149 days in 2005, then increased to 319 days in 2006. This overall increase in closing and advisory
days from 2004 to 2006 may be due in part to an increase in monitoring frequency of Tier 1 beaches over that time
period.
Advisory Issuance: Except for state parks and Lake Erie beaches funded through the BEACH Act, Ohio does not have a
requirement for monitoring beaches. Even where monitoring is conducted, the state has no legal authority to issue an ad-
visory or close a beach. Therefore, the state can only recommend that a municipality post a warning sign when the state
standard is exceeded. However, local agencies are complying with this recommendation, and advisories are issued if the
standard is exceeded.2 Advisories can be issued for a section of a beach as well as for a whole beach. The public is notified
of advisories and closings via a telephone hotline, website, signs, and newspaper articles.
Reopening Procedures: The monitoring frequency is at its maximum for many beaches, and the frequency does not in-
crease if a beach is placed under advisory or closed.1

Causes of Advisories: All advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels from storm-
water sources of contamination.
2006 Ohio Great Lakes Beach Advisories

Ashtabula Conneaut Twp Park 6/19 6/21 Bacteria Stormwater
Ashtabula Geneva St. Pk. 6/20 6/21 Bacteria Stormwater
Ashtabula Lakeshore Park 6/19 6/26 Bacteria Stormwater
Ashtabula Walnut Beach 6/19 6/21 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Arcadia Beach 6/1 6/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Bay Park Beach 6/19 6/26 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Clarkwood Beach 6/28 7/26 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Clarkwood Beach 8/30 8/31 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Edgecliff Beach 6/1 6/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Edgewater St. Pk. 7/4 7/6 Bacteria Stormwater


Cuyahoga Euclid St. Pk. 5/26 5/30 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Noble Beach 6/1 6/14 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Parklawn Beach 6/19 6/26 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Parklawn Beach 7/5 7/10 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Royal Acres Beach 6/1 6/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Royal Acres Beach 6/28 7/26 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Sims Beach 6/1 6/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Utopia Beach 6/1 6/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Villa Angela St. Pk. 5/24 5/31 Bacteria Stormwater


Cuyahoga Wagar Beach 6/19 6/26 Bacteria Stormwater
Cuyahoga Wagar Beach 7/5 7/10 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Bay View East 8/14 8/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Bay View West 6/19 6/26 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Cranberry Creek 7/5 7/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Darby Creek 6/5 6/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Darby Creek 7/5 7/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Edson Creek 6/5 6/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Fichtel Creek 7/5 7/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Fichtel Creek 7/13 7/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Hoffman Ditch 7/5 7/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Old Womans Creek East 7/5 7/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Old Womans Creek East 7/11 7/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Old Womans Creek West 7/5 7/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Old Womans Creek West 7/11 7/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Sawmill Creek 7/11 7/13 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Sherod Creek 6/5 6/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Showse Park 5/31 6/5 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Sugar Creek 6/19 6/26 Bacteria Stormwater


Erie Vermilion East 6/14 6/19 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Vermilion West 6/5 6/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Erie Vermilion West 6/19 6/28 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Fairport Harbor 7/5 7/6 Bacteria Stormwater
Lake Mentor Headlands E. 6/1 6/5 Bacteria Stormwater
Lorain Century Beach 6/13 6/14 Bacteria Stormwater
Lorain Lakeview Beach 6/12 6/13 Bacteria Stormwater
Lucas Crane Creek 6/26 6/27 Bacteria Stormwater
Ottawa Camp Perry 6/14 6/26 Bacteria Stormwater


Ottawa Catawba Island 7/27 7/31 Bacteria Stormwater
Ottawa Catawba Island 8/3 8/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Ottawa East Harbor St. Pk. 8/21 8/22 Bacteria Stormwater
Ottawa Lakeside 6/19 6/20 Bacteria Stormwater
Ottawa Port Clinton (Lakeview) 6/12 6/13 Bacteria Stormwater
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels.
Notes
1 Steve Binns, Ohio Department of Health, personal communication, July 2007.
2 Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Bathing Beach Monitoring Program 2006 Program/Grant Status Report, not dated.

Oregon
With funds received through the federal BEACH Act, Oregon established a beach monitoring and public notifica-
tion program for swimmer safety in 2003. Until then, Oregon did not monitor ocean and bay recreational beaches for
swimmer safety or for other water contact activities, and
there were no standards for swimmer safety and no beach
closing/advisory programs in effect. The Oregon Beach of samples exceeding the standards
Monitoring Program is a joint project between the Oregon increased to 3 percent in 2006 from
Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Oregon
1 percent in 2005..
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The DHS
administers BEACH Act grant funds and the DEQ conducts beach monitoring through an inter-agency agreement with
DHS. In Oregon, the public is guaranteed free and uninterrupted use of all beaches along the coastline. Therefore, beach
advisories are issued but not closures.
Oregon has 59 beaches lining 186 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline. More than 40 percent of these beaches were moni-
tored in 2006. Seven counties are on the coast: Clatsop, Coos, Curry, Lincoln, Tillamook, Douglas, and Lane. All but
Douglas and Lane counties have beaches that are monitored. Sampling occurs all year, with more monitoring occurring
during the peak season from May to September.
Most advisories in 2006 were in the late fall and winter. Nearly three-quarters of beach advisory days were for four
beaches (Agate, Cannon, Nye, and Sunset Canyon State Park beaches).1
Oregon received a $228,780 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $229,570 grant in 2007. The fed-
eral grants fully fund the Oregon beach monitoring and notification program. Coastal tourism contributes $7.9 billion
to the state’s economy, generating 88,900 jobs.
Standards
Standards: Oregon uses a single-sample maximum enterococcus standard of 158 cfu/100 ml for beach advisory deci-
sions at marine waters. Under Environmental Protection Agency 40 CFR Part 131, the state of Oregon must adopted
standards at least as stringent as EPA standards for coastal water quality. These standards require public health protec-
tion at or below a rate of 19 illnesses per 1000 swimmers for marine waters. Enterococcus water quality standards must
include a geometric mean of less than 35 cfu/100 ml and a single-sample density of 104 cfu/100 ml to 500 cfu/100 ml
depending on full-body water-contact use. A single-sample density of 158 cfu/100 ml matches the EPA’s “Moderate Full
Body Contact Recreation” category at 19 illnesses/1,000 swimmers, and is the DHS single-sample action level in use.
The Oregon Department of Human Services says the less strict standard is as protective of public health, given the water
temperature and frequency and duration of use by swimmers and others. The geometric mean is calculated for tracking
trends only, not for issuing advisories.1 The state does not have preemptive standards based on rain or other factors for
issuing beach advisories.
Monitoring
Frequency: In 2006, the DHS monitored 25 beaches covering 30 miles of coastline. During the summer season (May
to September), four beaches were monitored four times a month, 13 beaches were monitored twice a month, and three
beaches were monitored once a month. During the winter season (October to April), 13 beaches were monitored twice
a month and two beaches were monitored once a month. Five of the beaches that were monitored twice a month during
the winter season were not monitored during the summer season. They are Agate, Florence North Jetty, South, Barview
County Park, and Umpqua Beaches. All of the other beaches monitored during the winter season were also monitored
during the summer season.
OR.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

In Oregon, the sampling frequency and location varies from season to season. Beaches are referred to according to
sampling frequency rather than tiers. Oregon abandoned the three-tiered beach ranking system in favor of a periodic
review of field observations, bacteriological data, and qualitative risk assessment. This flexibility allows monitoring re-
sources to shift to waters with suspected pollutant sources, increasing bacteria levels, and/or increasing water contact use.
The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program samples the water at those beaches that have had historically higher bacteria
levels and ocean water recreational use. Sampling locations are re-evaluated every other year and prioritized based on use
levels and previous monitoring results. This review produces a ranking of highest priority sampling beaches to be sampled
for the following two years. Beaches with low bacteria data and use observations are essentially allowed to rotate off the
list to allow other beaches to be sampled. Oregon has resources to sample about 20 of its more than 50 beaches identified
as coastal recreation waters.1
Practice: Water samples are collected at ankle to knee depth in the middle of typical bathing areas and near known
or potential pollution sources.1 Sampling results are generally known 24 hours after the sample is delivered to a lab.
Sampling activities are conducted on weekdays.
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Oregon’s
daily maximum bacterial standards. Oregon did not provide a list of its Tier 1 beaches, so NRDC defined Oregon Tier 1
beaches as those monitored at least once a week. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standards
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Twin Rocks Beach in Tillamook County
(31%), Nye Beach in Lincoln County (20%), Sunset Bay State Park Beach in Coos County (20%), and Mill Beach
(14%), Harris Beach State Park (10%), and Humbug Mountain Beach in Curry County (9%).
Thirty-six percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Clatsop
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (67%), followed by Coos (50%), Tillamook (29%),
Lincoln (25%), and one beach each in Douglas and Lane counties. The table below lists the tier status, monitoring fre-
2006 Monitoring Frequency and ,Results by Beach

County Beach Tier
Clatsop Cannon Beach 1 1/wk 126 5%
Clatsop Seaside Beach 1 1/wk 84 0%
Clatsop Hug Point State Park Beach 1 1/wk 60 0%
Coos Sunset Bay State Park Beach 0 2/mo 112 20%
Coos Bastendorf Beach 0 2/mo 89 0%
Curry Mill Beach 0 1/mo 43 14%
Curry Harris Beach State Park 0 1/mo 68 10%
Curry Humbug Mountain Beach 0 1/mo 22 9%
Douglas Umpqua Beach 0 None 31 0%
Lane Florence North Jetty Beach 0 None 24 0%
Lincoln Nye Beach 0 2/mo 65 20%
Lincoln Beverly Beach 0 2/mo 53 8%
Lincoln D River Beach 0 2/mo 41 7%
Lincoln Agate Beach 0 None 24 4%


County Beach Tier
Lincoln Siletz Bay Beach 0 2/mo 32 3%
Lincoln Nelscott Beach 0 2/mo 54 2%
Lincoln South Beach 0 None 24 0%
Lincoln Otter Rock Beach 0 2/mo 36 0%
Tillamook Twin Rocks Beach 0 2/mo 13 31%
Tillamook Rockaway Beach 0 2/mo 33 6%
Tillamook Barview County Park Beach 0 None 25 4%
Tillamook Short Sand Beach 1 1/wk 165 3%
Tillamook Cape Kiwanda State Park Beach 0 2/mo 54 2%
Tillamook Neskowin Beach 0 2/mo 30 0%
Tillamook Oceanside Beach State Wayside 0 2/mo 30 0%
Advisories
Oregon issued 13 advisories in 2006. Total advisory days at Oregon’s coastal beaches decreased 44 percent to 66 days
in 2006 from 117 days in 2005. Oregon did not distinguish a set of Tier 1 beaches, so NRDC analyzed for a trend in
advisories from 2004 to 2006 based on the a set of beaches that was monitored at least once a week in 2006. Advisories
at these four beaches decreased from 39 days in 2004 to 10 days in 2005, then increased to 15 days in 2006. During the
time period over which this overall decrease in advisory days occurred, the overall monitoring frequency at these beaches
was steady.
Advisory Issuance: Public notification for beach advisories occurs if a single sample result exceeds Oregon’s action limit.
Resampling is acceptable in lieu of issuing public notification if there is reason to doubt the accuracy or certainty of the
first sample based on quality assurance/quality control measures described in the Quality Assurance Project Plan docu-
ment and Standard Operating Procedures.1 To date, there have not been exceedances attributed to sampling or labora-
tory error that required resampling prior to the issuance of an advisory.2 The public is notified of an advisory via email,
a website, a toll-free number, media releases, and signage.2 Advisories are issued for entire beaches rather than for sections
of a beach.1
Reopening Procedures: Advisories are not lifted until enterococcus concentrations meet applicable water quality stan-
dards. Following an advisory, additional samples are collected to lift the advisory sooner, rather than waiting until the
next routine sampling results are received. If possible, the additional samples are collected within 96 hours of the advi-
sory, after which routine sampling resumes. Resampling should occur at the sample station(s) that exceeded the water
quality standard, but may occur at all sampling stations at the particular beach. Because of limited resources, maintaining
routine sampling at designated sites generally takes precedence over resampling to lift an advisory.1
Causes of Advisories: All advisories in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed bacteria levels above standards from
2006 Oregon Coastal Beach Closings/Advisories

Clatsop Cannon Beach 1/11 1/25 Bacteria (?)
Clatsop Cannon Beach 6/14 6/15 Bacteria (?)


Coos Sunset Bay State Park Beach 2/9 3/2 Bacteria (?)
Coos Sunset Bay State Park Beach 4/13 4/27 Bacteria (?)
Curry Humbug Mountain Beach 9/1 9/1 Bacteria (?)
Curry Mill Beach 9/1 9/2 Bacteria (?)
Lincoln D River Beach 6/14 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Lincoln Nye Beach 6/28 6/29 Bacteria (?)
Lincoln Siletz Bay Beach 6/1 6/2 Bacteria (?)
Tillamook Rockaway Beach 6/14 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Tillamook Rockaway Beach 8/16 8/18 Bacteria (?)
Tillamook Twin Rocks Beach 9/13 9/15 Bacteria (?)
Tillamook Twin Rocks Beach 9/27 10/3 Bacteria (?)
Notes
1 Jennifer Ketterman, Department of Human Services, personal communication, May 2007.
2 Oregon Department of Human Services, Annual Performance Report for the Oregon Department of Human Services BEACH Monitoring Program
(Agreement #CU96023301)—Activity Period October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006, not dated.

Pennsylvania
The 40 miles of Lake Erie shoreline in Pennsylvania are all located in Erie County. Of this shoreline, approximately
seven miles of beach are in Presque Isle State Park, less than one mile is a permitted public bathing beach outside the
state park, and the remainder of the shoreline is composed of private, unpermitted beaches or other shoreline. In all,
there are 14 permitted Great Lakes beaches in the state, and
12 of these public beaches are monitored from Memorial For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent
Day to Labor Day. 1 of samples exceeding the standard
For the 2006 swim season, the Erie County Department increased to 11 percent in 2006 from
of Health administered the state’s BEACH Act grant.2
This agency was responsible for overseeing all monitor- 10 percent in 2005.
ing programs in the county, issuing beach permits, and enforcing state regulations. The Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources is responsible for monitoring beaches at Presque Isle State Park. Other permitted
beaches located on Lake Erie are monitored by the individual permit holders, which are usually local municipalities or
organizations. Results of all monitoring programs are reported to the Erie County Department of Health, which periodi-
cally collects samples at various beaches in the county to crosscheck monitoring results. Monitoring is not required at
unpermitted beaches.
Both beach advisories and closings were issued for Great Lakes beaches in Pennsylvania in 2006. More than half of the
closings and advisories occurred in the early half of July, and 40 percent of the closings and advisories for the season were
issued for Presque Isle State Park-Beach 1.
Pennsylvania received a $222,530 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $223,150 grant in 2007.
Standards
Standards: The Pennsylvania Public Swimming & Bathing Places State Code, which was last revised in 1984, contains
its code for bathing beaches. For closing and advisory determinations at Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes beaches, an E. coli
single-sample maximum standard of 235 cfu/100 ml is applied.1 This matches the BEACH Act–required standard for
single-sample maximums in freshwater. Pennsylvania does not use the BEACH Act–required standard of a five-sample,
30‑day geometric mean for E. coli of 126 cfu/100 ml.
In 2004, the Erie County Department of Health began developing a predictive model of recreational beachwater qual-
ity based on weather, known sewage discharges, storm events, and water currents. The department will use data collected
to see if a correlation exists between weather conditions and high bacterial counts. The model will allow beach managers
to close beaches or issue advisories based on real-time measurement of specific weather conditions prior to obtaining the
results of monitoring samples.3 Preemptive rain advisories were issued in 2006 based on rain levels.
Monitoring
Frequency: Pennsylvania monitored 86 percent (12) of its permitted Great Lakes beaches in 2006, all of which were
monitored twice a week.1 Two Great Lakes beaches are not monitored.
Pennsylvania’s daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standard
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Presque Isle State Park - Beach 1 (14%),
Presque Isle State Park - Beach 6 (10%), and Water Works Beach (10%).
The table on the following page lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard
for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.
PA.1 Natural Resources Defense Council


County Beach Tier
Erie Beach 1 1 2/wk 685 14%
Erie Beach 2 2/wk 140 12%
Erie Beach 7 (Water Works Beach) 1 2/wk 147 10%
Erie Beach 10 (Bundy Beach) 1 2/wk 138 9%
Erie Beach 9 (Pine Tree Beach) 1 2/wk 150 9%
Erie Beach 8 (Pettinato Beach) 1 2/wk 150 9%

Two rain advisories and 41 closures were issued at Lake Erie beaches in Pennsylvania in 2006. The number of beach clos-
ing and advisory days increased 36 percent to 53 days in 2006 from 39 days in 2005. Looking only at Pennsylvania’s 10
Tier 1 Great Lakes beaches, closing/advisory days increased from three in 2004 to 39 in 2005, then increased again to 52
in 2006. During the time period over which this steady increase in closing and advisory days occurred, the overall moni-
toring frequency at these beaches was steady.
Closing Issuance: In the event of an exceedance, officials close the beach or issue an advisory. Resampling to confirm an
exceedance before issuing a closure or advisory is not done. If the E. coli level in a regulatory sample is greater than or
equal to 235 cfu/100ml, but less than 1,000 cfu/100ml, the beach is posted with a swimming advisory. Swimming is per-
mitted and the public is informed that the E.coli level exceeds standards and what precautions to take should they choose
to enter the water. If the E. coli level is equal to or greater than 1,000 cfu/100 ml, the beach is posted with a swimming
restriction and swimming is not permitted.4 Notification is given to appropriate officials and the media and warnings are
posted on park entrance signs. Lifeguards prevent people from entering the water during a closure.
Reopening Procedures: If an advisory or a closure is posted, beaches are resampled for three consecutive days.4 Advisories
are lifted when resampling indicates a bacteria level below 235 cfu/100 ml.
Causes of Closings: Ninety-six percent (51) of Great Lakes beach closing and advisory days in Pennsylvania in 2006 were
due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacterial levels from unknown sources. The remaining four percent (2) were
preemptive rain advisories.
2006 Great Lakes Beach Closings and Advisories

Erie Barracks Beach 7/2 7/3 Bacteria (?)
Erie Barracks Beach 7/28 7/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Erie Beach 1 6/19 6/20 Bacteria (?)


Erie Beach 1 7/28 7/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Erie Beach 10 (Bundy Beach) 7/2 7/3 Bacteria (?)
Erie Beach 7 (Water Works Beach) 7/2 7/3 Bacteria (?)
Erie Beach 8 (Pettinato Beach) 6/4 6/5 Bacteria (?)
Erie Beach 9 (Pine Tree Beach) 7/2 7/3 Bacteria (?)
Erie Lighthouse Beach 8/20 8/21 Bacteria (?)
Erie Mill Road Beaches 7/2 7/3 Bacteria (?)
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Preempt-rain, preemptive due to heavy rainfall; (?), unknown.
Notes
1 United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA’s BEACH Report: Pennsylvania 2006 Swimming Season, June 2007.
3 Dennis C. Wilson, Pennsylvania Department of Health, personal communication, June 14, 2005.
4 Erie County Department of Health, Beach Sampling Information, accessed at http://www.ecdh.org/environmental/BeachSampleInfo.htm, July 2007..

Rhode Island
Rhode Island has 235 public coastal beaches along about 400 miles of Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay waters. The
Rhode Island Department of Health is responsible for beachwater monitoring and has the authority to close beaches or issue
advisories. The Department of Health also has the authority For Tier 1 beaches only, the
to suspend the license of a bathing beach if applicable water
quality standards have been violated. Beaches north of percent of samples exceeding the
Conimicut Point in Warwick and Nayatt Point in Barrington standard decreased to 14 percent in
are unlicensed because of water quality issues, and the public 2006 from 17 percent in 2005.
is advised to avoid water contact in those areas.1
The monitoring program in Rhode Island has a strong source-identification emphasis. Because of the monitoring
program, problems with stormdrains, sewer lines, and septic systems have been revealed and corrected or are in the
process of being corrected.2
All five counties in Rhode Island have public coastal beaches, and all have at least one monitored beach.1 All licensed
marine bathing beaches in Rhode Island (slightly less than a htird of all public coastal beaches) are monitored during
the swim season, which extends from approximately one week before Memorial Day to one week after Labor Day. In
addition to conducting coastal beachwater monitoring supported by federal BEACH Act grant monies, Rhode Island
requires freshwater facility managers to sample bathing waters adjacent to their facilities and to report the results to the
Rhode Island Department of Health.1
More than twice as much rain fell in 2006 as in 2005, leading to an increase in the number of beach closings in
2006. In addition to the weather, the Rhode Island Department of Health is refining its sampling strategies to target
sample collection when and where bacteria counts are most likely to be high, and this strategic sampling leads to in-
creased sample exceedances.1 No beach advisories were issued in 2006, only closings. Kent County had more coastal
beach closing days than other counties, with more than a third of the state’s beach closing days. Conimicut Point,
Atlantic Beach Club Beach, and Warren Town Beach had the highest number of closing days in the state.1 Most closing
days throughout the state occurred in June.
Rhode Island received a $212,640 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $212,900 grant in 2007.
The cost of the coastal monitoring program is fully funded by this federal grant. Tourism in Rhode Island contributes
about $4.7 billion to the state’s economy and generates 57,837 related jobs.
Standards
Standards: Rhode Island’s current bathing water standards are as follows: marine bathing waters must not exceed a
single-sample standard of 104 cfu/100 ml of Enterococcus and freshwaters must not exceed 61 cfu/100 ml of entero
coccus.1 .For “high risk” beaches (those with higher potential for adverse water quality or high bather loads), fecal coli-
form levels are obtained, but closures and advisories are determined by enterococcus results.1 Enterococcus levels have
been used since 2004 for issuing beach closings and advisories. Prior to that, fecal coliform standards applied.
If a known sewage discharge occurs in close proximity to a beach, the beach is closed immediately without waiting
for sampling results to confirm contamination. The Rhode Island Department of Health continues to collect data for
the development of a comprehensive preemptive closing model.1 In the meantime, Scarborough and Easton’s beaches are
closed when there is more than one inch of rainfall in a 24-hour period.3 There were no preemptive rainfall advisories
issued in 2006.
Monitoring
Frequency: Seventy coastal beaches covering 25 miles of coastline2 were monitored in 2006. All of the state’s 69 licensed
marine bathing beaches are monitored.1 Seven percent (16) of the state’s public coastal beaches were monitored at least
RI.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

once a week and 23 percent (54) were regularly monitored but less often than once a week (usually once or twice a
month). All 20 Tier 1 coastal beaches were monitored in 2006. Of these, one was monitored four times per week, seven
were monitored three times per week, three were monitored 10 times per month, three were monitored two times per
week, two were monitored once a week, three were monitored twice a month, and one was monitored six times a year.
All 41 Tier 2 beaches were also monitored. Eight were monitored twice a month and 33 were monitored once a month.
In addition to the Tier 1 and Tier 2 beaches, nine Tier 3 beaches were monitored twice a year. Seventy percent (165) of
the state’s public coastal beaches, all of which are designated as Tier 3, were not monitored.
Practice: Samples are collected in the morning, just below the surface of the water in water that is approximately three
feet deep. Results are available 24 hours after delivery to the lab. Sampling generally takes place Monday through Friday,
but if needed, can be done on weekends.
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Rhode
Island’s daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standard
decreased to 14 percent in 2006 from 17 percent in 2005. The decrease in exceedances is surprising since the state
received more than twice as much rain in 2006 as in 2005. Also, the state is refining its sampling strategies so that it is
more likely to sample when and where bacteria levels are high.
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Warren Town Beach in Bristol County (29%),
Plum Beach Club (25%) and Saunderstown Yacht Club in Washington County (23%), Third Beach in Newport County
(17%), Oakland Beach in Kent County (15%), Peabodys Beach in Newport County (14%), Willow Dell Beach Club
(14%) and Scarborough State Beach South in Washington County (13%), Goddard Memorial State Park in Kent County
(13%), Mackerel Cove Beach in Newport County (13%), and Matunuck Town Beach in Washington County (13%).
Fifty-nine percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Washington
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (67%) followed by Newport County (58%). The
table below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches re-
ported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Bristol Warren Town Beach 1 2/wk 42 29%
Kent Oakland Beach 1 3/wk 48 15%
Kent Goddard Memorial State Park 1 3/wk 53 13%
Newport Third Beach 1 3/wk 42 17%
Newport Peabodys Beach 2 2/mo 7 14%
Newport Mackerel Cove Beach 2 1/mo 8 13%
Newport Sandy Point Beach 2 2/mo 10 10%
Newport Sachuest Beach 2 2/mo 37 5%
Newport Goosewing Beach 2 1/mo 4 0%
Newport Gooseberry Beach 2 1/mo 5 0%
Newport Warrens Point Beach Club 2 1/mo 4 0%
Newport Hazards Beach 2 1/mo 5 0%
Newport South Shore Beach 2 1/mo 5 0%
Newport Grinells Beach 2 2/mo 8 0%
Newport Spouting Rock Beach Association 2 1/mo 4 0%
Washington Scarborough State Beach South 1 2/wk 112 13%


County Beach Tier
Washington Scarborough State Beach North 1 2/wk 141 11%
Washington Plum Beach Club 2 2/mo 8 25%
Washington Saunderstown Yacht Club 2 2/mo 13 23%
Washington Willow Dell Beach Club 2 1/mo 7 14%
Washington Matunuck Town Beach 2 1/mo 8 13%
Washington Narragansett Town Beach 1 6/yr 11 9%
Washington North Kingstown Town Beach 1 2/wk 39 5%
Washington Roy Carpenter’s Beach 2 1/mo 4 0%
Washington Westerly Town Beach-New 2 1/mo 2 0%
Washington Weekapaug Fire District 2 1/mo 3 0%
Washington Misquamicut State Beach 1 2/mo 5 0%
Washington Jims Trailer Park 2 1/mo 4 0%
Washington Misquamicut Club 2 1/mo 5 0%
Washington Sam’s Beach 2 1/mo 4 0%
Washington Misquamicut Fire District Beach 2 1/mo 5 0%
Washington Paddy’s Beach 2 1/mo 4 0%
Washington Seaside Beach Club 2 1/mo 3 0%
Washington Westerly Town Beach-Old 2 1/mo 2 0%
Washington Pleasant View Inn 2 1/mo 2 0%
Washington Sandy Shore Motel 2 1/mo 4 0%
Washington Salty Brine Beach 3 2/yr 3 0%
Washington Ocean House 3 2/yr 1 0%
Washington Surf Hotel 3 2/yr 2 0%

Rhode Island issued 78 coastal beach closures in 2006. Closing/advisory days lasting six consecutive weeks or fewer in-
creased by a factor of 4.5 to 256 days in 2006 from 57 days in 2005. Two Rhode Island marine beaches (Camp Narrow
River in Washington County and King Park in Newport County) were permanently closed to swimming in 2006. As
mentioned above, the increase in beach closures is due at least in part to the state receiving more than twice as much
rain in 2006 as in 2005. Also, the state is refining its sampling strategies so that it is more likely to sample when and
where bacteria levels are high. NRDC analyzed for a trend in closing and advisories from 2004 to 2006 based on a set
of beaches that was monitored at least once a week in 2006. Closings and advisories at these 28 beaches decreased from
71 days in 2004 to 57 days in 2005, then increased to 240 days in 2006. During the time period over which this overall
decrease in advisory days occurred, the overall monitoring frequency at these beaches was steady.
Closing/Advisory Issuance: Typically, if sampling results exceed the standard, a beach is closed. However, the Rhode
Island Department of Health considers several environmental factors before deciding whether to close or reopen a beach:
rainfall, historic monitoring results, known pollution events, results from adjacent monitoring stations, and beach survey
results. If environmental factors do not suggest fecal contamination, the beach may remain open while it is resampled.
The public is notified of closings and advisories via a hotline, a website, and press releases to television and radio sta-
tions. Public notification practices in Narragansett Bay include a color-coded flagging system: blue indicates safe waters
and red indicates a closing or advisory. Rhode Island plans to extend the flagging system to other beaches in the state.

Entire beaches are closed rather than sections. However, some beaches may occasionally advise swimmers not to use
certain portions, such as those areas close to streams after rainfall.3
Reopening Procedures: If a beach is closed or placed under advisory, sampling is conducted daily until the water quality
meets standards and the beach is reopened.
Causes of Closings/Advisories: All closing/advisory days in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria
levels. Of these, 95 percent (242) were from stormwater sources, 46 percent (117) were from wildlife, 43 percent (111)
were from combined sewer overflows and faulty sewage pumps, 31 percent (81), were from boats, and 5 percent (14)
were from unknown sources. Total percentages exceed 100 percent because multiple contamination sources were listed
for most closings and advisories.
2006 Rhode Island Coastal Beach Closings/Advisories

Bristol Barrington Town Beach 6/8 6/13 Bacteria (?)
Stormwater, Wildlife,
Bristol Bristol Town Beach 6/6 6/13 Bacteria
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Stormwater,
Bristol Camp St. Dorothy 7/27 8/2 Bacteria
Comb-sew-overflow
Bristol Warren Town Beach 6/6 6/13 Bacteria Stormwater, Boats
Stormwater, Boats,
Kent City Park 6/8 6/13 Bacteria
Wildlife
Stormwater, Boats,
Wildlife
Stormwater, Boats,
Wildlife
Stormwater, Boats,
Wildlife
Stormwater, Boats,
Wildlife
Stormwater, Boats,
Wildlife


Stormwater, Boats,
Wildlife
Stormwater, Boats,
Wildlife
Kent Conimicut Point 6/8 6/13 Bacteria
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Stormwater, Boats,
Kent Goddard Park 6/8 6/13 Bacteria
Wildlife
Stormwater, Boats,
Wildlife
Stormwater, Boats,
Wildlife
Stormwater, Boats,
Wildlife
Kent Oakland Beach 6/8 6/13 Bacteria Stormwater, Wildlife
Stormwater, Sew-pump,
Newport Atlantic Beach Club 6/7 6/11 Bacteria
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Newport Easton’s Beach 6/7 6/11 Bacteria
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow


Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Comb-sew-overflow
Newport Fort Adams 6/8 6/11 Bacteria Stormwater, Boats
Newport King Park 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other (?)
Newport Mackerel Cove 8/29 8/31 Bacteria Stormwater
Newport Third Beach 6/9 6/11 Bacteria Stormwater, Boats
Washington Bonnet Shores Beach 6/21 6/23 Bacteria Stormwater
Washington Camp Fuller 7/5 7/13 Bacteria Stormwater, Wildlife
Washington Camp Grosvenor 8/17 8/18 Bacteria Stormwater, Wildlife
Washington Camp Grosvenor 8/21 8/24 Bacteria Stormwater, Wildlife
Washington Camp Narrow River 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other (?)
Washington Matunuck Town Beach 7/11 7/13 Bacteria Stormwater
Washington North Kingstown Town Beach 8/29 8/30 Bacteria Stormwater, Boats
Washington Saunderstown Yacht Club 6/27 6/29 Bacteria Stormwater, Boats
Washington Scarborough State Beach North 6/7 6/11 Bacteria Stormwater
Washington Scarborough State Beach South 6/7 6/11 Bacteria Stormwater
Washington Willow Dell Beach Club 8/11 8/13 Bacteria Stormwater
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Comb-sew-overflow, combined sewage overflow; Sew-break, sewer
line blockage/break; Sew-discharge, sewage discharge; Sew-pump, sewage pump station failure; Sanitary-sew-over, sanitary sewer overflow; (?),
unknown.
Notes
1 Rhode Island Office of Food Protection/Environmental Health, Rhode Island Department of Health Beach Monitoring Program, 2006 Season
Report, March 2007.
3 Bonnie Blair, Rhode Island Department of Health, personal communication, July 2007.

South Carolina
In the mid-1990s, South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and communities along
the coast launched studies to determine if there was a need for a coastal monitoring program in South Carolina. The
studies showed that during and after rainstorms, stormwater discharges were responsible for levels of enterococcus bac
teria that frequently exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommendations in some locations, and the
state established a monitoring program in the late 1990s, which DHEC administers. Some monitoring is conducted by
DHEC, while other monitoring is conducted by counties
and municipalities. The state’s program coordinator for the
coastal monitoring program was able to provide informa- of samples exceeding the standard
tion about monitoring practices and standards only for decreased to 12 percent in 2006 from
coastal beaches that were monitored by DHEC.1 22 percent in 2005.
There are 63 beaches in South Carolina lining 180 miles
of Atlantic coastline (102 miles on the mainland coast and 78 miles on the barrier islands). According to the DHEC, the
state monitors all 102 miles of major beaches on the mainland coast at 125 sampling sites. It does not monitor another
78 miles of beaches on barrier islands. Beaches in five of the six coastal counties are monitored: Beaufort, Charleston,
Colleton, Georgetown, and Horry. No beaches in Jasper County are monitored because it has a relatively small coastal
waterfront. Dorchester and Berkeley counties have public coastal beaches on estuarine waters, none of which are moni-
tored (even though these counties do not border the coast). More than a third of monitored beaches are monitored from
May 15 to October 15. The City of Myrtle Beach monitors water at Myrtle Beach the remaining part of the year.1
The Department of Health and Environmental Control issues advisories only, not closings. The 2006 swim season
saw more advisories (both preemptive and because of water quality) than usual because of unusually high rainfall levels.
More exceedances were found as the swim season wore on. Myrtle Beach had the most water quality advisories, and three
beaches (Myrtle, Huntington Beach State Park, and Surfside Beaches) together accounted for more than 70 percent of
the state’s water quality advisories.1
South Carolina received a $296,660 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $297,940 grant in 2007.
Federal grants fully fund South Carolina’s beach monitoring and notification program. Coastal tourism contributes
$16 billion to the state’s economy, generating 208,083 jobs.

Standards: South Carolina adopted BEACH Act–required standards in 2004: for ocean and bay waters, an enterococcus
single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml and a geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml are used.1 DHEC uses the entero-
coccus single-sample maximum standards for beach advisory decisions. Advisories based on the geometric mean are
issued only for Horry County beaches based on weekly monitoring and are issued at the discretion of the district beach
program manager and the program coordinator.
Preemptive rainfall advisories are issued at certain beaches that have a history of high bacteria levels from stormwater.
Further preemptive rainfall standards are under development. In 2000, DHEC began developing a rainfall model to
predict beachwater contamination. Rainfall data continue to be collected from weather sites at three-mile intervals in
Horry and Georgetown counties. At the end of the 2007 sampling season, South Carolina hopes to be ready to use a rain
model based on five years of BEACH Act grant data that will predict the need for advisories in Horry and Georgetown
counties.2
Monitoring
Frequency: In South Carolina, beaches were prioritized for inclusion in the monitoring program based on level of use
and water quality history. Twenty-three of South Carolina’s 63 beaches (37%), representing all of the Tier 1 and Tier 2
SC.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

beaches, were monitored during the 2006 swim season. Eleven percent (7) were assigned high priority and were moni-
tored weekly and 25 percent (16) were assigned medium priority and were monitored every other week. None of South
Carolina’s Tier 3 beaches, which are accessible only by boat and are not heavily used, was monitored. Monitoring staff
visited most of the Tier 3 beaches in the summer of 2006 to determine if they should be moved to Tier 2 status. In addi-
tion, South Carolina is working to get areas like Charleston Harbor removed from all beaches lists.1
Practice: Samples are taken in a falling tide at a depth of 20 to 40 inches, 12 inches below the surface. Samples are taken
at low tide if possible. Samples are delivered to the lab within six hours of sampling, and results are available in 24 hours.
The day of the week that samples are taken varies depending on weather and scheduling.1
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded South
Carolina’s daily maximum bacterial standard. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of sample exceeding the standard
decreased to 12 percent in 2006 from 22 percent in 2005.
In 2006, the 10 Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were in Horry County: Myrtle Beach City of-
Withers Swash (44%), South Carolina State Park and Campground-Pirateland-Lakewood Campground (38%), Myrtle
Beach City of-Midway Swash (31%), Myrtle Beach City of-24th Ave. N (26%), Horry County Beach Arcadia Beach-
Singleton Swash Arcadia (25%), Briarcliffe Acres Town of-White Point Swash (22%), Surfside Beach Town of-Swash @
5th Ave. N (18%), Myrtle Beach City of-77th Ave. N (18%), Myrtle Beach City of-Canes Patch Swash (18%), Surfside
Beach Town of-3rd Ave. S (16%)
Seventy percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. One hundred
percent of beaches in Georgetown and Charleston Counties did not exceed the standard, followed by Colleton (94%),
Beaufort (93%), and Horry (19%). The table below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples
exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in decending order
by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Beaufort Hilton Head Island- 2/mo 5 20%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-The Moorings 2/mo 5 20%
Beaufort Fripp Island-Access # 2 Marlin Dr. 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Fripp Island-Access 25 on Tarpon Blvd. 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Fripp Island-Fripp Villas 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Fripp Island-Red Drum Rd. 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Fripp Island-Seahorse Rd. 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Harbor Island-Between Lots 118 & 120 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Harbor Island-Between Lots 54 & 56 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Harbor Island-N. Harbor Dr. 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-Atlantic Pointe 2/mo 4 0%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-Beachside Tennis Villas 2/mo 4 0%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-Burks Beach 2/mo 4 0%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-Elderberry Lane 2/mo 4 0%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-Folly Field Rd. 2/mo 4 0%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-Mariott-Alder Lane 2/mo 4 0%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-Ocean Woods 2/mo 4 0%


County Beach Tier
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-Port Royal Plantation 2/mo 4 0%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-Sea Crest Motel 2/mo 4 0%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-Sea Pines Beach Club 2/mo 4 0%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-The Hilton 2/mo 4 0%
Beaufort Hilton Head Island-Tower Beach 2/mo 4 0%
Beaufort Hunting Island-Between Camps 47 & 49 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Hunting Island-Between Camps 73 & 75 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Hunting Island-Cabin 9 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Hunting Island-Lighthouse 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Hunting Island-North Beach Restroom 2/mo 5 0%
Beaufort Hunting Island-South Beach Concession Area 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Isle of Palms-10 Ave. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Folly Beach-11th Ave. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Folly Beach-1561 E. Ashley St. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Folly Beach-1731 E. Ashley St. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Folly Beach-3rd Ave. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Folly Beach-5th Ave. E 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Folly Beach-8th Ave. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Folly Beach-Center St 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Folly Beach-Folly Park 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Isle of Palms-21st Ave. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Isle of Palms-34th Ave. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Isle of Palms-53rd Ave. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Isle of Palms-Dunes Crest 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Isle of Palms-Iop County Park 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Isle of Palms-Port O’ Call 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Kiawah Island-Duneside 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Kiawah Island-Ocean Marsh Rd. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Kiawah Island-Seaforest Dr. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Kiawah Island-Shipwatch 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Kiawah Island-Surfsong 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Seabrook Island-Oyster Catcher Ct. 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Seabrook Island-St. Christopher Camp 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Sullivans Island-Bayonne St.-Station 26 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Sullivans Island-Flag St.-Station 18 1/2 2/mo 5 0%
Charleston Sullivans Island-Marshall Blvd-Station 30 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Catherine 2/mo 6 17%
Colleton Edisto Island-Dorothy 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Fenwick 2/mo 5 0%


County Beach Tier
Colleton Edisto Island-Mary 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Nancy 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Portia 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Atlantic St. 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Bay Point 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Cheehaw St. 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Ebb Tide St. 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Edings St. 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Edingsville (Jeremy Cay) 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Edisto St. 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Jeremy Inlet 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Matilda St. 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Mikell St. 2/mo 5 0%
Colleton Edisto Island-Pavillion Restaurant 2/mo 5 0%
Georgetown County Beach Debordieu Beach-Lafayette
Georgetown 2/mo 11 0%
/ Ocean Green Blvd.
Georgetown County Beach Debordieu Beach-Luvan
Way
Georgetown County Beach Garden City Beach-Garden
City Point
Georgetown County Beach Huntington Beach State
Park-North Access, Huntington Beach State Park
Georgetown County Beach Huntington Beach State
Park-Visitors Center-Hb Sp
Georgetown County Beach Litchfield Beach-1st Left
Past Gate
Georgetown County Beach Litchfield Beach-Litchfield
Inn
Georgetown County Beach Litchfield Beach-Songbird
Lane
Georgetown Pawleys Island Town of-Pawley’s Island, South Parking 2/mo 11 0%
Pawleys Island Town of-Public Access 2nd / Atlantic
Beach
Pawleys Island Town of-Public Access Springs / Hazard
Ave.
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Withers Swash 1 1/wk 45 44%
South Carolina State Park and Campground-Pirateland-
Horry 1 1/wk 40 38%
Lakewood Campground
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Midway Swash 1 1/wk 39 31%
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-24th Ave. N 1 1/wk 35 26%
Horry County Beach Arcadia Beach-Singleton Swash
Horry 1 1/wk 36 25%
Arcadia
Horry Briarcliffe Acres Town of-White Point Swash 1 1/wk 37 22%
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-Swash @ 5th Ave. N 1 1/wk 33 18%


County Beach Tier
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Canes Patch Swash 1 1/wk 34 18%
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-3rd Ave. S 1 1/wk 32 16%
South Carolina State Park and Campground-Ocean
Horry 1 1/wk 34 15%
Lakes Campground S
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-16th Ave. N 1 1/wk 33 12%
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-13th Ave. S 1 1/wk 30 10%
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-11th Ave. N Dogwood Swash 1 1/wk 31 10%
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-23rd Ave. S 1 1/wk 32 9%
Horry 1 1/wk 32 9%
Lakes Campground N
Horry Briarcliffe Acres Town of-Briarcliff Cabana 1 1/wk 33 9%
South Carolina State Park and Campground-Myrtle
Horry 1 1/wk 29 7%
Beach State Park
Horry County Beach Arcadia Beach-2 Miles N of
Horry 1 1/wk 30 7%
Wyndham Hotel
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-8th Ave. S 1 1/wk 30 7%
Horry Horry County Beach Springmaid Beach-Nash Drive 1 1/wk 31 6%
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Deep Head Swash 1 1/wk 31 6%
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-3rd Ave. N 1 1/wk 31 6%
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-17th Ave. S 1 1/wk 32 6%
Horry Horry County Beach Garden City Beach-Azalea Ave. 2/mo 25 4%
Horry Horry County Beach Garden City Beach-Hawes Ave 2/mo 25 4%
Horry County Beach Arcadia Beach-Wyndham Hotel
Horry 1 1/wk 31 3%
Arcadia
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-3rd Ave. N 1 1/wk 31 3%
Horry County Beach Arcadia Beach-Lands End Resort-
Horry 1 1/wk 30 0%
Arcadia
Horry County Beach Arcadia Beach-Sands Ocean Club
Horry 1 1/wk 30 0%
Arcadia
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-16th Ave. N 1 1/wk 31 0%
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-33rd Ave. S 1 1/wk 32 0%

Advisories
A total of 333 advisories were issued for beaches in South Carolina in 2006. Advisory days increased 16 percent at South
Carolina coastal beaches to 684 in 2006 from 592 in 2005. Advisory days at South Carolina’s seven Tier 1 beaches
increased from 381 days in 2004 to 592 days in 2005, then increased again to 684 days in 2006. The monitoring fre-
quency at Tier 1 beaches did not increase during the time period over which this sharp increase in advisory days was seen.
The increase in advisory days may be due at least in part to unusually high amounts of rainfall in 2005 and 2006.
Advisory Issuance: DHEC issues an advisory immediately when the enterococcus bacteria level reaches 500 cfu/100 ml
and above. If the bacteria level is above 104 cfu/100 ml but below 500 cfu/100 ml, an additional sample is collected. If
the second sample is also above 104 cfu/100 ml, then the department issues an advisory. Preemptive rainfall advisories
are sometimes issued at swashes or pipe outfalls during a rain event as well. When an advisory is issued, the DHEC or
the municipality posts signs (generally within four hours), provides web announcements, and notifies the newspapers.
Advisories are sometimes issued for sections of a beach, rather than the whole beach.
Reopening Procedures: Beaches where water quality has fallen below standards or beaches that have been under a rainfall
advisory are sampled daily and reopened when the standards are met.
Causes of Advisories: Fifty-eight percent (395) of advisory days in 2006 were preemptive rainfall advisories. The remain-
ing advisories were due to monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels. Of the advisories issued due to elevated bacteria
levels, 97 percent (281) were attributed to stormwater, with the remaining three percent (8) due to unknown causes.
2006 South Carolina Coastal Beach Advisories

Horry Myrtle Beach City of-64th Ave. N 8/14 8/15 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-64th Ave. N 9/2 9/3 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Canes Patch Swash 5/27 5/29 Prempt-rain Other
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Canes Patch Swash 6/3 6/5 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Canes Patch Swash 7/7 7/9 Bacteria Stormwater


Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Deep Head Swash 5/22 5/23 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Deep Head Swash 8/14 8/15 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Midway Swash 5/15 5/18 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Midway Swash 5/21 5/22 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Midway Swash 5/27 5/30 Prempt-rain Other
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Ocean Lakes Campground S 6/9 6/10 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Withers Swash 5/15 5/19 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry Myrtle Beach City of-Withers Swash 5/21 5/22 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-16th Ave. N 6/13 6/17 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-16th Ave. N 8/23 8/24 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-16th Ave. N 9/2 9/3 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-17th Ave. S 9/2 9/3 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-33rd Ave. S 9/2 9/4 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-3rd Ave. N 6/13 6/17 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-3rd Ave. N 7/25 7/27 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-3rd Ave. N 8/23 8/24 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-3rd Ave. N 9/2 9/3 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-47th Ave. S 5/27 5/29 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry North Myrtle Beach City of-White Point Swash 9/2 9/7 Prempt-rain (?)
South Carolina State Park and Campground-Lands
Horry 9/2 9/3 Prempt-rain Stormwater
End Resort-Arcadia
South Carolina State Park and Campground-Midway
Swash
South Carolina State Park and Campground-Myrtle
Horry 9/2 9/3 Bacteria Stormwater
Beach State Park
South Carolina State Park and Campground-Nash
Drive
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N


Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground N
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
Lakes Campground S
South Carolina State Park and Campground-


South Carolina State Park and Campground-White
Point Swash
South Carolina State Park and Campground-White
Point Swash
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-11th Ave. N Dogwood Swash 5/15 5/17 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-11th Ave. N Dogwood Swash 9/2 9/4 Bacteria Stormwater


Horry Surfside Beach Town of-13th Ave. S 5/15 5/17 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-13th Ave. S 5/27 5/31 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-16th Ave. N 5/15 5/17 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-16th Ave. N 6/7 6/8 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-3rd Ave. N 6/3 6/5 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-3rd Ave. N 9/2 9/4 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-3rd Ave. N 10/11 10/12 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-3rd Ave. S 5/15 5/17 Prempt-rain Stormwater


Horry Surfside Beach Town of-3rd Ave. S 7/24 7/26 Bacteria Stormwater
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-Swash @ 5th Ave. N 5/15 5/17 Prempt-rain Stormwater
Horry Surfside Beach Town of-Swash @ 5th Ave. N 5/27 5/31 Bacteria Stormwater
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Preempt-rain, preemptive due to heavy rainfall; (?), unknown.
Notes
1 Shannon Berry, Beach Monitoring Program Coordinator, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, personal communica
tion, May 2007.
2 South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, BEACH Grant Semi-Annual Update, November 2006.

Texas
Virtually the entire Texas coast is bordered by barrier islands, which separate the Gulf of Mexico from the bays. The
mainland has more than 1,400 miles of coastline, but most of it is privately owned or is comprised of wetlands. Of the
barrier islands, which have almost 400 miles of Gulf shore-
line and more than 650 miles of shoreline on their back For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent
side, two are privately owned and have inaccessible beaches. of samples exceeding the standard
They are San Jose Island and West Matagorda peninsula. increased to 8 percent in 2006 from
Padre Island National Seashore is accessible to the public
but is not subject to the BEACH Act, and the National 6 percent in 2005.
Wildlife Refuge is not accessible to the public. Most of the back side of the barrier islands is wetlands with little or no
opportunity for water contact recreation. In all, 56 miles of mainland coast, 235 miles of barrier island Gulf coast, and
33 miles of back side barrier island coast are subject to monitoring under the BEACH Act.1 There are 166 public coastal
beaches lining this 324 miles of coastline.
The Texas General Land Office, in conjunction with various contracted entities, including local county health depart-
ments, universities, municipalities, and private laboratories, conducts the Texas Beach Watch Program. Approximately
40 percent of the public beaches in the state are monitored year-round. Nine counties had monitored beaches in 2006:
Aransas, Brazoria, Cameron, Jefferson, Galveston, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, and San Patricio. Another five counties
with at least one public water contact recreation coastal beach had no monitored beaches: Calhoun, Chambers, Harris,
Refugio, and Willacy. Orange County, Kenedy County, and Victoria County are on the coast but have no publicly
accessible beaches and/or no water contact recreation beaches.
The state does not have the authority to close beaches. Discretion to close a beach lies with local officials and health
departments.1 There were no closures issued in 2006.
Texas received a $382,890 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $385,180 grant in 2007. The federal
grants fully fund Texas’ beach monitoring and notification program. Tourism in Texas contributes about $49.2 billion to
the state’s economy and generates 514,050 related jobs.
Standards
Standards: Texas has adopted BEACH Act–required standards for marine waters: an enterococcus single-sample maxi-
mum of 104 cfu/100ml.
Monitoring
Frequency: Texas monitored 65 beaches weekly from May to September and every other week from October to April
in 2006.1 Some beaches were sampled weekly during the spring break season as well.2 Monitored beaches represent
153 miles of coastline.1 Beach segments that are used most frequently by the public and where health risks are the great-
est are given priority for monitoring.3 All Tier 1 beaches and all but one Tier 2 beach were monitored in 2006. Two Tier
3 beaches were monitored as well.
Practice: The Texas Beach Watch Program collects samples between sunrise and noon. Samples are generally collected
about one foot below the surface in water that is knee deep (approximately two feet deep). If the majority of recreational
activity occurs at a depth significantly different than two feet, then samples can be collected at the location of greatest
swimmer activity. Also, if the two-foot sampling depth occurs more than 50 meters from shore, samples can be collected
50 meters from shore or at the location of greatest swimmer activity.1 Sample results are usually available 24 hours after
the lab receives the sample. Routine sampling usually takes place on Tuesdays, with Mondays and Wednesdays as alter-
nate sampling days.
TX.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Texas’ daily
maximum bacterial standards. Texas did not provide a list of its Tier 1 beaches, so NRDC defined Texas Tier 1 beaches as
those monitored at least once a week. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standard increased to
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Ropes Park (48%) and Cole Park in Nueces
County (315); Texas City Dike in Galveston County (31%); Poenisch Park in Nueces County (24%); and Spanish
Grant/Bermuda Beach (22%), Indian Beach (22%), and 25th St. in Galveston County (21%).
Seventeen percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Cameron
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (67%), followed by Jefferson (50%), Kleberg (50%),
Matagorsa (33%), and Nueces (6%). The table below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples
exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by county and ranked in descending order
by percent exceedance.
2006 Monitoring Results by Beach

County Beach Tier
Aransas Rockport Beach Park 1 1/wk 96 15%
Brazoria Bryan Beach 1 1/wk 38 5%
Brazoria Follets Island 1 1/wk 185 3%
Brazoria Surfside 1 1/wk 293 2%
Brazoria Quintana 1 1/wk 73 1%
Cameron Boca Chica State Park 1 1/wk 179 2%
Cameron Access Point #6 1 1/wk 63 2%
Cameron Town of South Padre Island 1 1/wk 279 0%
Cameron Andy Bowie Park 1 1/wk 63 0%
Cameron Atwood Park 1 1/wk 62 0%
Cameron Isla Blanca Park 1 1/wk 62 0%
Cameron Park Road 100 Bay Access #2 1 1/wk 31 0%
Galveston Texas City Dike 1 1/wk 26 31%
Galveston Spanish Grant/Bermuda Beach 1 1/wk 59 22%
Galveston Indian Beach 1 1/wk 46 22%
Galveston 25th St. 1 1/wk 53 21%
Galveston 61st St. 1 1/wk 46 20%
Galveston 45th St. 1 1/wk 84 19%
Galveston Appfel Park 1 1/wk 44 18%
Galveston Stewart Beach 1 1/wk 58 17%
Galveston Jamaica Beach 1 1/wk 44 16%
Galveston Galveston Island State Park Backside 1 1/wk 38 16%
Galveston Galveston Island State Park 1 1/wk 47 15%
Galveston Pirates Beach 1 1/wk 55 15%
Galveston Sea Isle 1 1/wk 42 14%
Galveston Dellanera Park 1 1/wk 38 13%


County Beach Tier
Galveston San Luis Pass 1 1/wk 39 13%
Galveston Gulf Shores 1 1/wk 47 11%
Galveston Rettilon Road 1 1/wk 39 10%
Galveston Rollover Pass East 1 1/wk 34 6%
Galveston O’Neil Rd. 1 1/wk 36 6%
Galveston West End 1 1/wk 39 5%
Galveston Rollover Pass West 1 1/wk 32 3%
Galveston Seadrift 1 1/wk 34 3%
Galveston Clara St. 1 1/wk 49 2%
Jefferson McFaddin NWR 1 1/wk 206 3%
Jefferson Sea Rim State Park 1 1/wk 14 0%
Kleberg Kaufer-Hubert #1 0 None 5 20%
Kleberg Riviera Beach Pier 0 None 5 0%
Matagorda Palacios Pavilion 1 1/wk 75 7%
Matagorda Sargent Beach 1 1/wk 112 4%
Matagorda Jetty Park 1 1/wk 146 0%
Nueces Ropes Park 1 1/wk 69 48%
Nueces Cole Park 1 1/wk 121 31%
Nueces Poenisch Park 1 1/wk 45 24%
Nueces JFK Causeway - SW 1 1/wk 40 15%
Nueces Laguna Shores 1 1/wk 40 15%
Nueces McGee Beach 1 1/wk 46 13%
Nueces Corpus Christi Marina 1 1/wk 90 11%
Nueces Port Aransas - South 1 1/wk 71 10%
Nueces Packery Channel Park 1 1/wk 37 8%
Nueces University Beach 1 1/wk 37 8%
Nueces Port Aransas Park 1 1/wk 78 8%
Nueces Padre Bali Park 1 1/wk 156 7%
Nueces Corpus Christi Beach - Main 1 1/wk 93 6%
Nueces Mustang Island 1 1/wk 38 5%
Nueces JP Luby Park 1 1/wk 82 5%
Nueces Mustang Island State Park 1 1/wk 128 5%
Nueces Lighthouse Lake 1 1/wk 4 0%
San Patricio Nueces Bay Causeway #4 0 None 5 20%

Beach advisories were issued 335 times in Texas in 2006. No closures were reported. Texas Gulf Coast beach closing/
advisory days increased 13 percent to 473 in 2006 from 420 in 2005. Texas did not provide a list of Tier 1 beaches, so
NRDC analyzed for a trend in closing and advisories from 2004 to 2006 based on the a set of beaches that was moni-

tored at least once a week in 2006. Closings and advisories at these 62 beaches decreased from 569 days in 2004 to
304 days in 2005, then increased to 470 days in 2006. This overall decrease in closing and advisory days from 2004 to
2006 is in spite of a small increase in the monitoring frequency of these beaches over that time period.
Closing/Advisory Issuance: Local officials are notified and a beach is recommended for an advisory if enterococcus levels
in a single sample are higher than 104 cfu/100 ml. Local governments decide whether to issue an advisory, but most local
governments have agreed to issue an advisory and post signs if a sample exceeds the standard.3 Recommended advisories
are posted on the Texas Beach Watch website regardless of what action is taken by local officials. In addition, the Texas
Beach Watch website marks beaches where single-sample levels of enterococcus are between 35 cfu/100 ml and 104
cfu/100 ml as having a medium advisory level. Advisories are routinely issued for sections of a beach rather than a whole
beach.1
Reopening Procedures: Samples are taken daily until bacteria levels fall below the standard.
Causes of Closings/Advisories: All advisories issued in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels.
Fifty-nine percent (279) of the elevated bacteria levels were due to unknown sources, 41 percent (193) were from storm-
water, and less than one percent (1) was from wildlife.
2006 Texas Coastal Beach Closings/Advisories

Aransas Rockport Beach Park 5/8 5/9 Bacteria (?)
Aransas Rockport Beach Park 7/3 7/4 Bacteria Stormwater
Brazoria Bryan Beach 6/12 6/13 Bacteria (?)
Brazoria Bryan Beach 9/11 9/12 Bacteria (?)
Brazoria Follets Island 9/18 9/21 Bacteria (?)
Brazoria Follets Island 3/20 3/22 Bacteria (?)
Brazoria Quintana 6/19 6/20 Bacteria (?)
Brazoria Surfside 9/18 9/21 Bacteria (?)


Cameron Access Point #6 7/26 7/27 Bacteria Stormwater
Cameron Boca Chica State Park 5/1 5/3 Bacteria (?)
Cameron Boca Chica State Park 6/26 6/28 Bacteria (?)
Cameron Boca Chica State Park 5/30 6/1 Bacteria Stormwater
Cameron Town Of South Padre Island 7/25 7/26 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston 25th St. 6/8 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston 25th St. 7/6 7/7 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston 45th St. 6/6 6/7 Bacteria Wildlife
Galveston 61st St. 6/8 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston 61st St. 6/20 6/21 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Appfel Park 6/8 6/12 Bacteria (?)


Galveston Appfel Park 7/11 7/12 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Clara St. 6/7 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Clara St. 6/21 6/22 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Dellanera Park 7/10 7/12 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Galveston Island State Park 6/5 6/6 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Galveston Island State Park 7/10 7/12 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Galveston Island State Park Backside 6/5 6/6 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Galveston Island State Park Backside 6/6 6/7 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Galveston Island State Park Backside 7/10 7/12 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Gulf Shores 6/7 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Gulf Shores 6/21 6/22 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Indian Beach 6/5 6/6 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Indian Beach 7/10 7/12 Bacteria Stormwater


Galveston Jamaica Beach 5/1 5/2 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Jamaica Beach 7/10 7/12 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston O’neil Rd. 6/7 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston O’neil Rd. 7/26 7/27 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Pirates Beach 5/1 5/2 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Pirates Beach 7/10 7/12 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Rettilon Road 6/7 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Rettilon Road 7/26 7/27 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Rollover Pass East 6/7 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Rollover Pass West 6/7 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston San Luis Pass 6/5 6/6 Bacteria (?)
Galveston San Luis Pass 6/6 6/7 Bacteria (?)
Galveston San Luis Pass 7/10 7/12 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Sea Isle 6/5 6/6 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Sea Isle 7/10 7/12 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Seadrift 6/7 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Spanish Grant/Bermuda Beach 5/1 5/2 Bacteria (?)


Galveston Spanish Grant/Bermuda Beach 7/10 7/12 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Stewart Beach 6/8 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston Stewart Beach 7/11 7/12 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston Texas City Dike 5/9 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston West End 6/7 6/12 Bacteria (?)
Galveston West End 6/21 6/22 Bacteria Stormwater
Galveston West End 7/26 7/27 Bacteria Stormwater
Jefferson Mcfaddin Nwr 9/12 9/14 Bacteria (?)
Jefferson Mcfaddin Nwr 7/25 7/27 Bacteria Stormwater
Kleberg Kaufer-Hubert #1 12/21 12/22 Bacteria (?)
Kleberg Kaufer-Hubert #2 12/21 12/22 Bacteria (?)
Matagorda Palacios Pavilion 10/24 11/7 Bacteria (?)


Matagorda Sargent Beach 6/6 6/8 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Cole Park 7/11 7/12 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Cole Park 5/16 5/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Corpus Christi Beach - Main 7/26 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Corpus Christi Beach - Main 7/4 7/5 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Corpus Christi Beach - Main 7/25 7/26 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Corpus Christi Marina 8/8 8/9 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Corpus Christi Marina 11/28 11/29 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Corpus Christi Marina 6/27 6/28 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Jfk Causeway - Sw 4/5 4/6 Bacteria (?)


Nueces Jfk Causeway - Sw 9/13 9/14 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Jp Luby Park 6/14 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Jp Luby Park 6/29 7/1 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Laguna Shores 2/22 2/23 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Laguna Shores 9/13 9/14 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Mcgee Beach 6/6 6/7 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Mcgee Beach 7/4 7/5 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Mustang Island 7/3 7/4 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Mustang Island 10/16 10/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Mustang Island State Park 3/20 3/21 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Mustang Island State Park 10/16 10/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Packery Channel Park 8/16 8/17 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Packery Channel Park 6/28 6/29 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Packery Channel Park 7/5 7/6 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Padre Bali Park 6/14 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Padre Bali Park 6/29 7/1 Bacteria Stormwater


Nueces Poenisch Park 9/26 9/27 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Poenisch Park 10/17 10/18 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Poenisch Park 5/16 5/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Port Aransas - South 3/20 3/21 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Port Aransas - South 10/16 10/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Port Aransas Park 3/20 3/21 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Port Aransas Park 9/18 9/19 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Port Aransas Park 10/16 10/17 Bacteria Stormwater
Nueces Ropes Park 7/11 7/12 Bacteria (?)
Nueces Ropes Park 5/30 5/31 Bacteria Stormwater


Nueces University Beach 7/4 7/5 Bacteria Stormwater
San Patricio Nueces Bay Causeway #4 11/28 11/29 Bacteria (?)
Notes
1 Sheri Land, Texas General Land Office, personal communication, June 2007.
2 Texas General Land Office, Texas Beach Watch website, http://www.glo.state.tx.us/coastal/beachwatch/index.html, accessed in June 2007.

Virginia
Virginia reported 48 beaches that stretch along 70 miles of Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay waters.1 In late 2001, Virginia
used funds available from the federal BEACH Act of 2000 to incorporate monitoring programs that had been in
place in Virginia Beach and Norfolk since the 1970s2 into a statewide, coordinated beach monitoring program. This
program is administered by the Virginia Department
of Health and conducted by state employees at local For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent
health departments and districts. Virginia’s beaches are of samples exceeding the standard
found in Accomack, Gloucester, King George, Mathews, decreased to 1 percent in 2006 from
Northhampton, and York counties and in the independent
cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, and Virginia
2 percent in 2005.
Beach. More than 15 other counties and independent cities in Virginia have marine coastline without beaches. The
monitoring season is mid-May through Labor Day, with some sites sampled through September. In 2006, Fairview
Beach and Guard Shore did not begin monitoring until the end of May/beginning of June.
The Virginia Department of Health has the authority to issue advisories and close beaches. In 2006, advisories
were issued, but not closings. Fairview Beach in King George County had most of the advisory days in the state;
these advisory days occurred from late June to early July and in early September.3 These advisories appear to be pre
cipitation related; a stormdrain near the public swimming area has been identified as a source of high levels of entero
coccus, and a source-tracking project has shown that human waste contributes to high bacteria levels.3 There were fewer
advisory days in 2006 in part due to beach restoration projects at many beaches that were damaged by Hurricane Isabel
in 2003.
A source-tracking project that uses two means of determining whether the source of high enterococcus counts is
human also has resulted in better beachwater quality at beaches in Hampton and Newport News. This project uses
microbial source tracking to determine what species the enterococcus came from, as well as fluorometry to detect deter-
gent brighteners that are found in sewage.3 In 2004 this source tracking confirmed that contamination at two beaches
was sewer-related, and steps were taken to identify and reduce the sources.1 In 2006, the source-tracking project was
able to show that steps taken to eliminate discharges that were discovered because of the source-tracking program were
successful in reducing human sources of indicators.3 Source tracking also indicated that pets, birds, and wildlife were at
times major sources of enterococcus.1
Virginia received a $276,900 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $279,020 grant in 2007. The
state’s beach monitoring and notification program is fully funded by BEACH Act grants. Tourism in Virginia contributes
about $16.5 billion and generates 206,900 related jobs.
Standards
Standards: Virginia formally adopted BEACH Act–required standards in 2004: for ocean and bay waters, an entero
coccus single-sample maximum of 104 cfu/100 ml and a 30-day, five-sample geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml. Beach
closing/advisory decisions are based on exceedance of the single-sample maximum standard; the geometric mean stan-
dard is not used.1 If more than one sampling site at a beach exists, the average of the results for all sampling sites is used
to make closing and advisory decisions for that beach.1 There are no preemptive rainfall standards, but closings and
advisories may be considered based on events such as a harmful algal bloom, fish kill, oil spill, or sewage spill.1
Monitoring
Frequency: In 2006, the program monitored 48 coastal bathing beaches weekly for bacteria during the summer months.
Most of the monitored beaches (44 percent) are in Virginia Beach. Sampling sites in Virginia are chosen based on
proximity to wastewater outfalls, bather load, and accessibility.1
VA.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Practice: Samples are collected Monday through Thursday in 0.5 m of water, 0.3 m from the surface.1 Results are avail-
able 24 hours after samples are delivered to a lab for analysis.
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Virginia’s
daily maximum bacterial standards. All of Virginia’s public beaches are Tier 1. The percent of samples exceeding the
standard decreased to 1 percent in 2006 from 2 percent in 2005.
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Fairview Beach in King George County (37%),
Huntington Beach in Newport News County (10%), and 63rd Street in Virginia Beach County (10%).
Ninety-two percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. There were
no exceedances at any monitoried beaches in Norfolk, Accomack, Hampton, Northampton, Gloucester, Mathews, and
York counties. Ninety-one percent of monitored beaches in Virginia Beach and 75 percent of beaches in Newport News
had no exceedances. The table below lists the tier status, monitoring frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the
exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Accomack Assateague Island National Seashore 1 1/wk 15 0%
Accomack Guard Shore 1 1/wk 14 0%
Gloucester Gloucester Point Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Hampton Buckroe Beach 1 1/wk 17 0%
Hampton Grandview Pier 1 1/wk 8 0%
Hampton Salt Ponds 1 1/wk 17 0%
King George Fairview Beach 1 1/wk 19 37%
Mathews Festival Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Newport News Huntington Beach 1 1/wk 20 10%
Newport News Anderson’s Beach 1 1/wk 18 0%
Newport News Hilton Beach 1 1/wk 18 0%
Newport News King/Lincoln Park 1 1/wk 18 0%
10th View, Behind Quality Inn,1010 W Ocean View
Norfolk 1 1/wk 20 0%
Ave
Norfolk 13th View, North End 1 1/wk 19 0%
21st Bay St., North End Behind Ships Captain
Restaurant
Norfolk 5th Bay St., North End 1 1/wk 20 0%
Norfolk Capeview Ave., North End 1 1/wk 20 0%
East Community Beach, End Of East Ocean View
Ave.
Norfolk North Community Beach 1 1/wk 20 0%
Norfolk Ocean View Park, East Side Of Parking Lot 1 1/wk 20 0%
Norfolk Sara Constance Park, East End 1 1/wk 20 0%
Northampton Cape Henry Light House 1 1/wk 19 0%
Northampton Kiptopeke State Park 1 1/wk 17 0%
Northampton Town Of Cape Charles Public Beach 1 1/wk 17 0%


County Beach Tier
Virginia Beach 63rd Street 1 1/wk 21 10%
Virginia Beach 78th Street 1 1/wk 20 5%
Virginia Beach Back Bay Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Camp Pendleton 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Chesapeake Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Chick’s Beach 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Croatan 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Dam Neck Middle 1 1/wk 13 0%
Virginia Beach Dam Neck North 1 1/wk 13 0%
Virginia Beach Dam Neck South 1 1/wk 13 0%
Virginia Beach First Landing State Park 1 1/wk 18 0%
Virginia Beach Fort Story East 1 1/wk 18 0%
Virginia Beach Fort Story South 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Fort Story West 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Lesner Bridge East 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Little Island Beach North 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Little Island Beach South 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Sandbridge North 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Sandbridge South 1 1/wk 19 0%
Virginia Beach Sea Gate 1 1/wk 19 0%
York Yorktown Beach 1 1/wk 18 0%

Virginia issued eight coastal beach advisory events and no closings in 2006. There was one more closing or advisory
day issued in 2006 than in 2005; a total of 43 days were issued in 2006 compared to 42 days in 2005. Closings and
advisories at Virginia’s Tier 1 beaches decreased from 178 days in 2004 to 42 days in 2005, then increased to 43 days
in 2006. During the time period over which this overall decrease in closing and advisory days occurred, the overall
monitoring frequency at these beaches was steady.
Closing and Advisory Issuance: If a sample exceeds the standard, an advisory is issued.3 No other factors are taken into
account before issuing the advisory. The public is notified via signs at the beach, press releases to local newspapers, and
a website. Advisories are issued for whole beaches, not sections of a beach.
Reopening Procedures: If a beach is placed under advisory or closed, the monitoring frequency is increased until the
water meets water quality standards and the beach is reopened.
Causes of Closings/Advisories: All advisories in 2006 were due to monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels from
unknown sources.

2006 Virginia Coastal Beach Closings/Advisories

King George Fairview Beach 6/15 6/21 Bacteria (?)
Newport News Huntington Beach 6/27 6/30 Bacteria (?)
Newport News Huntington Beach 8/17 8/18 Bacteria (?)
Virginia Beach 63rd Street 5/17 5/19 Bacteria (?)
Virginia Beach 63rd Street 8/2 8/4 Bacteria (?)
Virginia Beach 78th Street 5/23 5/25 Bacteria (?)
Notes
1 Dan Dietrich, Virginia Department of Health, personal communication, June 2007.
3 Virginia Department of Health, Virginia’s Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Program Final Report on 2001–2006 EPA
Beach Monitoring Grant, April 2007.

Washington
Until 2004, Washington had no state-level program for monitoring ocean and bay coastal waters specifically to protect swim-
mer safety. The Washington Department of Health, however, has routinely monitored water quality in commercial and
recreational shellfishing and shellfish growing areas. Under
the state’s Clean Water Act, primary recreational contact For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent
with water is afforded the same protection that shellfish re- of samples exceeding the standard
ceive. Through federal BEACH Act grants, the Washington increased to 5 percent in 2006 from
Department of Ecology initiated a beachwater monitoring
and public notification program. Although Washington water
4 percent in 2005.
temperatures may discourage swimming for a great part of the year, water quality monitoring and notification is expected to
help prevent public health risks to other primary-contact users, including windsurfers, scuba divers, kayakers, and boaters.
Washington State has nearly 1,400 publicly accessible beaches along the Pacific Ocean and Puget Sound. Of these,
169 are used by an average of at least five people a day during the beach season, and approximately half of these were
monitored in 2006.1 The beach season lasts from May 23 through September 15. An additional four surfing and scuba
diving beaches are sampled through October. There are 14 coastal counties in Washington, all of which have beaches in
the monitoring program.
Washington issues both beach closings and advisories. Advisories and closings in 2006 were influenced by two major
sewage spills in addition to numerous other sewage spills caused by power outages that occurred during storms in
November and December. Fourteen beaches in Clallam County were closed for one to two weeks in late May to early
June following a sewage spill. Priest Point Park was under advisory from before Memorial Day weekend to after Labor
Day, Freeland County Park was placed on permanent closure at the end of June, and Hollywood Beach in Clallam
County is under permanent advisory year-round.1
Washington State received a $273,320 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $272,250 grant in 2007.
The federal grants fully fund Washington’s beach monitoring and notification program.
Standards
Indicator Organisms: Enterococcus, fecal coliform
of 104 cfu/100 ml and a geometric mean of 35 cfu/100 ml. Washington uses the single-sample maximum for making
closing and advisory decisions. In addition, the Washington Department of Ecology has long maintained fecal coliform
criteria for recreational swimming and wading as well as shellfish harvesting in the state’s marine waters. Washington has
no preemptive rainfall advisory standards, but beaches are closed when there is a known sewage spill.
Monitoring
Frequency: Washington monitored 49 percent (78) of its recreational beaches for enterococcus at least weekly during the
2006 beach season. All of these beaches, which cover 60 miles of coastline,2 were classified as Tier 1.1
A database was used to evaluate and rank 169 marine beaches used for water contact recreation in 14 coastal counties.
The ranking was based on use, extent of water exchange, and potential risks of fecal pollution from waste water treatment
plants, septic tanks, stormwater drains, freshwater discharges, marinas, pet waste, livestock, marine mammals, and shore
birds. The ranked list was used in conjunction with local health jurisdiction staff knowledge of beach usage and potential
pollution problems, as well as public input, to create a three-tiered system for prioritizing beaches. Tier 1, or priority
beaches, are those that were identified as high use and/or high risk. Tier 2 beaches were identified as medium use with a
reduced risk of fecal pollution. Tier 3 beaches were identified as low use with a minimal risk of fecal pollution. The final
list of Tier 1 beaches identified 73 beaches to be monitored during the summer season and four for the winter season.1
The beaches with geometric means above background levels in 2006 (showing an increase in fecal pollution) will be
evaluated to determine the need for more thorough sampling in 2007.
WA.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Practice: Samples are taken in knee-deep water, usually in the mornings to early afternoon. Results are generally known
24 hours after samples are delivered to a lab. Routine sampling in 2006 was generally conducted Monday through
Wednesday, with resampling usually done on Thursdays.
Washington’s daily maximum bacterial standards. For Tier 1 beaches only, the percent of samples exceeding the standard
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were Arness County Park (20%) and Eagle
Harbor Waterfront Park in Kitsap County (18%), Owens Beach / Point Defiance Park in Pierce County (17%), Fay
Bainbridge State Park (14%) and Pomeroy Park - Manchester Beach in Kitsap County (14%), Freeland County Park/
Holmes Harbor in Island County (13%), Fort Ward State Park in Kitsap County (13%), Edmonds Underwater Park
in Snohomish County (13%), Indianola Dock in Kitsap County (13%), and Neah Bay Picnic Area in Clallam County
(11%).
Thirty-two percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Grays Harbor
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (67%), followed by Pierce (57%), Thurston (50%),
King (40%), Island (40%), Clallam (36%), Whatcom (33%), and Snohomish (17%). Pacific and San Juan Counties
each have one coastal beach; no exceedances occurred at those two beaches. The table below lists the tier status, monitor-
ing frequency, and percent of samples exceeding the standard for all beaches reported in 2006. Beaches are grouped by
county and ranked in descending order by percent exceedance.

County Beach Tier
Clallam Hollywood Beach 2 6/yr 6 33%
Clallam Neah Bay Picnic Area 1 1/wk 9 11%
Clallam Hobuck Beach 1 1/wk 10 10%
Clallam Port Williams Boat Launch 1 1/wk 57 5%
Clallam Jamestown 1/wk 50 4%
Clallam Mouth Of Elwha River 1 1/wk 50 4%
Clallam Salt Creek Recreation Area County Park 1 1/wk 50 2%
Clallam Cline Spit County Park 1 1/wk 50 0%
Clallam Sooes Beach 1 1/wk 10 0%
Clallam Twin Rivers, Beach 423a 1 1/wk 3 0%
Clallam Freshwater Bay Boat Launch 3 None 50 0%
Grays Harbor Westhaven State Park, South Jetty 1 1/wk 61 3%
Grays Harbor Westhaven State Park, Half Moon Bay 1 1/wk 63 0%
Grays Harbor Westport-The Groins 1 1/wk 58 0%
Island Freeland County Park/Holmes Harbor 1 1/wk 45 13%
Island Oak Harbor City Beach Park 1 1/wk 45 9%
Island Oak Harbor Lagoon 1 1/wk 45 9%
Island Dave Mackie Memorial County Park 1 1/wk 45 0%
Island Utsalady County Park 3 None 36 0%
Jefferson Oak Bay County Park 1 1/wk 73 7%
Jefferson Chimacum Creek Park 1 1/wk 72 4%
Jefferson Fort Worden State Park 1 1/wk 59 2%


County Beach Tier
King Saltwater State Park 1 1/wk 48 8%
King Redondo County Park 1 1/wk 49 8%
King Discovery Park 1 1/wk 46 4%
King Richey Viewpoint 1 1/wk 49 4%
King Alki Point Light Station 1 1/wk 49 2%
King Golden Gardens Park 1 1/wk 49 2%
King Richmond Beach County Park 1 1/wk 49 2%
King Seacrest Park 1 1/wk 49 2%
King Carkeek Park 1 1/wk 50 2%
King Alki Beach Park 1 1/wk 48 0%
King Dash Point State Park 1 1/wk 24 0%
King Dockton County Park 1 1/wk 24 0%
King Lincoln Park 1 1/wk 48 0%
King Lowman Beach Park 1 1/wk 49 0%
King Seahurst County Park 1 1/wk 49 0%
Kitsap Arness County Park 1 1/wk 51 20%
Kitsap Eagle Harbor Waterfront Park 1 1/wk 57 18%
Kitsap Fay Bainbridge State Park 1 1/wk 51 14%
Kitsap Pomeroy Park - Manchester Beach 1 1/wk 51 14%
Kitsap Fort Ward State Park 1 1/wk 54 13%
Kitsap Indianola Dock 1 1/wk 48 13%
Kitsap Lions Park 1 1/wk 45 7%
Kitsap Evergreen Park 1 1/wk 54 6%
Kitsap Illahee State Park 1 1/wk 48 2%
Kitsap Silverdale County Park 1 1/wk 48 2%
Mason Twanoh State Park 1 1/wk 70 4%
Mason Walker County Park 1 1/wk 48 4%
Mason Lilliwaup Tidelands State Park 1 1/wk 57 4%
Mason Potlatch State Park 1 1/wk 59 2%
Pacific Cape Disappointment 1 1/wk 50 0%
Pierce Owens Beach / Point Defiance Park 1 1/wk 30 17%
Pierce Ruston Way Waterfront Park 1 1/wk 48 6%
Pierce Titlow Park 1 1/wk 48 4%
Pierce Brown’s Point Lighthouse Park 1 1/wk 48 2%
Pierce Camp Seymour 1 1/wk 24 0%
Pierce Purdy Sandspit County Park 1 1/wk 24 0%
Pierce Solo Point Boat Launch 1 1/wk 48 0%
Pierce Sunnyside Beach Park 1 1/wk 24 0%
San Juan Sucia Island State Park 1 1/wk 21 0%
Skagit Bayview State Park 1 1/wk 75 4%
Snohomish Edmonds Underwater Park 1 1/wk 70 13%


County Beach Tier
Snohomish Jetty Island 1 1/wk 33 9%
Snohomish Picnic Point County Park 1 1/wk 62 8%
Snohomish Howarth Park 1 1/wk 56 7%
Snohomish Marina Beach South/Edmonds 1 1/wk 109 6%
Snohomish Kayak Point County Park 1 1/wk 52 0%
Thurston Burfoot County Park 1 1/wk 45 4%
Thurston Tolmie State Park 1 1/wk 46 0%
Whatcom Birch Bay County Park 1 1/wk 53 2%
Whatcom Birch Bay State Park 1 1/wk 53 2%
Whatcom Cottonwood Beach County Park 1 1/wk 54 0%

Four beach advisories and 35 closings were issued in Washington State in 2006. Closing and advisory days lasting six
consecutive weeks or less increased 36 percent to 294 days in 2006 from 216 days in 2005. There were three permanent
closing/advisory events in 2006 compared to two in 2005. The increase in advisory and closing days is due at least in part
to sewage spills that resulted from power outages caused by storms in November and December. Closings and advisories
at Washington’s 76 Tier 1 beaches increased from 56 days in 2004 to 382 days in 2005, then decreased to 157 days in
2006. During the time period over which this overall increase in advisory days occurred, the overall monitoring fre-
quency at these beaches was fairly steady. Washington told NRDC that the increase in closing and advisory days between
2004 and 2005 was primarily due to better communication between local officials and the Department of Ecology rather
than to worsening water quality.3
Closing/Advisory Issuance: Samples are taken from three locations at each beach, and the bacterial count for the simul-
taneous samples is averaged and compared to the standard. Advisories are not generally issued until resampling confirms.
However, if average enterococcus concentrations are more than 1000 cfu/100 ml, the state usually recommends posting an
advisory immediately.4 The public is notified of closings and advisories via websites, signs, news releases, and email. Closings
and advisories can be issued for sections of beach rather than a whole beach but in general are issued for entire beaches.4
Reopening Procedures: If a beach is closed or placed under advisory, the monitoring frequency is increased until the
beach is reopened.
Causes of Closings/Advisories: Ninety-nine percent (291) of closing/advisory days in 2006 were in response to known
sewage spills. The remaining one percent (3) were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels from unknown
sources of contamination.
2006 Washington Coastal Beach Closings/Advisories

Clallam Cline Spit Boat Launch 5/23 6/1 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Clallam Cline Spit County Park 5/23 6/1 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Clallam Dry Creek, Beach 414 5/23 6/1 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Clallam Dungeness Recreation Area 5/23 6/1 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Clallam Ediz Hook Park 5/23 6/8 Prempt-sew Sew-break


Clallam Freshwater Bay Boat Launch 5/23 6/1 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Clallam Freshwater Bay, Beach 416 5/23 6/1 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Clallam Hollywood Beach 1/1 12/31 Prempt-other Other
Clallam Mouth Of Elwha River 5/23 6/1 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Clallam Port Angeles Boat Haven 5/23 6/8 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Clallam Port Angeles Waterfront Trail 5/23 6/8 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Clallam Salt Creek Recreation Area County Park 5/23 6/1 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Clallam Striped Peak Recreation Area 5/23 6/1 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Island Freeland County Park / Holmes Harbor 6/30 12/31 Prempt-other (?)
King Lincoln Park 1/17 1/25 Prempt-sew Sew-break
King Lincoln Park 2/4 2/21 Prempt-sew Sew-break
King Lowman Beach Park 2/4 2/21 Prempt-sew Sew-break
King Seahurst County Park 6/20 6/20 Bacteria (?)
Kitsap Arness County Park 8/24 8/29 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Kitsap Evergreen Park 1/1 1/6 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Kitsap Liberty Bay Park 3/21 3/25 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Kitsap Lions Park 1/1 1/6 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Kitsap Oyster Plant Park 3/21 3/25 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Kitsap Pomeroy Park - Manchester Beach 7/18 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Kitsap Poulsbo Boat Launch And Marina 3/21 3/25 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Kitsap Poulsbo Waterfront Park 3/21 3/25 Prempt-sew Sew-break
Kitsap Silverdale County Park 1/1 1/6 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Mason Allyn Park 4/26 5/10 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Mason Allyn Port And Dock 4/26 5/10 Prempt-sew Comb-sew-overflow
Thurston Priest Point Park 5/28 9/4 Prempt-other Other
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Comb-sew-overflow, combined sewage overflow; Preempt-rain,
preemptive due to heavy rainfall; Pre-empt-sew, preemptice due to sewage discharge or spill; Preempt-other, preemptive due to reasons not listed
here; Sew-break, sewer line blockage/break; (?), unknown.
Notes
1 Washington Department of Ecology, January – December, 2006 (FFY05) Annual Report for: Washington State’s BEACH Program, not dated.
3 Lynn Schneider, Washington Department of Ecology, April 2006.
4 Lynn Schneider, Washington Department of Ecology, May 2007.

Wisconsin
Wisconsin has 192 public beaches along 55 miles of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan coastline. The Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources coordinates Wisconsin’s beach monitoring program and administers the BEACH
Act grants, and local health departments conduct the
actual water quality monitoring. Nearly two-thirds of
Wisconsin’s Great Lakes beaches are monitored. At least a of samples exceeding the standard
few beaches in 13 counties bordering Lake Superior and decreased to 16 percent in 2006 from
Lake Michigan are monitored, with Door County along
17 percent in 2005.
Lake Michigan having the most monitored beaches.1 No
beaches in Marinette or Oconto Counties are monitored. Most beaches are monitored from Memorial Day weekend
through Labor Day weekend, but initiation of monitoring can be delayed where colder temperatures delay the onset of
the swim season.
Generally, water quality exceedances at Wisconsin’s Great Lakes beaches are associated with rainfall. The 2006 swim
season saw more rain than 2005, and exceedances rose. However, there were not as many exceedances as in 2004, when
rainfall was especially heavy.2
Wisconsin issues both closings and advisories, and is using its beach monitoring data to provide information needed
for source identification and mitigation to improve water quality. An extension of a stormwater outfall at Otumba Park
Beach in time for the 2006 swim season seems to have resulted in a reduced number of advisories and closings at that
location. A number of changes are planned in Door County in time to improve water quality at Door County beaches
in 2007.3
Wisconsin received a $225,270 federal BEACH Act grant in 2006 and is eligible for a $225,960 grant in 2007. While
no specific figures are available, health departments often have to pay for some of their beach monitoring costs because
funding for the program is insufficient.3

Standards: Wisconsin uses the BEACH Act standards for E. coli to make beach closing/advisory determinations. The
BEACH Act freshwater E. coli standards are a single-sample maximum of 235 cfu/100 ml and a geometric mean of
126 cfu/100 ml. Exceedance of the single-sample maximum or the geometric mean E. coli standards will trigger the
issuance of an advisory at Tier 1 beaches. Tier 2 and Tier 3 beaches use the single-sample E. coli standard to determine
advisory status. All tiers of beaches are closed if a single sample exceeds 1000 cfu/100 ml.
Wisconsin has not changed its administrative rule to include the 1986 E. coli criteria. Instead, its code specifies the
fecal coliform standard (although Wisconsin is not using these standards for its quality determinations). Wisconsin is
waiting until the EPA publishes new criteria before it goes through the rigor of rulemaking.2
Wisconsin also has preemptive advisory standards. Beaches are closed or placed under advisory after rainfall (depend-
ing on location), sewer overflows, or stormwater overflows. Milwaukee uses predictive models instead of monitoring to
determine advisories for a few of its beaches. All beaches must be closed if there are reports of illnesses, known sewage
spills or leaks, or after rainfall events severe enough to have known impacts on beachwaters.3
Monitoring
Frequency: Wisconsin reported 192 Great Lakes beaches for 2006. Sixty-six percent (126) of the beaches are monitored at
least once a week; these beaches represent 38 miles of coastline.3 Wisconsin has developed an inland beach monitoring pro-
gram that mirrors the Great Lakes program, and monitors popular inland swimming beaches at 10 state parks and forests.3
Beaches were assigned high, medium, and low priority based on the location of wastewater outfalls, the poten-
tial for impacts from stormwater runoff, bather and waterfowl loads, and the location of outfalls and farms.3 All
WI.1 Natural Resources Defense Council

Tier 1 beaches were monitored at least four times each week, while all Tier 2 beaches were monitored at least two
times each week. Fifty-five of the 121 Tier 3 beaches were monitored once a week. Milwaukee County monitors
some beaches on a daily basis (Bradford, McKinley, South Shore, South Shore Rocky, and Watercraft in the city
of Milwaukee).1
Practice: Samples are taken in knee-deep water at a depth of six to 12 inches.3 The time of day at which samples are
t aken varies, but they are generally taken in the morning.2 Samples must be delivered to a lab within 24 hours and
are generally delivered before 2 p.m. the day that they are taken; results are available 24 hours after delivery to the
lab. Samples are generally taken Monday through Thursday for Tier 1 beaches, Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays
and Thursdays for Tier 2 beaches, and Wednesday or Thursday for Tier 3 beaches, with some variation from county
to county.2
Results: For the second consecutive year, NRDC looked at the percent of monitoring samples that exceeded Wisconsin’s
In 2006, the Tier 1 beaches with the highest percent exceedances were YMCA Beach (84%) and Point Beach-
Lakeshore in Manitowoc County (64%); Kohler Andrae North Picnic in Sheboygan County (61%); Point Beach-
Lighthouse in Manitowoc County (58%); Kohler Andrae North Beach (58%), Kohler Andrae South (57%), Kohler
Andrae Nature Center (57%) and KK Road Beach in Sheboygan County (55%).
Twenty-five percent of all monitored beaches did not exceed the standard for any sample taken in 2006. Brown
County had the highest percentage of beaches with no exceedances (80%) followed by Ashland (71%), Door (45%),
Bayfield (44%), Iron (20%), Milwaukee (20%), Douglas (7%). The table below lists the tier status, monitoring fre-

County Beach Tier
Ashland Kreher Park Beach 2 2/wk 30 10%
Ashland Maslowski Beaches 2 2/wk 28 7%
Ashland Bayview Park Beach 2 2/wk 30 0%
Ashland Big Bay State Park Beach 3 1/wk 14 0%
Ashland Big Bay Town Park Beach 3 1/wk 14 0%
Ashland Casper Road Beach 3 1/wk 14 0%
Ashland La Pointe Memorial Beach 3 1/wk 14 0%
Bayfield Thompson West End Park Beach 3 1/wk 21 38%
Bayfield Herbster Beach 3 1/wk 16 13%
Bayfield Washburn Marina 3 1/wk 14 7%
Bayfield Bono Creek Boat Launch Beach 3 1/wk 15 7%
Bayfield Memorial Park Beach Washburn 3 1/wk 15 7%
Bayfield Washburn Walking Trail Beach / BAB Beach 3 1/wk 15 7%
Bayfield Wikdal Memorial Boat Launch Beach 3 1/wk 15 7%
Bayfield Bark Bay Beaches 3 1/wk 14 0%
Bayfield Broad Street Beach 3 1/wk 14 0%
Bayfield Memorial Beach Bayfield 3 1/wk 14 0%


County Beach Tier
Bayfield Port Wing Beach East 3 1/wk 14 0%
Bayfield Port Wing Beach West 3 1/wk 14 0%
Bayfield Siskiwit Bay Beach 3 1/wk 14 0%
Bayfield Washington Avenue Beach 3 1/wk 15 0%
Bayfield Highway 13 Wayside Beach 0 None 0 NA
Bayfield Little Sand Bay Beach 0 None 0 NA
Bayfield River Loop Road Beach 0 None 0 NA
Bayfield Sioux River Beach North 3 None 0 NA
Bayfield Sioux River Beach South 3 None 0 NA
Bayfield Washburn Marina Beach 0 None 0 NA
Brown Bayshore Park Beach 3 1/wk 12 0%
Brown Communiversity Park Beach 3 1/wk 12 0%
Brown Longtail Beach 3 1/wk 10 0%
Brown Longtail Beach 3 1/wk 10 0%
Brown Bay Beach 0 None 0 NA
Brown Joliet Park 0 None 0 NA
Brown Riverside Drive Beach 0 None 0 NA
Brown Town of Scott Park Beach 0 None 0 NA
Brown Van Lanen Beach 0 None 0 NA
Brown Volk’s Landing Boat Launch Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Otumba Park Beach 1 4/wk 56 21%
Door Sunset Park Beach Sturgeon Bay 1 4/wk 58 21%
Door Portage Park Beach 2 2/wk 31 19%
Door Anclam Park Beach 2 2/wk 32 19%
Door Whitefish Dunes Beach 1 4/wk 56 18%
Door Lakeside Park Beach 2 2/wk 33 15%
Door Jackson Harbor Ridges - WI 2 1/wk 16 13%
Door Percy Johnson Memorial Park Beach 2 1/wk 16 13%
Door Whitefish Bay Boat Launch Beach 3 1/wk 16 13%
Door Murphy Park Beach 1 4/wk 56 9%
Door Baileys Harbor Ridges Park Beach 1 4/wk 57 9%
Door Sturgeon Bay Canal Recreation Area Beach 2 2/wk 29 7%
Door Fish Creek Beach 1 4/wk 57 5%
Door Egg Harbor Beach 1 4/wk 60 3%
Door Nicolet Beach 1 4/wk 57 2%
Door Ellison Bay Town Park Beach 1 4/wk 56 0%
Door Ephraim Beach 1 4/wk 56 0%
Door Europe Bay Beach 1 2 2/wk 28 0%
Door Gislason Beach 3 1/wk 14 0%


County Beach Tier
Door Haines Park Beach 3 1/wk 13 0%
Door Newport Bay Beach 1 4/wk 55 0%
Door Rock Island State Park Beach 3 1/wk 14 0%
Door Sand Dune Beach 2 1/wk 14 0%
Door Sandy Bay Town Park Beach 2 2/wk 28 0%
Door School House Beach 2 1/wk 14 0%
Door Sister Bay Beach 1 4/wk 56 0%
Door Arrowhead Lane Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Bittersweet Lane Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Braunsdorf Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Chippewa Drive Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Clay Banks Beach 1 0 None 0 NA
Door Clay Banks Beach 2 0 None 0 NA
Door Cliff View Drive Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door County TT Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Deer Path Lane Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Garrett Bay Boat Launch Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Goldenrod Lane Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Hemlock Lane Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Isle View Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Kickapoo Drive Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Lakeshore Drive Beach Door 0 None 0 NA
Door Lily Bay Boat Launch Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Pebble Beach Road Beach 1 Door 0 None 0 NA
Door Potawatomi State Park Beach 1 0 None 0 NA
Door Potawatomi State Park Beach 2 0 None 0 NA
Door Sand Bay Beach 1 0 None 0 NA
Door Sand Bay Beach 2 0 None 0 NA
Door Sand Cove 0 None 0 NA
Door Sunset Beach Fish Creek 1 None 0 NA
Door White Pine Lane Beach 0 None 0 NA
Door Winnebago Drive Beach 0 None 0 NA
Douglas Wisconsin Point Beach 2 3 2/wk 26 35%
Douglas Brule River State Forest Beach 2 3 1/wk 19 16%
Douglas Barker’s Island Inner Beach 2 2/wk 32 16%
Douglas Allouez Bay Beach 3 3 1/wk 19 11%
Douglas Amnicon River Beach 3 1/wk 18 6%


County Beach Tier
Douglas Middle River Beach 3 1/wk 18 6%
Douglas Allouez Bay Beach 1 3 None 0 NA
Douglas Allouez Bay Beach 2 3 None 0 NA
Douglas Barker’s Island Outer Beach 3 None 0 NA
Douglas Conners Point Beaches 0 None 0 NA
Iron Oronto Bay Beach 2 3 1/wk 15 7%
Iron Saxon Harbor Beach West 3 1/wk 13 0%
None
Iron Saxon Harbor Beach East 3 (Beach closed 0 NA
under construction)
Kenosha Eichelman Beach 2 4/wk 54 48%
Kenosha Pennoyer Park Beach 3 2/wk 27 33%
Kenosha Simmons Island Beach 2 2/wk 32 16%
Kenosha Southport Park Beach 3 1/wk 16 13%
Kenosha Alford Park Beach 3 1/wk 15 7%
Kenosha Lakeshore Drive Beach Kenosha 0 None 0 NA
Kenosha Melissa Beach 0 None 0 NA
Kewaunee Crescent Beach 2 2/wk 35 34%
Kewaunee City Of Kewaunee Beach 3 1/wk 21 33%
Kewaunee 9th Avenue Wayside Beach 0 None 0 NA
Kewaunee Lighthouse Vista Beach 0 None 0 NA
Kewaunee Red River Park Beaches 0 None 0 NA
Manitowoc YMCA Beach 2 2/wk 25 84%
Point Beach State Forest-Lakeshore Picnic Area
Manitowoc 2 2/wk 25 64%
Beach
Point Beach State Forest-Lighthouse Picnic Area
Manitowoc 2 2/wk 24 58%
Beach
Manitowoc Memorial Drive Wayside Beach North 2 2/wk 25 52%
Manitowoc Point Beach State Forest-Concession Stand Beach 2 2/wk 25 52%
Manitowoc Red Arrow Park Beach Manitowoc 2 2/wk 25 52%
Manitowoc Neshotah Beach 2 2/wk 24 50%
Manitowoc Memorial Drive Wayside Beach South 2 1/wk 21 48%
Manitowoc Hika Park Bay 3 1/wk 17 35%
Manitowoc Fischer Park Beaches 3 1/wk 15 33%
Manitowoc Lincoln High School Beach 0 None 0 NA
Manitowoc Maritime Dr Boat Launch Beach 3 None 0 NA
Manitowoc Memorial Drive Wayside Beach Middle 0 None 0 NA
Manitowoc Silver Creek Beach 0 None 0 NA


County Beach Tier
Manitowoc Two Creek Boat Launch Beach 0 None 0 NA
Manitowoc University Beach 0 None 0 NA
Manitowoc Warm Water Beach 2 None 0 NA
Marinette Michaelis Park Beach 0 None 0 NA
Marinette Peshtigo Harbor Boat Launch Beach 0 None 0 NA
Marinette Red Arrow Marinette 1 Beach 0 None 0 NA
Marinette Seagull Bar Wildlife Area Beach 0 None 0 NA
Milwaukee Tietjen Beach/Doctor’s Park 2 2/wk 34 35%
Milwaukee South Shore Beach 1 Daily 85 32%
Milwaukee South Shore Rocky Beach 2 1/wk 14 29%
Milwaukee Bradford Beach 1 Daily 86 20%
Milwaukee Bender Beach 2 2/wk 28 18%
Milwaukee Grant Park Beach 2 2/wk 27 11%
Milwaukee Klode Park Beach 2 2/wk 28 11%
Milwaukee Bay View Park Beach 3 1/wk 19 11%
Milwaukee Atwater Park Beach 2 2/wk 27 7%
Milwaukee McKinley Beach 2 1/wk 14 0%
Milwaukee Watercraft Beach 2 1/wk 14 0%
Milwaukee Big Bay Park Beach 0 None 0 NA
Milwaukee Sheridan Park Beach 0 None 0 NA
Oconto Oconto City Park 0 None 0 NA
Ozaukee Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve 3 1/wk 22 36%
Ozaukee Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve 3 1/wk 22 36%
Ozaukee County Road D Boat Launch Beach 1 5/wk 66 23%
Ozaukee Harrington State Park Beach North 1 4/wk 61 16%
Ozaukee Cedar Beach Rd Beach 1 4/wk 63 13%
Ozaukee Harrington State Park Beach South 1 4/wk 63 13%
Ozaukee Upper Lake Park Beach 1 4/wk 59 12%
Ozaukee Upper Lake Park Beach 1 4/wk 60 12%
Ozaukee Jay Road Beach 0 None 0 NA
Ozaukee Pebble Road Beach 0 None 0 NA
Ozaukee Sandy Beach Road Beach 0 None 0 NA
Ozaukee Silver Beach Road Beach 0 None 0 NA
Ozaukee Virmond County Park 0 None 0 NA
Racine Zoo Beach 1 5/wk 70 10%
Racine North Beach 1 5/wk 68 4%


County Beach Tier
Racine Michigan Boulevard Beach 0 None 0 NA
Racine Myers Park Beach 0 None 0 NA
Racine Parkway Beach 0 None 0 NA
Racine Shoop Park Beach 0 None 0 NA
Racine Wind Point Lighthouse Beach 0 None 0 NA
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park North Picnic Beach 1 4/wk 51 61%
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park North Beach 1 4/wk 52 58%
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park Nature Center Beach 1 4/wk 51 57%
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park South Picnic Beach 1 4/wk 51 57%
Sheboygan KK Road Beach 3 1/wk 20 55%
Sheboygan Amsterdam Beach 3 1/wk 20 45%
Sheboygan Van Ess Road Beach 3 1/wk 19 37%
Sheboygan Deland Park Beach 2 4/wk 51 31%
Sheboygan Blue Harbor Beach 1 4/wk 50 20%
Sheboygan General King Park Beach 2 4/wk 50 20%
Sheboygan 3rd Street Beach 0 None 0 NA
Sheboygan Foster Road Beach 0 None 0 NA
Sheboygan Lakeview Park Beach 0 None 0 NA
Sheboygan Vollrath Park Beach 0 None 0 NA
Sheboygan Whitcomb Avenue Beach 0 None 0 NA
Sheboygan Wilson Lima Beach / White’s Beach 0 None 0 NA

Wisconsin issued 450 beach advisories, 183 beach closures, and 72 rain advisories in 2006. The total number of closing/
advisory days for beaches in Wisconsin increased 8 percent to 1,101 in 2006 from 1,018 in 2005. Closings and adviso-
ries at Wisconsin’s 26 Tier 1 beaches decreased from 464 days in 2004 to 382 days in 2005, and then increased to 469
days in 2006. This small overall increase in closing and advisory days from 2004 to 2006 may be due in part to a small
increase in monitoring frequency of Tier 1 beaches over that time period.
Closing/Advisory Issuance: Resampling to confirm an exceedance is not done before an advisory or closure is issued.3
Many counties with longer beaches composite all the samples along their beach and make closing and advisory decisions
for the entire beach based on the composite results.2 Wisconsin is doing source tracking and pathogen detection in gull
feces to determine if high bacterial counts due to birds are resulting in unnecessary closures and advisories.3 When a clos-
ing or advisory is issued, the public is notified via a website and email.
Reopening Procedures: Beaches are resampled immediately if there is an exceedance. Advisories are lifted when the stan-
dards are met but closings are not lifted until standards are met for two days in a row.
Causes of Closings/Advisories: Eighty-four percent (924) of Wisconsin’s closing/advisory days in 2006 were due to moni-
toring that revealed elevated bacteria levels from unknown sources of contamination. Twelve percent of closing/advisory
days (128) were preemptive rainfall advisories, and 4 percent (49) were preemptive for other causes.

2006 Great Lakes Beach Closings and Advisories

Ashland Kreher Park Beach 7/25 7/25 Bacteria (?)
Ashland Kreher Park Beach 7/30 7/30 Bacteria (?)
Ashland Maslowski Beaches 7/30 7/30 Bacteria (?)
Ashland Maslowski Beaches 8/22 8/22 Bacteria (?)
Bayfield Bono Creek Boat Launch Beach 8/2 8/2 Bacteria (?)
Bayfield Herbster Beach 6/20 6/20 Bacteria (?)
Bayfield Herbster Beach 7/18 7/18 Bacteria (?)
Bayfield Memorial Park Beach Washburn 8/2 8/2 Bacteria (?)
Bayfield Thompson West End Park Beach 8/2 8/2 Bacteria (?)
Bayfield Washburn Marina Beach 8/2 8/2 Bacteria (?)
Bayfield Washburn Walking Trail Beach / Bab Beach 8/2 8/2 Bacteria (?)
Bayfield Wikdal Memorial Boat Launch Beach 8/2 8/2 Bacteria (?)
Door Anclam Park Beach 6/7 6/8 Bacteria (?)
Door Anclam Park Beach 6/6 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Door Baileys Harbor Ridges Park Beach 6/8 6/8 Bacteria (?)
Door Egg Harbor Beach 8/11 8/11 Bacteria (?)
Door Egg Harbor Beach 8/30 8/30 Bacteria (?)
Door Egg Harbor Beach 6/6 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)


Door Ephraim Beach 6/6 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Door Fish Creek Beach 8/3 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Door Fish Creek Beach 6/6 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Door Jackson Harbor Ridges - Wi 7/25 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Door Lakeside Park Beach 6/7 6/7 Bacteria (?)
Door Lakeside Park Beach 6/6 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Door Murphy Park Beach 6/7 6/7 Bacteria (?)
Door Murphy Park Beach 6/6 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)


Door Nicolet Beach 8/2 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Door Otumba Park Beach 6/6 6/6 Bacteria (?)
Door Otumba Park Beach 6/24 6/25 Prempt-rain (?)
Door Percy Johnson Memorial Park Beach 7/25 7/27 Bacteria (?)
Door Portage Park Beach 6/22 6/22 Bacteria (?)
Door Sturgeon Bay Canal Recreation Area Beach 8/7 8/8 Bacteria (?)
Door Sunset Park Beach Sturgeon Bay 6/15 6/15 Bacteria (?)
Door Sunset Park Beach Sturgeon Bay 6/6 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)


Door Whitefish Bay Boat Launch Beach 6/7 6/7 Bacteria (?)
Door Whitefish Bay Boat Launch Beach 8/2 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Door Whitefish Dunes Beach 6/7 6/7 Bacteria (?)
Douglas Allouez Bay Beach 3 6/27 6/28 Bacteria (?)
Douglas Amnicon River Beach 8/2 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Douglas Barker’s Island Inner Beach 6/7 6/7 Bacteria (?)
Douglas Brule River State Forest Beach 1 8/1 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Douglas Middle River Beach 8/2 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Douglas Wisconsin Point Beach 1 7/11 7/11 Bacteria (?)


Iron Oronto Bay Beach 2 8/2 8/2 Bacteria (?)
Iron Oronto Bay Beach 3 8/2 8/2 Bacteria (?)
Kenosha Alford Park Beach 7/11 7/11 Bacteria (?)
Kenosha Eichelman Beach 6/1 6/1 Bacteria (?)
Kenosha Pennoyer Park Beach 6/20 6/20 Bacteria (?)
Kenosha Simmons Island Beach 6/27 6/27 Bacteria (?)
Kenosha Southport Park Beach 6/27 6/27 Bacteria (?)
Kenosha Southport Park Beach 7/11 7/11 Bacteria (?)
Kewaunee City Of Kewaunee Beach 7/19 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Kewaunee Crescent Beach 6/8 6/8 Bacteria (?)


Manitowoc Fischer Park Beaches 6/7 6/13 Bacteria (?)
Manitowoc Hika Park Bay 6/7 6/13 Bacteria (?)
Manitowoc Memorial Drive Wayside Beach North 6/27 6/28 Bacteria (?)
Manitowoc Memorial Drive Wayside Beach South 7/18 7/24 Bacteria (?)
Manitowoc Neshotah Beach 6/27 6/28 Bacteria (?)


Manitowoc Point Beach State Forest - Concession Stand Beach 6/14 6/19 Bacteria (?)
Manitowoc Point Beach State Forest - Lakeshore Picnic Area Beach 6/14 6/19 Bacteria (?)
Manitowoc Point Beach State Forest - Lighthouse Picnic Area Beach 6/27 6/28 Bacteria (?)


Manitowoc Point Beach State Forest-Lighthouse Picnic Area Beach 7/27 7/30 Bacteria (?)
Manitowoc Red Arrow Park Beach Manitowoc 7/18 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Manitowoc YMCA Beach 6/7 6/13 Bacteria (?)
Milwaukee Atwater Park Beach 8/3 8/3 Bacteria (?)
Milwaukee Atwater Park Beach 8/17 8/17 Bacteria (?)


Milwaukee Bay View Park Beach 6/1 6/1 Bacteria (?)
Milwaukee Bay View Park Beach 7/11 7/11 Bacteria (?)
Milwaukee Bay View Park Beach 5/31 5/31 Prempt-rain (?)
Milwaukee Bender Beach 6/1 6/1 Bacteria (?)
Milwaukee Bender Beach 5/31 5/31 Prempt-rain (?)
Milwaukee Bradford Beach 6/1 6/1 Bacteria (?)
Milwaukee Bradford Beach 6/15 6/15 Prempt-other (?)


Milwaukee Bradford Beach 7/1 7/1 Prempt-other (?)
Milwaukee Grant Park Beach 7/11 7/11 Bacteria (?)
Milwaukee Grant Park Beach 5/31 5/31 Prempt-rain (?)
Milwaukee Klode Park Beach 7/20 7/20 Bacteria (?)
Milwaukee Mckinley Beach 6/13 6/13 Prempt-other (?)
Milwaukee South Shore Beach 6/1 6/1 Bacteria (?)


Milwaukee South Shore Beach 8/26 8/26 Prempt-rain (?)
Milwaukee Tietjen Beach / Doctor’s Park 7/18 7/18 Bacteria (?)
Ozaukee Cedar Beach Rd Beach 6/10 6/10 Bacteria (?)


Ozaukee Cedar Beach Rd Beach 5/29 5/29 Prempt-other (?)
Ozaukee County Road D Boat Launch Beach 6/10 6/10 Bacteria (?)
Ozaukee Harrington State Park Beach North 6/10 6/10 Bacteria (?)
Ozaukee Harrington State Park Beach South 6/10 6/10 Bacteria (?)
Ozaukee Harrington State Park Beach South 5/29 5/29 Prempt-other (?)
Ozaukee Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve 7/21 7/21 Bacteria (?)


Ozaukee Upper Lake Park Beach 6/2 6/2 Bacteria (?)
Ozaukee Upper Lake Park Beach 6/10 6/10 Prempt-other (?)


Racine North Beach 7/11 7/11 Bacteria (?)
Racine Zoo Beach 7/11 7/11 Bacteria (?)


Sheboygan Amsterdam Beach 6/27 7/3 Bacteria (?)
Sheboygan Amsterdam Beach 5/31 5/31 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan Blue Harbor Beach 7/5 7/5 Bacteria (?)
Sheboygan Blue Harbor Beach 5/31 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan Blue Harbor Beach 6/22 6/22 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan Deland Park Beach 7/11 7/12 Bacteria (?)
Sheboygan Deland Park Beach 6/7 6/13 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan General King Park Beach 7/19 7/19 Bacteria (?)
Sheboygan General King Park Beach 5/31 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan General King Park Beach 6/22 6/22 Prempt-rain (?)


Sheboygan Kk Road Beach 7/11 7/17 Bacteria (?)
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park Nature Center Beach 6/27 6/27 Bacteria (?)
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park Nature Center Beach 5/31 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park Nature Center Beach 6/22 6/22 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park North Beach 6/27 6/27 Bacteria (?)
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park North Beach 5/31 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park North Beach 6/22 6/22 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park North Picnic Beach 6/27 6/27 Bacteria (?)


Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park North Picnic Beach 5/31 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park North Picnic Beach 6/22 6/22 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park South Picnic Beach 6/27 6/27 Bacteria (?)
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park South Picnic Beach 5/31 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan Kohler Andrae State Park South Picnic Beach 6/22 6/22 Prempt-rain (?)
Sheboygan Van Ess Road Beach 6/27 7/3 Bacteria (?)
Sheboygan Van Ess Road Beach 5/31 6/6 Prempt-rain (?)
Abbreviations used: Bacteria, monitoring that revealed high bacteria levels; Preempt-rain, preemptive due to heavy rainfall; Preempt-other,
preemptive due to reasons not listed here; (?), unknown.
Notes
1 Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Beach Information Table, not dated.
2 Tony Glymph, Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Beach Program Coordinator, personal communication, May 2007.
3 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin’s Great Lakes Beach Monitoring and Notification Program Annual Report Beach Season 2006,
not dated.

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Testing the Waters

A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches

Project Design and Development

NRDC President: Frances Beinecke

Copyright 2007 by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

ii Natural Resources Defense Council

iii Natural Resources Defense Council

Closings and Advisories Increase At High-Risk Beaches

Polluted Water Hurts Coastal Economies

iv Natural Resources Defense Council

NRDC Finds That Authorities Are Not Controlling Beach Pollution

Recommendations for Improving Beachwater Quality and Protecting

 Natural Resources Defense Council

vi Natural Resources Defense Council

Beach Closings/Advisories and Pollution Sources

 Natural Resources Defense Council

Figure 1. Total Closing/Advisory Days, 2000–2006 (excluding extended and permanent)

25 Beaches monitored at least weekly

 Natural Resources Defense Council

Figure 2. Reported Causes of Closings/Advisories in 2006

� Preemptive due to rain known to carry pollution to swimming waters

Figure 3. Reported Causes of Closings/Advisories, 2000–2006

 Natural Resources Defense Council

Figure 4. Sources of Pollution That Caused Closings/Advisories, 2006

Figure 5. Sources of Pollution That Caused Closings/Advisories, 2000–2006

 Natural Resources Defense Council

Special Focus: America’s Highest Risk Beaches

 Natural Resources Defense Council

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Monitoring Total Percent

 Natural Resources Defense Council

Monitoring Total Percent

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Monitoring Total Percent

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Conclusion: Start Identifying and Controlling the Sources

11 Natural Resources Defense Council

ME At least 13 At least 15 At least 5 0 56 92 134

12 Natural Resources Defense Council

13 Natural Resources Defense Council

Sources of Beachwater Pollution

Figure 6. Major Pollution Sources Causing Beach Closings/Advisories in 2006

14 Natural Resources Defense Council

Urban Stormwater Runoff

15 Natural Resources Defense Council

Combined Sewer Overflows

Sanitary Sewer Overflows and Sewer-Line Break Discharges

16 Natural Resources Defense Council

Inadequately Treated Sewage

17 Natural Resources Defense Council

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20 Natural Resources Defense Council

Health Risks and Economic

Diseases Caused by Pathogens in Bathing Waters

Incidence of Diseases Contracted by Swimmers

21 Natural Resources Defense Council

22 Natural Resources Defense Council

Table 5. Pathogens and Swimming-Associated Illnesses

23 Natural Resources Defense Council

Pathogenic Agent Disease

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