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Clean Beach Council Releases Annual List of Clean and HealthyBeaches...

The Clean Beaches Council today released its annual list of beaches which have been officially certified as clean, healthy and environmentally well managed. The announcement was made as families and beach-lovers around the country prepare to flock to the beach for the July 4th weekend, the biggest beach-going weekend of the year.

This year beaches in twenty states and U.S. territories, including American Samoa, California, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, are on the list. (See complete list below.)

Because of the recession, the summer travel season is expected to be lighter than it has been in recent years, according to the Travel Industry Association of America, but still beaches remain one of the most popular destinations, stated Walter McLeod, President of the Clean Beaches Council. Even though millions of Americans spend time at beaches, there is still no easy way to determine which are clean and well managed. We hope our program increases public awareness of our individual responsibility to keep beaches clean and safe.

This year'ss announcement coincides with National Clean Beaches Week (NCBW) held annually from July 1-7. This Earth Day for beaches has four main themes: environment, healthy seafood, sustainable travel, and fitness. Founded in 2004, NCBW has grown in mammoth proportion. More than fifty (50) coastal mayors and twenty-eight (28) coastal governors along with numerous counties have issued proclamations or resolutions endorsing the week. On Capitol Hill, the United States Senate and House of Representatives each unanimously passed Clean Beaches Week resolutions, and the U.S. President has traditionally honored the week.

The Blue Wave is the first environmental certification program for beaches in the U.S. Now in its tenth year, the program has been called the LEEDS certification for beaches. To become certified, beaches adhere to best management practices in the following areas: water quality, beach and intertidal conditions, hazards/safety, services, habitat conservation, erosion management, public information and education.

2009 BLUE WAVE BEACHES

American Samoa

Ofu Beach, National Park of American Samoa

Olosega Beach, National Park of American Samoa

California

Drakes Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore

Wildcat Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore

Limantour Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore

Crescent Beach, Redwood National Park

Gold Bluff Beach, Redwood National Park

Enderts Beach, Redwood National Park

Florida (South Atlantic)

Hollywood Beach

Dania Beach

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Pompano Beach

Deerfield Beach

Florida (Gulf Coast)

Venice Beach

Siesta Key Beach

Caspersen Beach

Lido Beach

Florida (North Atlantic)

Jacksonville Beach

Florida (Central Atlantic)

Jetty Park Beach

Florida (Pan Handle)

Inlet Beach

Rosemary Beach

Seacrest

Seagrove

Seaside

Watercolor

Grayton

Blue Mountain

Santa Rosa

Dune Allen

Sandestin

Seascape

Miramar

Alys Beach

DeerLake State Park    

Grayton Beach State Park

Topsail Hill State Preserve

Johnson Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore

Hawaii

Keauhou Landing, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Halape Shelter, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Ka's aha Beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Indiana

Kemil Beach, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Lake View Beach, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Mount Baldy Beach, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

West Beach, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Maryland

North Ocean Beach, Assateague Island National Seashore

Maine

Sand Beach, Acadia National Park

Echo Beach, Acadia National Park

Massachusetts

Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore

Herring Cove Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore

Marconi Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore

Nauset Light Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore

Race Point Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore

Michigan

Pere Marquette Beach

Esch Beach, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

South Manitou Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sand Pont Beach, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Mississippi

West Ship Island Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore

North Carolina

North Core Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore

South Core Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore

Shackleford Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore

New Jersey

North Beach, Sandy Hook National Seashore

N. Gunnison Beach, Sandy Hook National Seashore

New York

Sunken Forest Beach, Fire Island National Seashore

Watch Hill Beach, Fire Island National Seashore

Oregon

Cannon Beach

South Carolina

Isle of Palms

Surfside Beach

Texas

Rockport Beach

Malaquite Beach, Padre Island National Seashore

Little Shell Beach, Padre Island National Seashore

Big Shell Beach, Padre Island National Seashore

U.S. Virgin Islands

Trunk Bay, Virgin Islands National Seashore

Maho, Virgin Islands National Seashore

Hawksnest, Virgin Islands National Seashore

Virginia

Tom'ss Cove Beach, Assateague Island National Seashore

Washington

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park

Wisconsin

Bradford Beach Milwaukee

North Beach Racine

Julian Bay Beach, Apostle Island National Lakeshore

Little Sand Bay Beach, Apostle Island National Lakeshore

Meyers Beach, Apostle Island National Lakeshore

7 Tips for Family Beach Safety*

1. Keep kids within arms reach (especially in the sea, but also on land)

2. Don'st dive in (2/3 of catastrophic neck/head/spinal injuries occur in the ocean and sea)

3. Knee deep is too deep (strong winds, waves and currents create dangerous rip currents that can sweep a child out to sea)

4. Know before you go (swim near a lifeguard - know your flags; red means stop/green means go)

5. Take frequent breaks (every hour take a sun, bathroom, or water break)

6. Go with the wind (children tend to take the course of least resistance - follow the wind to find your lost kid)

7. Look but don'st touch (call local authorities to help injured/stranded sea life)

*The Clean Beaches Council has collaborated with Dr. Tom Griffiths, Director of Aquatics at The Pennsylvania State University to produce the 7 Tips for Family Beach Safety. This guide is meant to help families make the most of their trip to the beach.

For More Information: www.cleanbeaches.com

Contact: Walter McLeod, (202) 380-9300

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