MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND CRITERIA
2007/08 BLUE WAVE CAMPAIGN
Beaches participating in the Blue Wave Campaign for the 2007/08 beach season will be assessed according to the following 33 criteria for resort beaches and 27 criteria for rural beaches. Periodically, the Blue Wave Campaign criteria are reviewed by a multi-sectoral national steering committee to ensure that the criteria reflect the latest standards and approaches to sustainable beach management.
BLUE WAVE CRITERIA
RESORT BEACHES
A resort beach is one that has developed its facilities, actively encourages visitors and provides varied recreational opportunities. The beach should be within easy access to commercial development. It would typically include hotels, resorts, restaurants, shops, toilets, public transportation, municipal supervision, first aid facilities, and public phones. Resort beaches also may include beaches in urban settings, such as New York City or Los Angeles beaches.
I. Water Quality
1) Beach uses the 1986 Ambient Water Quality for Bacteria guidelines recommended by EPA (or as protective as the EPA guidelines) during the 2007/08 high use season:
Bacteriological Indicators | Recommended Guideline |
| Enterococci (marine) Escherichia coli (fresh water) | 1986 EPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria |
2) Beach takes at least 5 samples over 30-day intervals or appropriate number of samples as deemed by EPA during the high use season.
3) Mechanisms are in place to issue health advisories or closures as necessary.
4) Mechanisms are in place to issue advisories or closures due to severe incidences of algal growth, red tide, or oil spills.
II. Beach and Intertidal Zone
5) Industrial or municipal discharges are in compliance with appropriate standards, causing minimal adverse effects on environment, human health or aesthetics.
6) No or minimal presence of algae or other vegetation materials are accumulating and decaying on the beach.
7) No or minimal presence of trash or debris is on the beach.
8) Procedures are in place for the appropriate handling or removal of stranded or dead marine organisms.
III. Hazards
9) Beach patrol personnel or lifeguards are on duty during the high-use season, with adequate safety provisions readily available for emergency use. A beach flag warning system utilizing a uniform red/yellow/green color scheme is highly recommended.
10) Records of all emergency incidents are kept during the certification season. These records, as well as local emergency plans to cope with pollution incidents, should be available for public inspection upon request, if applicable.
11) Construction or hazardous structures are marked or enclosed to prevent ready access by the public, particularly small children.
12) An advisory and closure system for life-threatening weather conditions (e.g. storms, hurricanes, etc.) exists.
13) Appropriate pest management measures are taken if insect or pest outbreaks become problematic.
IV. Services and Maintenance
14) Easy, safe beach access exists for all, including the disabled where possible.
15) Clearly marked and protected sources of drinking water for public are within walking distance of the beach.
16) Working public or emergency telephones are within walking distance of the beach.
17) Adequate, clean toilet facilities are within walking distance of the beach.
18) Adequate access is provided to parking facilities, including provisions for the disabled where possible.
19) The beach provides appropriate litter bins in adequate numbers, properly secured, regularly maintained and emptied at least once daily; or an effective carry in/carry out program is in place.
V. Habitat Conservation
20) The beach promotes peaceful and protective coexistence of sensitive/plant wildlife habitats with recreation (e.g. zoning for turtle nest sites, bird nest sites, manatee areas, sensitive vegetation, etc.).
21) The beach has evidence that protected sites and rare or protected species have been addressed in partnership with local fish and wildlife services and conservation groups.
22) Management measures are in place, where possible, to address the presence of exotic or invasive species.
VI. Information and Education
23) The beach has in place a system for prompt public warning if the beach has, or is expected to, become grossly polluted or unsafe.
24) Safety education measures are in place to inform the public of hazardous conditions which may, either permanently or from time to time, exist in the water.
25) Laws covering beach use and appropriate codes of conduct are easily available to the public (including in local tourism centers and civic offices).
26) Local ordinances affecting driving, dumping and camping on the beach are clearly displayed and enforced.
27) Local ordinances regarding the presence of animals and pets on the beach are clearly displayed and enforced.
28) The beach provides an easily identified information point with emergency contact information (e.g. local 911, emergency responders, etc.)
29) The beach provides evidence of local conservation educational materials and programs for the public.
30) Methods to control competition for free use of the beach and swimming areas (e.g. fishermen, boaters, water-skiers) are in place and communicated clearly to the public.
VII. Erosion Management
31) The beach has an ongoing program to evaluate techniques and implement sustainable approaches to beach enhancement and nourishment.
32) Vegetated structures are in place, where possible, to help control erosion.
33) Areas sensitive to erosion, such as dunes, are closed to the public and demarcated with adequate signage. The use of walkovers or walkthroughs to control dune trampling is encouraged.
RURAL BEACHES
A rural beach is one that has limited facilities and has not been developed as a resort. Rural beaches are generally more remote than resort beaches, with virtually no commercial beachfront development. However, they may be populated with residential dwellings. Rural beaches also include park facilities. Rural beaches are visited and enjoyed for their intrinsic qualities. Local management maintains a clean environment while promoting considerate use by visitors.
I. Water Quality
1) Beach uses the 1986 Ambient Water Quality for Bacteria guidelines recommended by EPA (or as protective as the EPA guidelines) during the 2007/08 high use season:
Bacteriological Indicators | Recommended Guideline |
| Enterococci (marine) Escherichia coli (fresh water) | 1986 EPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria |
2) Beach takes at least 5 samples over 30-day intervals or appropriate number of samples as deemed by EPA during the high use season.
3) Mechanisms are in place to issue health advisories or closures as necessary.
4) Mechanisms are in place to issue advisories or closures due to severe incidences of algal growth, red tide, or oil spills.
II. Beach and Intertidal Zone
5) Industrial or municipal discharges are in compliance with appropriate standards, causing minimal adverse effects on environment, human health or aesthetics.
6) Large, post-storm build-ups of vegetative matter or algae are removed from the beach. Natural levels of algae on the beach are acceptable.
7) No or minimal presence of trash or debris is on the beach.
8) Procedures are in place for the appropriate handling or removal of stranded or dead marine organisms.
III. Hazards
9) First aid or emergency response is available for a swimming beach (e.g., paramedics, EMT).
10) Unguarded beaches display adequate warnings of potential hazards to swimmers and pedestrians (e.g., rip tides, stingrays, jetties). The use of a beach flag warning system utilizing a standard red/yellow/green color scheme is highly recommended.
11) Appropriate pest management measures are taken if insect or pest outbreaks become problematic.
IV. Services and Maintenance
12) Beach is actively managed under a custodial scheme.
13) Access is safe and well maintained. Where appropriate, road access and parking for vehicles (e.g., handicapped) is adequate. Although not necessarily paved, the road surface is well maintained.
14) Clearly marked and protected sources of drinking water for public are within walking distance of the beach, where feasible.
15) The beach has either appropriate litter bins in adequate numbers or an effective carry-in/carry-out program in place. Litter and animal waste are not allowed to accumulate either on the beach or the surrounding area.
V. Habitat Conservation
16) The beach promotes peaceful and protective coexistence of sensitive/plant wildlife habitats with recreation (e.g. zoning for turtle nest sites, bird nest sites, manatee areas, sensitive vegetation, etc.).
17) The beach has evidence that protected sites and rare or protected species have been addressed in partnership with local fish and wildlife services and conservation groups.
18) Management measures are in place, where possible, to address the presence of exotic or invasive species.
VI. Information and Education
19) The beach provides evidence of local conservation educational materials and programs for the public.
20) Laws covering beach use and appropriate codes of conduct are easily available to the public (including in local tourism centers and civic offices).
21) Local ordinances affecting driving, dumping and camping on the beach are clearly displayed and enforced.
22) Local ordinances regarding the presence of animals and pets on the beach are clearly displayed and enforced.
23) The beach provides an easily identified information point with emergency contact information (e.g. local 911, emergency responders, etc.)
24) Where necessary, methods to control competition for free use of the beach and swimming areas (e.g. fishermen, boaters, water-skiers) are in place and communicated clearly to the public.
VII. Erosion Management
25) The beach has an ongoing program to evaluate techniques and implement sustainable approaches to beach enhancement and nourishment.
26) Vegetated structures are in place, where possible, to help control erosion.
27) Areas sensitive to erosion, such as dunes, are closed to the public and demarcated with adequate signage. The use of walkovers or walkthroughs to control dune trampling is highly encouraged.
