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Department of Ecology News Release - July 7, 2005
05-167
OLYMPIA - Is your favorite beach safe for swimming? Before you hit the road, check on-line to make sure.
For the second year, the state departments of Ecology and Health, along with 360 volunteers, will track 71 beaches along Puget Sound and the Washington coast for bacterial pollution that could make people sick.
"Without the volunteers, we couldn't keep track of nearly this many beaches," said Ecology's Lynn Schneider, who is coordinating the beach monitoring program. "Their efforts will make swimming safer for everyone else."
The beaches will be tested weekly this summer, and the results will be posted on the Department of Health's Web site: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/WaterRec/beach/default.htm .
"We want people to enjoy the beach without getting sick," said Gary Fraser of the state Department of Health. "It is important to check the status of a beach's water quality to avoid swimming in contaminated waters."
Water-quality samples will be taken at least once a week from each beach until September 15. The results will be in a map-based format and posted online within 24 hours after the results are e-mailed or faxed by the state-accredited labs to the beaches program.
Computer users may click on the beach they're interested in, and information will pop up about the status of that beach's water quality.
The monitoring effort was made possible with funding from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Beaches being monitored this summer include:
Clallam County
Cline Spit County Park
Hobuck Beach (Makah Indian Tribal Land)
Hollywood Beach
Neah Bay Picnic Area (Makah Indian Tribal Land)
Salt Creek Recreation Area County Park (Crescent Beach)
Sooes Beach (Makah Indian Tribal
Land)
Grays Harbor County
Westhaven State Park, South Jetty
Westhaven State Park,
Halfmoon Bay
Westport - The Groins
Chance a La Mer / Ocean Shores Main Entrance
Island County
Cavalaro County Park
Dave Mackie Park
Oak Harbor City Beach Park
Oak Harbor Lagoon
Freeland County Park/Holmes Harbor
Jefferson County
Camp Parsons Boy Scout Camp
Fort Worden State Park
Irondale/Chimacum Beach Oak Bay County Park
King County
Alki Beach Park South
West Alki Beach
Burton Acres Park
Carkeek Park
Dash Point State Park
Discovery Park
Golden Gardens Park
Lincoln Park
Lowman Beach
Redondo County Park
Richey Viewpoint
Richmond Beach County Park
Saltwater State Park
Seacrest Park
Seahurst County Park
Kitsap County
Arness County Park Camp
Indianola Eagle Harbor Waterfront Park
Evergreen Park
Fay Bainbridge State Park
Harper County Park
Illahee State Park
Indianola Dock Lions Park
Pomeroy Park - Manchester Beach Scenic Beach State Park
Silverdale County Park
Mason County
Belfair State Park
Twanoh State Park
Potlatch State Park
Lilliwaup State Park
Pacific County
Cape Disappointment State Park
Pierce County
Dash Point County Park
Owen Beach - Point Defiance Ruston Way
Waterfront Park
Salters Point Park
Sunnyside Beach Park
Titlow Beach Park Wauna - Purdy Sand Spit
Skagit County
Bayview State Park
Snohomish County
Edmonds Underwater Park
Jetty Island
Howarth Park
Kayak Point County Park
Marine Beach South / Edmonds Picnic Point County Park
Thurston County
Thurston County Parcel
Tolmie State Park
Whatcom County
Birch Bay State Park
Birch Bay County Park
Cottonwood Beach
Larrabee State Park's Boat Launch
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Contacts: Rick Manugian, Department of Ecology, 360-407-6928 Lynn Schneider, Department of Ecology, 360-407-6543
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
