Which Beaches to Monitor?, April 13

Agency invites public comment on proposed locations through May 8* The Oregon Health Authority’s Beach Monitoring Program invites public comment on a list of beaches it is proposing to monitor this summer. The program works with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to determine beaches that need monitoring based on several established criteria. These criteria include pollution hazards present, previous beach monitoring data that identify water quality concerns, type and amount of beach use, and public input. OHA routinely re-evaluates beaches and sampling locations to ensure available resources best protect public health. Based on the program’s evaluation criteria, the proposed beaches for 2017 monitoring season are: Seaside Beach, Clatsop County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/seasidebeach.pdf   Cannon Beach, Clatsop County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/cannonbeach.pdf   Tolovana State Park Beach, Clatsop County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/tolovanabeach.pdf   Short Sand State Park Beach, Tillamook County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/shortsandbeach.pdf  Rockaway Beach, Tillamook County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/rockawaybeach.pdf  Twins Rocks Beach, Tillamook County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/twinrocks.pdf  Neskowin State Park Beach, Tillamook County: https://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/OBMP%20Neskowin%20Beach%20sites%20without%20north%20site%2032132%202017.png   D River State Park Beach, Lincoln County:   http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/driver.pdf   Beverly Beach, Lincoln County: https://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/OBMP%20Beverly%20Beach%20sites%202017.png   Agate State Park Beach, Lincoln County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/agatebeach.pdf  Nye Beach, Lincoln County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/nyebeach.pdf  Seal Rock State Park Beach, Lincoln County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/sealrock.pdf  Heceta Beach, Lane County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/hecetabeach.pdf  Bastendorff Beach, Coos County: https://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/OBMP%20Bastendorff%20Beach.png  Sunset Bay State Park Beach, Coos County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/sunsetbaybeach.pdf  Hubbard Creek Beach, Curry County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/hubbardcreekbeach.pdf  Harris Beach State Park, Curry County: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/harrisbeach.pdf  Crissey Field State Park, Curry County: https://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/OBMP%20Crissey%20Field%20SP%20sites%202017.png  A copy of the 2017 beach evaluation report is available on the OHA website at https://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/DEQ17-LAB-0008-TR.pdf.  The proposed list includes some of the most frequently visited beaches in Oregon, as well as beaches where the program has found bacteria present, or beaches for which local partners and the public have requested monitoring due to potential pollution concerns.  “We do our best to align program resources to monitor as many beaches as possible,” said Tara Chetock, program coordinator. “However, with more than 360 miles of coastline, more than 90 beaches and just one full-time sampling technician, we cannot monitor them all.” The list of the 2016 monitored beaches and sampling schedule is available on the program’s website at www.healthoregon.org/beach.  OHA will accept public comments and suggestions on the proposed 2017 beaches through May 8. Comments can be submitted by email at beach.health@state.or.us or by calling 971-673-0400.