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Hidden value in beaches

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Feb 232012

Billy Jack and his grand-daughters Madison Burns, Darcy Brown and Tayla Wang and Sam the dog find plenty to do at Town Beach.

Tony Martin

MACKAY residents love to take advantage of the beautiful beaches our town boasts, especially as there are no immediate costs apart from petrol.

Beach-lover Billy Jack said he spent his days at Mackay Town Beach for little to no cost while searching for yabbies with his grand-daughters.

“We only live close by so it doesn't cost as much at all to get to this beach (Mackay Town Beach),” he said.

“We come to the beach most days and spend a few hours down here.

“We either spend our afternoons and weekends here (at Mackay Town Beach) or Mackay Harbour Beach.

“We take Sam (the dog) for a walk too.”

CQUniversity researchers Professor John Rolfe and Daniel Gregg surveyed 133 Mackay residents last year and found that Mackay beach visits were worth $95.7?million due to travel costs.

Professor Rolfe said the study showed residents were spending up to $30 each time they travelled to the beaches, specifically on petrol costs.

“Aussies love that our beaches are free of charge to use, but they don't often consider the huge economic value of beaches themselves,” Prof Rolfe said.

“The maintenance of beaches in good condition, with appropriate access and safety, are important goals for local authorities and other public bodies responsible for natural assets and public safety.

“However, it is difficult to judge how much funding needs to be allocated to protect and maintain beaches without some information on the recreation values involved.

He said Mackay Harbour beach was the most popular beach followed by Mackay Town Beach.

Reasons residents travelled to the beaches varied, Prof Rolfe said.

“But most people said they liked to walk on the beach, especially with their dogs, and have stinger nets present.”

BEACH VISITS

Trips to Cairns beaches cost $24 and Townsville beaches cost $33 The study showed more than 300,000 people visited Mackay beaches last year Residents aged 15-74 were surveyed

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Hidden value in beaches

Jersey Shore Best Beaches Contest

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Feb 222012

SANDY HOOK, N.J. (AP) – Mild winter temperatures may have many residents dreaming of summer days along the Jersey Shore.

Starting Tuesday they can cast ballots in the annual contest to name the 10 best beaches in New Jersey.

People can vote for their favorite stretch of the Jersey shore at the web site www.njtoptenbeaches.org .

Winners will be announced just before Memorial Day weekend.

The contest is run by the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium as a way of making people feel more connected to, and protective of, the state's 127-mile coastline.

The three beachfront municipalities comprising The Wildwoods are the reigning champions in the competition, having won in three of the past four years.

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Jersey Shore Best Beaches Contest

Free 4x4s training for better beaches on Straddie

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Feb 222012

FOUR-wheel drivers are invited to a free training session in April on North Stradbroke Island, where they will be given tips on safer four wheel driving in a way that also minimises impacts to the local environment.

With many of Straddie's beautiful beaches often accessed by four wheel drivers, having the right set of skills to ensure maximum safety for you, your car, and the environment is always important.

This training session being held on Saturday, April-21-22 , is part of the Better Beaches Program, a joint venture between the South East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Landcare Facilitator (hosted by local NRM group SEQ Catchments) and four wheel drive experts P7 Offroad.

Supported by federal government funding, the program will provide learnings on how to drive four wheel drive vehicles safely on the beach whilst causing minimal disruption to local marine and birdlife and native vegetation in a fun, family friendly environment.

The last training session of its kind on Stradbroke back in November 2011 was a success, attracting people across SEQ and proved to be an informative and fun session for the whole family.

Dave Darmody from P7 Offroad has over 16 years experience in delivering this type of training.

''One of the most important safety tips and which can also minimse the impacts four wheel drive vehicles have on the beach is having the correct tyre pressure,” Dave said.

“Other points the training will cover include reparation for beach driving, driving technique, and use of high and low range.”

''It is also important to acknowledge the role of the beach and foreshore, not just as a recreation area, but also as a habitat.

“We have found that drivers who exercise care for their vehicle and passengers by planning appropriate times to travel, and preparing themselves and their vehicles in accordance with best practice are also demonstrating all of the key beliefs of 'Treading Lightly' and caring for the area, and all of its users and inhabitants.''

Dave refers to the training as part of a 'grassroots movement' to encourage people to do the right thing and empower them to promote best practice driving skills with their friends and families. The Better Beaches program was developed with extensive input from the 4WD community, it is a program that is positive in nature, with practical advice and tips to see foreshore users better prepare themselves to enjoy our unique coastal environment.

Two fully funded four wheel drive training sessions will be held on North Stradbroke Island on April 21-22, starting 10am and 10.30am respectively until approximately 3pm.

RSVPs are essential. Maximum of 10 participant vehicles per event. First come, first served basis.

For more information about the Better Beaches Program, or to enrol contact Dave Darmody E:info@4x4training.com.au, ph 1300 725 440.

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Free 4x4s training for better beaches on Straddie

BootsnAll: 8 Great Party Beaches Around The World (PHOTOS)

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Feb 222012

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BootsnAll: 8 Great Party Beaches Around The World (PHOTOS)

Flash flooding hits northern beaches

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Feb 222012

More torrential rain caused flooding in Sydney last night, with emergency services called to a unit block in Newport where the carpark was submerged.

Flash flooding … Heavy rain hit the Northern Beaches area during the night. Picture: Bill Hearne Source: The Daily Telegraph

More heavy rain has hit Sydney overnight, causing flash flooding on the city's northern beaches.

Motorists are being urged to take care on their way to work this morning after more flash flooding on Sydney's northern beaches and further road closures across the state.

SYDNEY'S northern beaches were the latest area to be drenched with heavy rainfall and flash flooding overnight.

NSW Fire Brigade rushed to Foamcrest Avenue, Newport following reports of floods near a unit complex about 12.40am.

At the height of the deluge rainwater had risen above the wheel of a 4WD parked on the street.

Fire fighters worked to unblock drains filled with branches and leaves before using a petrol powered high volume pump to remove the water.

Residents in one unit were relocated for the night after rainwater flowed into their home.

Emergency services were also called to Pittwater Road, Church Point where another car park was flooded.

The RTA said this morning Oxford Falls Road at Oxford Falls was closed west of the Wakehurst Parkway and the Audley Weir in the Royal National Park remained closed.

There was surface flooding on a number of local roads and motorists were asked to exercise caution.

The RTA advises that as of 10.30am this morning the following roads are closed due to flooding:

The Mitchell Highway from Bourke to the Queensland border.
The Kamilaroi Highway from Walgett to Bourke
The Kamilaroi Highway is closed between Walgett and Burren Junction
The Castlereagh Highway between Walgett and Coonamble, only open to heavy vehicles and 4WD.
The Castlereagh Highway from Walgett to Queensland border.

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Flash flooding hits northern beaches

Dogs on beaches face new rules

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Feb 222012

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

The City of Cape Town is mulling new measures to control dogs on beaches. Photo: Henk Kruger

Measures controlling animals on city beaches are to be updated after a two-year-old was mauled by a Rottweiler at Clifton last month.

Councillor Beverley Schäfer put forward a motion to “clarify measures” on animal access to beaches at a Good Hope sub-council meeting on Monday.

In January, Meeka Riley, 2, was attacked by the unleashed dog at Cilfton First Beach. She was bitten four times on her leg and needed surgery.

The city said the dog’s owner, James Lech, had contravened by-laws, and fined him R1 500.

Schäfer’s motion, which will be sent to the community services portfolio committee, said current rules dated from 1992.

It called for a task team to review the city’s approach to all domestic animals on beaches.

This would inform an updated by-law. With the public’s help, ward councillors would help identify “use areas” for animals.

Once this was complete, a city-wide awareness programme would be launched.

“The by-law must incorporate financial penalties as well as community service with or in lieu of financial penalties imposed on transgressors,” the motion said.

There was also a report from community services to the sub-council, detailing interim measures until a new policy was formulated.

According to this report, pet access to “high-density” and popular beaches should be limited. It also aimed to reduce “confusing” and “unclear” legislation.

Sakhile Tsotsobe, from the community services department, told the sub-council that as part of the new regulations, updated signs would be put up at beaches.

“We understand the need to provide space, prioritise the needs of the bathers and public, while also making space for uninterrupted time for dogs,” Tsotsobe said.

The new policy would let people know which beaches were dog-friendly and where dogs would not be allowed.

One of the possibilities was that maps would be placed at beaches, informing the public of the regulations.

The sub-council suggested adding a warning to the signs, urging pet owners to clean up after their animals or face fines.

bronwynne.jooste@inl.co.za – Cape Argus

Voting set to start for best beaches in New Jersey

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Feb 202012

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Voting set to start for best beaches in New Jersey

Voting to start for best beaches in New Jersey

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Feb 202012

SANDY HOOK, N.J. – February 20, 2012 (WPVI) — Voting starts on Tuesday for the annual contest to name the 10 best beaches in New Jersey.

People can cast ballots for their favorite stretch of the Jersey shore at the web site www.njtoptenbeaches.org. Winners will be announced just before Memorial Day weekend.

The contest is run by the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium as a way of making people feel more connected to, and protective of, the state's 127-mile coastline.

The three beachfront municipalities comprising The Wildwoods are the reigning champions in the competition, having won in three of the past four years.

Get more Local/State »

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new jersey, local/state

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Voting to start for best beaches in New Jersey

Bird stewards increase the effectiveness of protected beaches

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Feb 202012

ScienceDaily (Feb. 20, 2012) — Bird stewards — individuals who police protected beaches and educate the public about the birds who inhabit it — greatly increase the effectiveness of protected beaches, an Eckerd College survey finds.

“During 28 four-hour surveys, we observed nearly nine times more intruders into protected areas when there was no bird steward, compared to when a steward was present,” says Beth Forys, professor of environmental science and biology at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, who completed the survey in a report to the National Fish & Wildlife Federation.

Human disturbance greatly disturbs migratory and overwintering shorebirds, such as the Red Knot, a robin-sized shorebird whose numbers have significantly declined in the past decade.

“While most Red Knots migrate from breeding grounds in the Arctic to wintering grounds at the tip of South America, a small portion of the population overwinters in Florida,” Forys explains. “To make the trip to the Arctic to breed, Red Knots must have enough energy, and over-harvesting of their prey combined with disturbance may be impeding their ability to gain enough weight to make the long trip.”

To better understand what management measures could help Red Knots in their Florida wintering grounds, Forys conducted the study to see if the endangered bird would be able to forage and rest more if a portion of the beach were protected.

Frequency and sources of disturbance to Red Knots were determined both for a year-round, symbolically-fenced, “protected area” on a county park beach and for three municipal beaches without fenced-off protected areas for shorebirds. Differences between rates of human-related disturbances per hour of observation within the fenced-off protected area versus the unprotected beaches were statistically significant.

Dr. Forys' field research then evaluated frequency of human intrusions into a fenced-off shorebird protection area with and without a bird steward present at the boundary of the protected area.

“A bird steward is an individual who wears a labeled, brightly colored vest and who educates the public about birds while asking them not to enter a protected area,” she says. “If people entered the protected area, the bird steward would ask them to leave.”

“While relatively few people entered the posted area, the presence of bird stewards effectively decreased that number,” she says.

“This two-year project provides strong evidence for the importance of establishing symbolically-fenced beach areas attended by bird stewards that together minimize human intrusion and disturbance to shorebirds,” Forys says.

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Bird stewards increase the effectiveness of protected beaches

4 Saipan beaches red-flagged

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Feb 202012

4 Saipan beaches red-flagged

The Division of Environment Quality has red-flagged the PauPau Beach, American Memorial Park, Micro Beach, and Hafadai Hotel Beach and is advising the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.

DEQ said that samples collected from these locations had excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci) that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water. Water samples were taken from 38 locations on Saipan this week. For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500. (DEQ)

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4 Saipan beaches red-flagged

Golfers tee off today on Presque Isle's beaches (Updated: 10:40 a.m.)

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Feb 192012

No plaid shorts, but lots of knit caps, covered the early golfers on Presque Isle's beaches this morning.

The second annual Joe Root's Frostbite Open got under way about 9 a.m., with the outdoor temperature nearing 30 degrees.

“It's fun and it's for a good charity,” one of the first golfers, Ted Weed, said.

The golf fundraiser for Presque Isle State Park is expected to continue on its beaches until about 4 p.m. The event was moved to the sand because Presque Isle Bay, where the 2011 open was held, isn't frozen this year.

Organizers and golfers said the beach course brings a different set of challenges than the ice, on which balls bounced and rolled.

Spectators are welcome to watch foursomes as they try to avoid obstacles like sticks and stones, 15-foot pieces of driftwood, ice dunes, at least one tire and whatever else has washed up on the sand.

Elmer Keisel, the owner of Joe Root's Grill, suggested the event. His restaurant and the tournament are named for a hermit who lived on the peninsula.

Keisel said the Frostbite Open is a way to raise money for the park, let people know there are things to do there year round and get people out of their houses in winter.

“It's a great cause,” he said.

See Monday's Erie Times-News and GoErie.com for more coverage.

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Golfers tee off today on Presque Isle's beaches (Updated: 10:40 a.m.)

Cleaning Santa Cruz-area beaches a monthly chore for Save Our Shores

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Feb 192012

SANTA CRUZ – Santa Cruz resident Mike Houck filled a plastic bag with old beer bottles, chunks of painted wood, bits of Styrofoam, a couple of syringes and lots of cigarette butts by strolling up and down Seabright State Beach for an hour on Saturday.

He was among the nearly 150 people who combed the beach for trash as part of Save Our Shores monthly beach cleanup. The cleanups take place on the third Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon in Santa Cruz County.

“I'm a surfer, and I love the beach,” Houck, 40, said. “I want it to be clean for the community. I just do it so I lead by example.”

Save Our Shores, a nonprofit dedicated to taking care of Monterey Bay and its wildlife, removes an average of 38,000 pounds of pollution from beaches and waterways each year.

Organizers say the cleanups are a good way to educate the community about the detrimental impact on the environment that can come from plastic bags, soda cans and other trash left on the beach.

They hope to inspire beachgoers to pack non-plastic food and drink containers that can be reused.

“We'd like people to bring their own cups so they're not generating stuff that ends up on the beach,” said Martel Anderson, a Save Our Shores board member. “We find a lot of plastic grocery bags, which gets tangled or ingested by marine life. It's pretty much a death sentence at that point.”

About 20 students from Homestead High School in Cupertino participated in Saturday's cleanup to help fulfill their school's community service requirement.

Senior Abha Gokhale, 17, considers herself a staunch steward of the enviroment.

“Especially after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, I think we need to make people realize how important it is to have clean beaches,” Gokhale said. “It's good for the wildlife too.”

Save Our Shores volunteer Steve Pleich said he hopes one day the cleanups won't be necessary.

“The idea is to eventually put us out of work,” Pleich said.

The next beach cleanup is scheduled March 17 at Davenport Main Beach. Go to www.saveourshores.org for details.

Follow Sentinel reporter Shanna McCord on Twitter @scnewsmom

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Cleaning Santa Cruz-area beaches a monthly chore for Save Our Shores

R.I. bill proposes smoking ban at public beaches, parks

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Feb 172012

On a fall day in 2010 nearly 2,100 volunteers scoured Rhode Island’s beaches for litter. They carried off syringes, glass bottles and refrigerators – and 43,600 cigarette butts. A Rhode Island lawmaker is hoping to reduce the trash by making the Ocean State the first to ban smoking at all public beaches. State Representative Richard Morrison’s proposal would also apply to public parks, playgrounds, and pedestrian plazas.

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Fla. beaches: Surfing to volleyball, paddle tennis to mullet toss

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Feb 172012

The Florida beaches are always good for a relaxing lounge in the sand, but sometimes, you want more than a long walk.

The 825 miles of Florida beaches offer a diversity of activities to suit every taste, from the expected (beach volleyball tournaments, surfing contests) to the unexpected (a “mullet toss” in northwest Florida, a “paddle tennis” tournament in St. Augustine).

Here’s our roundup of just about everything under the sun.

Northwest Florida

In Franklin County, which boasts St. George Island and Carrabelle Beach, the sea and sand are just two of the attractions. St. George hosts the region’s largest chili cook-off in March. The more adventurous can return on the second Saturday in June to see how are far they can fling the mullet. Learn more at saltyflorida.com.

In Port St. Joe, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key and surrounding waters, fishing tournaments from April through July lure anglers and sports fishing fanatics of all ages. For more information, visit kidswinfishing.com and saltwaterclassic.com.

In Destin, the two-month long World Championship Cobia Tournament attracts more than 15,000 competitors. On shore, the Destin 50 Beach Ultra Marathon is a February weekend of running — from five miles to 50 — and benefits the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. St. Joe Beach hosts the Beach Blast Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon in late April.

Those breezes coming off the Gulf in April do more than keep sunbathers cool. The 8th Annual Kitty Hawk Kites Beach Kite Festival on Okaloosa Island is a must-see. Dolphin watching is also a spectator sport.

They say you hear the story of the ocean if you put a shell to your ear, or come to Cape San Blas in early March for the storytellers at Shells and Tales.

Perdido Key celebrates a 2,000-year-old tradition each April with dragon boat races. Teams of rowers compete in colorful wooden boats.

On Fort Walton Beach, Burning Up the Beaches is a May weekend fundraiser of cars, cruising and parties. In the Gulf and on Choctawhatchee Bay, the first-person adrenaline rushes include parasailing, pontooning, waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing, kiteboarding and jet skiing. Visit emeraldcoastfl.com.

Finally, the Florida Lighthouse Challenge invites energetic history buffs to visit and or climb four lighthouses in northwest Florida over two days: Cape St. George Light on St. George Island, Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle, St. Marks Lighthouse in St. Marks and Cape San Blas

Lighthouse on Cape San Blas.

Gulf Coast

Pine Island Beach, Spring Hill – One Saturday a month, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., dogs and their owners can spend a morning playing fetch on the sand or splashing in the water at Alfred McKethan Park’s Pine Island Beach. Call 352-754-4031 or visit hernandocounty.us/parks_rec/ for details.

Clearwater Beach – Adventurous types can try parasailing with Sky Screamer Parasail or, for a more grounded experience, there’s a paddleboard and kayak rental shop behind Shephard’s Beach Resort. Paddlers can rent single or tandem kayaks, or they can take a guided paddleboard tour. Visit clearwaterbeach.com.

St. Pete Beach – At the well-known TradeWinds Island Resort, guests and visitors can play a game of cornhole, horseshoes or bocce ball on the beach or gather a group for volleyball. Beachgoers can also cruise the coastline in a WaveRunner or see dolphins playing on a Dolphin Watch cruise.

Fort De Soto Beach – Touted as one of America’s best beaches, seven miles of waterfront at Fort De Soto Park include almost three miles of white, sandy beach and waterside sites for camping. Treasure hunters can obtain permits for metal detection at the park’s headquarters. Fort De Soto also has a dog beach, plus two fenced-in areas near the beach for large and small dogs with water stations. Learn more at pinellascounty.org/parks.

Anna Maria Island/Bradenton – In addition to kayaking, parasailing and Segway tours, the area offers a less conventional way of enjoying the waterfront: on horseback. Riders can trot along the shores of Palma Sola Bay before taking their horses into the saltwater for a swim. Visit beachhorses.com.

Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota – Born from a spontaneous event that started with a few locals banging on bongos, the community drum circle at Siesta Key Beach (another of Dr. Beach’s favorite places) gathers every Sunday about an hour before sunset, just south of the main pavilion on Siesta Public Beach. The area also hosts a number of volleyball tournaments, usually held in late spring. Cyclers can rent a beach cruiser from Siesta Sports Rentals to explore the coastline. In the summer months, a one-mile run for kids takes place every week at 6:30 p.m. Nearby, runs for grown-ups are held on Wednesday nights at the Venice Fishing Pier. Learn more at sarasotafl.com.

Englewood Beach/Port Charlotte Beach – Kids 5 to 12 can learn how to fish the first Saturday of every month at Englewood. Children and their parents bring their own rod, reel and tackle box and learn about catch and release and fishing safety for $10. For the adults, Port Charlotte holds occasional sunset cocktail parties, and families can participate in a community beach cleanup a couple times a month. Visit charlottecountyfl.com or call 941-681-3742.

Sanibel Island – Thought to be one of the best shelling beaches in the world, Sanibel and Captiva islands’ Shellabration in March includes demonstrations, shell displays, food and live music.

Tigertail Public Beach, Marco Island – Sand sculptors of all types can join in the annual July 4 sandcastle-building contest, open to everyone. Visit paradisecoast.com.

South Florida

Palm Beach

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Fla. beaches: Surfing to volleyball, paddle tennis to mullet toss

RI may snuff out smoking on its public beaches

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Feb 172012

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—On a fall day in 2010 nearly 2,100 volunteers scoured Rhode Island's beaches for litter. They carried off syringes, glass bottles and refrigerators — and 43,600 cigarette butts.

A Rhode Island lawmaker is hoping to reduce the trash by making the Ocean State the first to ban smoking at all public beaches. Rep. Richard Morrison's proposal would also apply to public parks, playgrounds and pedestrian plazas.

“The state has the right to protect the health of our citizens,” said Morrison, D-Bristol. “I'm not trying to take away anyone's rights, but we no longer allow smoking in the workplace, in restaurants, on buses. I don't think it's a good idea to allow it where families and young children are.”

Most states now restrict smoking in indoor public areas, and cities including New York and San Diego prohibit smoking at community beaches. Maine bans smoking at its state beaches, but the prohibition doesn't extend to local beaches.

Rhode Island's statewide smoking ban was enacted in 2005 and covers bars, restaurants and almost all other indoor public locations. If Morrison's measure passes, Rhode Island would be the first state to outlaw smoking at all public beaches, according to the American Lung Association.

There's no vote scheduled for the legislation. No group testified in opposition at a recent hearing on the proposal, though state environmental officials expressed some concern about how they would enforce a smoking ban.

Opponents are easier to find outside the Statehouse. East Providence resident Richard Haynes said proposals to expand the state's smoking ban go too far.

“I don't see how people can get cancer from a cigarette that's smoked in the open air,” he said as he puffed on a cigarette in Kennedy Plaza, a busy outdoor area in downtown Providence. “I think it's getting a little ridiculous.”

Smoker Tarrah Nickerson of West Warwick, however, said she understands that many Rhode Islanders would like to keep tobacco smoke out of their beaches or parks. She said lawmakers should consider designated smoking areas at state beaches.

Environmental groups are lining up to support the proposed ban, noting that cigarette butts are the most common type of litter found on beaches and in state waterways.

Besides being an eyesore, cigarette filters contain concentrated amounts of chemicals contained in tobacco smoke, making them hazardous to humans and wildlife that may come into contact with them, according to Eugenia Marks of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, one of several groups that participated in the 2010 coastal cleanup.

“There are instances where toddlers pick them up and put them in their mouths,” she said. “Animals may ingest them. In addition to the litter issues and the health issues, it's an issue of ocean health.”

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RI may snuff out smoking on its public beaches

Beaches: Supes Want Update to Those Strict Anti-Football Beach Rules

Beaches Comments Off

Feb 162012

Wednesday, February 15, 2012, by Neal Broverman

Typically unflappable beachgoers lost their cool last week when an erroneous news item went viral–it claimed a new ordinance bans frisbees and footballs at LA County beaches and mandates that holes dug to China be fewer than 18 inches deep. Breaking the rules could lead to a $1,000 ticket, according to the story (which ran on CBS LA and which we picked up–sorry!). The truth was that frisbees and footballs were illegal before the new ordinance, which now allows their use during winter months (the fine was also $100, not a grand). It also oks sailboarding, kiteboarding, and paddleboarding (no word on the sand holes). All that outrage over a rule that no one knew existed until it was relaxed paid off–the LA Daily News reports that County Supes Don Knabe and Michael Antonovich ordered Department of Beaches and Harbor director Santos Kreimann to the Board of Supes meeting yesterday to clarify the new ordinance. Knabe wants DBH to rewrite the rules to “clearly state that football, Frisbee and similar sports are OK, unless the safety of other beachgoers is in danger or a lifeguard tells them to stop,” particularly since “no tickets have been issued in 40 years.” He said that he spoke with lifeguards who agreed the rules need an update. The Supes unanimously voted in support of a change but the ordinance will still have to be rewritten and voted on in its new form.
· L.A. County updating beach rules on Frisbees and footballs [WS]
· Fun Still Forbidden at County Beaches [Curbed LA]

Excerpt from:
Beaches: Supes Want Update to Those Strict Anti-Football Beach Rules

U.S. to cut funds for water testing at beaches

Beaches Comments Off

Feb 162012

Health testing at beaches in California and across the nation is at risk of being cut under a plan to eliminate federal funds for monitoring whether the water is too contaminated to swim in.

Citing the “difficult financial climate,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in its budget request this week that it would do away with $10 million in grants it gives each year to state and local agencies in coastal and Great Lakes states to test for tainted water.

“While beach monitoring continues to be important to protect human health and especially sensitive individuals,” the EPA said in an emailed statement, “states and local governments now have the technical expertise and procedures to continue beach monitoring without federal support.”

But state and local officials have struggled to pay for health testing along California's busy coastline in recent years, and water quality advocates worry that swimmers and surfers will be at even greater risk of getting sick if the federal funds evaporate.

The proposed cuts come as the agency is drafting new nationwide beach water quality standards, which have been panned by environmental groups as being even weaker than the 1986 rules they replace.

“It feels like a double whammy to beachgoers,” said Kirsten James, water quality director for Santa Monica environmental group Heal the Bay. “The EPA is on multiple levels telling them they are swimming at their own risk every time they go to the beach.”

The EPA has paid $111 million for beach water quality testing over the last dozen years through the grant program authorized by Congress in the 2000 BEACH Act. “As a result, the number of monitored beaches has more than tripled to more than 3,600 in 2010,” the agency announced last month.

Swimming in polluted water exposes people to pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal illness, diarrhea, vomiting, skin rashes and ear, eye and staph infections.

California is eligible for about $500,000 each year, second only to Florida, and uses the EPA funds to supplement beach water monitoring up and down the coast.

“The cut could reduce the amount of testing unless other funding sources are found,” Judie Panneton, a spokeswoman for the state water board, wrote in an email.

State and county budget cuts have in recent years led California beaches to scale back testing, though a law signed last year by Gov. Jerry Brown restored funding at the state level, giving the water board authority to provide up to $1.8 million a year to pay for more consistent testing at hundreds of beaches.

Environmental groups said they would press the EPA to restore money for beach monitoring and strengthen water quality standards as they try to determine which states might see their testing programs curtailed without federal funds.

“The potential is that states will decrease the number of beaches they monitor, the frequency or cut back on resources they use to notify the public about conditions at the beach,” said Jon Devine, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council's water program.

“We'd likely see a reduction in information about an important public health concern,” he added.

tony.barboza@latimes.com

Federal funds for health testing at beaches to be eliminated

Beaches Comments Off

Feb 162012

Health testing at beaches in California and across the nation is at risk of being cut back under a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plan to eliminate federal funds for monitoring whether the water is too contaminated to swim in.

Citing the “difficult financial climate,” the agency said in its budget request this week that it would do away with $10 million in grants it gives each year to state and local agencies in coastal and Great Lakes states to test for tainted water.

“While beach monitoring continues to be important to protect human health and especially sensitive individuals,” the EPA said in a emailed statement, “states and local governments now have the technical expertise and procedures to continue beach monitoring without federal support.”

The proposed cuts come as the agency is drafting new nationwide beach water quality standards, which have been panned by environmental groups as weaker at protecting swimmers and surfers from illness than the 1986 rules they replace.

The EPA has paid for $111 million worth of beach water quality testing over the last dozen years through the grant program authorized by Congress in the 2000 BEACH Act. “As a result, the number of monitored beaches has more than tripled to more than 3,600 in 2010,” the agency announced last month.

The grants slated for elimination pay for local health and environmental protection agencies to conduct water quality tests and post warning signs or even close the beach when bacteria levels indicate the water is too contaminated. Swimming in polluted water exposes people to pathogens that can can cause gastrointestinal illness, diarrhea, vomiting, skin rashes and ear, eye and staph infections.

California is eligible for about $500,000 each year, second only to Florida, and uses the EPA funds to supplement beach water monitoring up and down the coast.

“The cut could reduce the amount of testing unless other funding sources are found when the funds take effect,” Judie Panneton, a spokeswoman for the State Water Board, wrote in an email.

State and county budget cuts have in recent years led California beaches to scale back monitoring, putting swimmers, surfers and divers at greater risk of getting sick. A law signed last year by Gov. Jerry Brown restored funding at the state level, giving the State Water Board authority to provide up to $1.8 million a year to pay for more consistent testing at hundreds of beaches.

ALSO:

L.A. air pollution may increase risk of stroke

Football-and-Frisbee beach furor rocks L.A. County

Obama budget contains nearly $35 billion for passenger rail

–Tony Barboza

Photo: Irina Levi walks under the Santa Monica Pier in 2010. Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times

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Federal funds for health testing at beaches to be eliminated

Bacteria advisory lifted at Broward beaches

Beaches Comments Off

Feb 152012

Swimming advisories at several South Florida beaches have been lifted by the Broward County Health Department.

The beaches in the advisory were: Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Custer Street and Harrison Street in Hollywood, and the pier at Dania Beach.

The advisories were put into effect during the weekend after samples showed high levels of bacteria in the water. New water samples were analyzed Tuesday.

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Bacteria advisory lifted at Broward beaches

LA County Updates Ordinance On Ball, Frisbee Throwing At Beaches

Beaches Comments Off

Feb 152012

(credit: Jeff Brass/Getty Images)

CLARIFICATION (2/14): In an article posted on CBSLA.com on Feb. 2, we mistakenly reported that the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors would issue fines of $1,000 to beach-goers who participated in any non-beach ball activities on county beaches.

In fact, county supervisors had loosened policies on playing with footballs and Frisbees on the beach. We regret any confusion this report may have caused.

For more information, visit the official website for L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yarovslavsky.

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — When you head down to the beach for a little fun this summer, county officials want you to know about some updated rules.

The Board of Supervisors this week agreed to lift an all-out ban on playing with footballs, other balls and Frisbees on the beach, according to a media statement released by the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors.

The update means that beach-goers may toss balls and Frisbees with Lifeguards’ permission on beaches in Los Angeles County between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

However citations, may be given out to individuals who ignore lifeguards’ orders.

According to Lucy Kim, from the LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors, a first-time offender will have to pay a $100 fine. For a second offense, beach-goers will face a $200 fine. Three or more infractions within one year will result in a $500 fine, Kim said.

The new ball and Frisbee tossing rules will be relaxed during the winter off-season.

The ordinance also prohibits digging any hole deeper than 18 inches into the sand, except where permission is granted for film and TV production services only.

» Read The Updated Ordinance

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LA County Updates Ordinance On Ball, Frisbee Throwing At Beaches

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Federal funds for health testing at beaches to be eliminated

Bacteria advisory lifted at Broward beaches

LA County Updates Ordinance On Ball, Frisbee Throwing At Beaches

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