I. WATER QUALITY

What water quality standard is used to assess beach water quality? (Check all that apply)

o  Single sample criterion: _____ CFU E.coli/100ml

o  Geometric mean criterion: _____ CFU E. coli/100ml based on ____ samples/month

o  Other (please explain):

How many times did samples collected exceed the standard in the past recreational season?

o  0

o  1 - 2

o  3 - 4

o  5 - 6

o  more than 6

Number of beach closures (on an annual basis):

o  0

o  1 - 2

o  3 - 4

o  5 - 6

o  more than 6

Number of beach advisories (on an annual basis):

o  0

o  1 - 2

o  3 - 4

o  5 - 6

o  more than 6

Algae in water and on the beach (rate by severity)

o  0 (absent)

o  1

o  2

o  3

o  4 (infested)

Harmful algal blooms (number of occurrences annually)

o  0 (absent)

o  1

o  2

o  3

o  4

II. SAND QUALITY

Beach width

o  Narrow (<30 ft.)

o  30-100 ft.

o  100-200 ft.

o  Very wide (>200 ft.)

Oil and tar balls washed up on the beach (number of occurrences annually)

o  0

o  1

o  2

o  3

o  4

Are domestic animals allowed on the beach (e.g., dogs)?

o  Yes

o  No

If yes, are disposal bags and trash cans provided?

If yes, is there someone patrolling the area to enforce proper clean-up?

Trash, litter, and glass, etc. at the start of the day*.

o  A (rare)

o  B

o  C

o  D (much)

*See note at the end of criteria section.

Is a beach sweeper used (please describe frequency)?

Beach material

o  Fine sand

o  Medium sand

o  Coarse sand

o  Cobbles

o  Rocky

o  Muddy

Bathing area bottom conditions

o  Fine sand

o  Medium sand

o  Coarse sand

o  Cobbles

o  Rocky/Muddy

Well-kept grounds/promenades or natural environment

o  Yes

o  No

III. SAFETY

Is a public warning system in place to promptly alert the public in the event that the beach becomes unsafe (e.g. inclement weather conditions), unsanitary, or unhealthy in any manner?

o  Yes

o  No

Are recordings kept of emergencies that happen?

o  Yes

o  No

Rip currents

o  Never present

o  Occasionally present

o  Frequently present

Any drownings (on an annual basis)?

o  Yes

o  No

If yes, provide information. __________________________

Shorebreaks (large waves breaking directly on the beach)

o  Never present

o  Occasionally present

o  Frequently present

Any major neck injuries or deaths (on an annual basis)?

o  Yes

o  No

If yes, provide information:

Lifeguards at beach (strongly recommended, but not required)

o  Present

o  Absent

If not, is there adequate safety equipment on the beach?

o  Yes

o  No

If unguarded, are adequate warnings/enclosures in place regarding potential hazards (e.g., rips, beach construction, etc.)?

o  Yes

o  No

Mosquito or other pest outbreaks requiring major spraying (i.e., West Nile Virus)

o  Yes

o  No

            If yes, please provide information:

Longshore currents (during the bathing season)

o  Weak

o  Moderate

o  Strong

Beach slope (underwater)

o  Gently sloping bottom

o  Moderately sloping bottom

o  Steeply sloping bottom

o  Presence of deep holes or drop offs

Cases of swimmer’s itch reported (on an annual basis)

o  None

o  Some

If you answered some, please provide more information on severity of problem:

Public safety (e.g., pickpockets, crime)

o  No problems

o  Occasional incidents

o  A problem area

Is there public information (e.g. local ordinances, laws, safety education) prominently posted with phone numbers and directions to the nearest life/safety services?

o  Hospital

o  Police

o  Coast Guard

o  Local Authority

Is there a public information center or lifeguard base where information may be shown?

o  Yes

o  No

Is first aid available on the beach?

o  Yes

o  No

 Are there any storm water overflows or sewage pipes nearby?

o  Yes

o  No

If yes, do any discharge at the beach?

IV. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & MANAGEMENT

Healthy Beaches should promote peaceful and protective coexistance of sensitive plant/wildlife habitats with human recreation (e.g. turtle nesting; marked zones for swimmers, surfers and motorized craft).

Can you estimate the number of people in the water at peak period? 

Vegetation nearby (i.e., grasses, trees, dunes)*

o  None

o  Few

o  Many

 *These natural environments help prevent erosion and lessen storm damage

Any exotic or invasive species present?

o  Yes

o  No

If yes, please list species:

If sensitive areas exist, for example dunes, are facilities present such as boardwalks?

o  Yes

o  No

 Presence of seawalls, riprap, and concrete/rubble that replaces natural habitats

o  None

o  Few

o  Many

Degree of urban development:

o  Pristine/wild

o  A few buildings

o  Many structures, but not offensive

o  Very urban, overdeveloped

Are there “Misfits” present, such as a nuclear power station, offshore dumping

o  Yes

o  No

If yes, please describe:

Off-road vehicles (during the beach season)

o  None present

o  Few present

o  Common

Intensity of beach use

o  Ample open space

o  Many people

o  Crowded

o  Overcrowded

Can you give an estimate of beach use for the peak period? 

Is there a zonation system in place? For example, bathing, surfing, nesting species, etc.?

o  Yes

o  No

Has the beach a history of erosion problems?

o  Yes

o  No

If yes, can you give a figure as to how much per annum?______________________

V. SERVICES

The facilities at a Healthy Beach must be kept clean and safe at all times.

Bathroom facilities availability

o  Present

o  Absent

If present, what is their condition?

o  Clean, good condition

o  Dirty, unkempt

Are there facilities for people with disabilities?

o  Yes

o  No

Shower facilities availability

o  Present

o  Absent

If present, what is their condition?

o  Clean, good condition

o  Dirty, unkempt

Snack bars/restaurants

o  Present

o  Absent

Trash receptacles

o  Available

o  None available

Recycling receptacles

o  Available

o  None available

Parking availability

o  Parking available

o  Difficult to find parking

o  Cars turned away

If cars turned away, how many days in the year does this occur?

Drinking water for public - clearly marked and protected within walking
distance from the beach

o  Yes

o  No

Public telephones - working and within walking distance from beach

o  Yes

o  No

Beach Access

o  Good access

o  Limited access

o  Access a problem

Access for people with disabilities (e.g. ramp)

o  Yes

o  No

Provide a short paragraph describing why your beach is unique and should be one of the Top 10 Great Lakes Beaches (250 word limit).
Litter Categories for grading a beach (in no particular order)

Reference: EA/NALG, (2000), "Assessment of Aesthetic Quality of Coastal and Bathing Beaches", Monitoring Protocol and Classification Scheme, UK Environmental Agency.

Procedure:

1. Find an access point - if possible the main one - to the beach.

2. Select points fifty yards either side of the access point and stretching from the high tide waterline to the backshore.

3. Count the number of litter items within this area for each of the above seven categories.

4. For each row (category), circle the box associated with the counted number.

5. Take the letter grade of the furthermost (to the right) circled box and enter it into the sand quality sectional box.