(Washington, DC) – The Clean Beaches Coalition today released its annual list of beaches which have been officially certified as clean, healthy and environmentally well managed. This year beaches in nineteen states and U.S. territories, including American Samoa, California, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, are on the list. (See complete list below).

For generations, American families have traveled to the shore for the simple pleasure of playing on sandy beaches, boating on the open seas, or swimming with our children. Every year Americans make over 2 billion visits to ocean, gulf, and inland beaches. Beach recreation and tourism are estimated to contribute over $640 billion annually to the U.S. economy. However, the recent devastation in the Gulf of Mexico has crystallized the importance of clean beaches.

The Blue Wave program is the first national environmental certification for beaches. The Blue Wave certification process is designed to help maintain robust, healthy, and vibrant beaches
Now in its 11th year, the program is recognized as a reliable benchmark for well-maintained beaches.

2010 BLUE WAVE BEACHES

Florida (South Atlantic)
Hollywood Beach
Dania Beach
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Pompano Beach
Deerfield Beach

Florida (Gulf Coast)
Venice Beach
Siesta Key Beach
Caspersen Beach
Lido Beach

Florida (North Atlantic)
Jacksonville Beach

Florida (Pan Handle)
Inlet Beach
Rosemary Beach
Seacrest
Seagrove
Seaside
Watercolor
Grayton
Blue Mountain
Santa Rosa
Dune Allen
Sandestin
Seascape
Miramar
Alys Beach
DeerLake State Park
Grayton Beach State Park
Topsail Hill State Preserve
Johnson Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore

Florida (South Atlantic)
Hollywood Beach
Dania Beach
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Pompano Beach
Deerfield Beach

Florida (Gulf Coast)
Venice Beach
Siesta Key Beach
Caspersen Beach
Lido Beach

Florida (North Atlantic)
Jacksonville Beach

Florida (Pan Handle)
Inlet Beach
Rosemary Beach
Seacrest
Seagrove
Seaside
Watercolor
Grayton
Blue Mountain
Santa Rosa
Dune Allen
Sandestin
Seascape
Miramar
Alys Beach
DeerLake State Park
Grayton Beach State Park
Topsail Hill State Preserve
Johnson Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore

American Samoa
Ofu Beach, National Park of American Samoa
Olosega Beach, National Park of American Samoa

California
Drakes Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore
Wildcat Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore
Limantour Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore
Crescent Beach, Redwood National Park
Gold Bluff Beach, Redwood National Park
Enderts Beach, Redwood National Park

Hawaii
Keauhou Landing, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Halape Shelter, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Ka’ aha Beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Indiana
Kemil Beach, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Lake View Beach, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Mount Baldy Beach, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
West Beach, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Maryland
North Ocean Beach, Assateague Island National Seashore

Maine
Sand Beach, Acadia National Park
Echo Beach, Acadia National Park

Massachusetts
Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore
Herring Cove Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore
Marconi Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore
Nauset Light Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore
Race Point Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore

Michigan
Pere Marquette Beach
Esch Beach, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
South Manitou Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sand Pont Beach, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

North Carolina
North Core Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore
South Core Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore
Shackleford Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore

New Jersey
North Beach, Sandy Hook National Seashore
N. Gunnison Beach, Sandy Hook National Seashore

New York
Sunken Forest Beach, Fire Island National Seashore
Watch Hill Beach, Fire Island National Seashore

Oregon
Cannon Beach

South Carolina
Isle of Palms

Texas
Rockport Beach
Malaquite Beach, Padre Island National Seashore
Little Shell Beach, Padre Island National Seashore
Big Shell Beach, Padre Island National Seashore

U.S. Virgin Islands
Trunk Bay, Virgin Islands National Seashore
Maho, Virgin Islands National Seashore
Hawksnest, Virgin Islands National Seashore

Virginia
Tom’s Cove Beach, Assateague Island National Seashore

Washington
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park
Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park

Wisconsin
Bradford Beach Milwaukee
North Beach Racine
Julian Bay Beach, Apostle Island National Lakeshore
Little Sand Bay Beach, Apostle Island National Lakeshore
Meyers Beach, Apostle Island National Lakeshore

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