![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Louisiana Summary: 2006 Swimming Season
May 2007
- Introduction
- 2006 Summary Results
- For More Information
- Print version (PDF) of this document (581 K, 2 pages, About PDF)
- Raw data (MS-Excel) for Louisiana (60 K)
Introduction
Figure 1. Louisiana coastal counties with 2006 monitored beach data.
The BEACH Act of 2000 requires that coastal and Great Lakes states and territories report to EPA on beach monitoring and notification data for their coast recreation waters. The BEACH Act defines coastal recreation waters as the Great Lakes and coastal waters (including coastal estuaries) that states, territories, and authorized tribes officially recognize or designate for swimming, bathing, surfing, or similar activities in the water.
This fact sheet summarizes beach monitoring and notification data submitted to EPA by the state of Louisiana for the 2006 swimming season.
Louisiana's BEACH Program was initiated as a pilot program in 2004, monitoring six sample stations at three state parks. In 2005, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH), with its partners, expanded the Program from the 2004 pilot to near full implementation, monitoring 26 of the 28 sample locations identified for monitoring.
However, in August 2005, the monitoring program was terminated due to Hurricane Katrina, which directly impacted all monitored sites on the eastern half of the state and the program overall. After the hurricane, those beaches were either inaccessible or debris covered and recreational use was non-existent. Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, beach sites on the western half of the state were directly impacted by Hurricane Rita, rendering the remaining beaches inaccessible for the balance of the 2005 swimming season. Because of the lingering impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on recreational beach use during 2006, 18 of 28 sample sites were reassigned to a lower monitoring Tier for the 2006 monitoring season. During 2006, beach signs destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were replaced, the capacity to process BEACH program water quality samples was re-established, and all accessible beaches were monitored throughout the swimming season.
| County | Total Beaches | Monitored | Not Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcasieu | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Cameron | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| Jefferson | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| LaFourche | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| St. Mary | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| St. Tammany | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Totals | 28 | 22 | 6 |
2006 Summary Results
How many beaches had notification actions?
Figure 2: Monitored beaches with and without notification actions in 2006.
When monitoring of water quality at beaches shows that levels of certain bacteria exceed standards, Louisiana's beach managers issue an advisory, the monitoring/advisory sign at the sample site is opened to display the advisory warning, a press release is issued, and notice of the advisory is placed on the OPH BEACH Web site 
. Of the 22 coastal beaches that were monitored in 2006, 1, or 5 percent, had at least one advisory during the 2006 season (Figure 2).
How many notification actions were reported and how long were they?
Figure 3: Beach notification actions by duration.
One beach notification action was reported during the 2006 swimming season. The action lasted between 3 and 7 days. Figure 3 presents breakdowns of action durations.
What percentage of days were beaches under a notification action?
Figure 4: Beach days with and without notification actions.
For Louisiana's 2006 swimming season, EPA determined there were a total of 4,048 beach days associated with the 22 monitored beaches. Actions were reported on 5 of those days or about 0.1 percent of the time (Figure 4).
How do 2006 results compare to previous years?
Beginning in 2003, states are required to submit data to EPA under the BEACH Act for beaches which are in coastal and Great Lakes waters. Table 2 compares 2006 data with data reported in previous years.
| Year | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of monitored beaches | 6 | 26 | 22 |
| Number of beaches affected by notification actions | 6 | 22 | 1 |
| Percentage of beaches affected by notification actions | 100% | 85% | 5% |
For More Information
General information about beaches | Beaches in Louisiana
You can also see the Earth911 Beach Water Quality site for LA .
