Certification is valid for one year. Because compliance with federal standards for coastal areas is voluntary, beaches around the country suffer from inconsistent water quality and other health threats, according to the American Oceans Campaign. Fort Lauderdale Beach was also cited as one of the country's best by the Clean Beaches Council. In the past 10 years, nearly 19,000 beaches have been closed because of unsafe water, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Visitors from other countries spend even more.
Beaches play a unique and vital role in the nation's environment, economy and way of life.
The Blue Wave Campaign promotes sustainable management of beach resources in order to preserve a legacy of clean beaches for generations to come. Runoff from farms, logging, road-building, house construction and other development create the lion's share of pollution streaming into the world's oceans. Pathogens found in these waters cause viruses and disease around the world. The following U.S. beaches met the council's criteria for water quality, safety, services, habitat conservation, erosion management, public information and education. State Park Florida.