v>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(4504F)
EPA 842-F-98-010
April 1998
The Beach and Your Coastal
Watershed
7\ watershed is an area
in which water,
sediments, and
dissolved material drain
to a common outlet,
| such as a river, lake,
I bay or ocean.
-
aches are an important part of the complex and dynamic coastal watershed.
Lake, river, and ocean beaches are America's top vacation choices. We take
* almost two billion trips to the beach each year and spend billions of dollars in
beach communities. Inadequate protection and overuse of beaches can lead to their
alteration or destruction. However, some simple actions can be taken to protect these
valuable systems.
What Is a Beach and
What Does It Do?
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) defines a
beach as "the area of unconsoli-
dated material, such as sand,
pebbles, or rocks, that extends
landward from the low water line
to the place where there is marked
change in material or physi-
ographic form, or to the line of
permanent vegetation (usually the
effective limit of storm waves)." In
other words, a beach is the sandy,
pebbly, or rocky shore of a body of
water.
Beaches vary widely in physical type and characteristics. When most of us think of a
beach, we picture sandy ocean beaches with waves crashing, wind blowing, and seagulls
flying overhead. But beaches in the .United States also include urban seashores, estuarine
and lagoonal beaches, and freshwater lakefronts and riverfronts.
Ocean beaches—Ocean beaches vary along our coasts. The Atlantic coast, for
example, includes a system of barrier beaches influenced by high-energy wave action. The
coasts of the Gulf of Mexico are calmer, with less wave action and more
submerged vegetation like sea grasses. The Pacific region has some moun-
tainous coastlines and volcanic islands. The plants and animals of each
area are different from those of other beaches; the sand texture, color, and
consistency even vary. For example, Hawaii is famous for its black sand
beaches, a result of volcanic activity on the islands.
Urban seashores, freshwater lake/fonts,
and riverfronts—Since goods were transported via
water "highways" before the invention of trains and trucks,
many American cities developed along riverfronts, ports, and
lakes. Cities like Boston, St. Louis, Chicago, and San Diego
have urban seashores, riverfronts, or lakefronts. These areas
provide recreational opportunities for many city dwellers.
Estuarine/lagoonal beaches—Some coastal areas,
influenced by river systems, form deltas, bays, and extensive
estuarine and lagoonal beaches. An estuary is an area where
freshwater empties into and mixes with saltwater. The
shorelines within estuaries can be vegetated with many types
of plants, including mangroves and sea grass beds. These areas
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are important breeding grounds for a variety offish, shellfish, and shore-
birds. The Chesapeake Bay, Galveston Bay, and San Francisco Bay are all
examples of estuarine systems.
A beach—whether ocean, urban, or estuarine—serves a variety of
functions:
• The beach provides a unique habitat for a variety of plants and animals.
For example, 75 percent of migratory waterfowl live in or depend on
coastal beaches during their life span. Dune vegetation provides nesting
areas for several kinds of birds and animals. The types of species found on
a beach are determined by the type of beach. In the hot, wet climate of
the tropics, mangrove trees dominate estuarine/lagoonal beaches. In the
harsher climate of New England, beaches are dominated by a few
species of hardy grasses and bushes that can withstand strong winds, cold winters,
and intense summer sun.
Stretches of beach along the coasts of the United States provide numerous recre-
ational opportunities for millions of people. Boating,
fishing, swimming, walking, beachcombing, bird-
watching, and sunbathing are among the numerous
activities enjoyed by beachgoers. The aesthetic aspects
of a beach system provide additional benefits, even
inspiring works of art and literature.
Beaches provide some protection to residents living
near the ocean. They act as a buffer against the high
winds and waves of powerful storm systems or
turbulent seas.
The beach is an
important component of
the coastal watershed.
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Marine
floating
.washed
:or litter
peach.
debris is trash
on the ocean,
up on beaches,
left on the
J
Why Can't We Use the Beach Sometimes?
Pollution of coastal environments threatens the use of beaches as an economic, recre-
ational, and aesthetic resource. Impacts can result from activities occurring on the beach
itself or from points within the coastal watershed that drain to an
area of the beach. Marine debris, such as litter left on the beach after
a picnic, is an example of a local impact. Some typical impacts from
activities farther up in the watershed include poor water quality from
excessive nutrients (in the form of fertilizers draining from lawns or
agricultural fields within the watershed); and from litter washed into
storm drains and eventually reaching the beach. Litter can make it
unsafe to walk on the beach; pathogens or algae blooms can make it
unsafe to swim; and other pollutants can make it unsafe to eat the
fish or shellfish caught from the waters.
Some Impacts on Beaches
People using the beach and the areas directly offshore can damage
beach resources. The beach is a sensitive, dynamic environment that
provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Excessive use of
the beach can lead to the gradual degradation of habitat. Impacts on dunes due to foot
traffic can lead to erosion and destruction of vegetation. Frequent boat traffic too close to
the shoreline, particularly along lakefronts and riverfronts, can cause excessive wave action
that can lead to beach erosion. Trash dumped from boats can be washed up onto the beach,
posing a threat to human and marine species. When boat sewage is not disposed of
properly, pathogens and nutrients can enter the water, degrading water quality.
Marine debris is trash floating on the ocean or washed up on beaches. It comes from
many sources, including beachgoers, improper disposal of trash on land, storm water runoff
to rivers and streams, ships and other vessels, and offshore oil and gas platforms. Marine
debris can seriously affect wildlife, the environment, people, and our economy. Communi-
ties can lose considerable income when littered beaches must be closed or cleaned up.
An excessive amount of nutrients from land-based sources such as failing septic tanks,
sewage treatment plants, boating wastes, deposition from air, industrial organic waste
discharge, and contaminated runoff from fertilized farms or yards or from animal feeding
operations can adversely affect the beach. Some of these impacts include harmful algal
blooms and fish kills. Outbreaks of the toxic microorganism Pfiesteria piscicida have been
linked to excessive nutrients in the affected waters.
Pathogens threaten human health and cause beach closures. The most frequent sources
of disease-causing microorganisms, or pathogens, are sewage overflows, polluted storm
water runoff, sewage treatment plant malfunctions, boating wastes, and malfunctioning
septic systems. Swimming in or ingesting waters contaminated with pathogens can result
in human health problems such as sore throat, gastroenteritis, or even meningitis or
encephalitis. Pathogens can also contaminate shellfish beds.
Land development activities within the coastal watershed can have
serious consequences for beaches. Clearing of land for obtaining
timber, the construction of homes and roads, and other development
projects completed without properly revegetating the area can lead to
excessive sediments being washed into the system. These sediments
are deposited downstream along coastal shorelines. Not only do
excessive sediments muddy the water and make it unappealing to
swim in, but they can also carry excessive nutrients and pesticides,
causing water quality problems. Land development directly on the
beach can destroy the dune and beach ecosystem and increase
erosion of beaches. This can result in the need for costly beach
"renourishment" projects. In addition, coastal storms may be more
damaging because natural barriers are removed in the process of
development.
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What Is EPA Doing to Protect Beaches?
BEACH Program—EPA, through its Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure and
Health (BEACH) Program, is working with state, tribal, and local governmental partners to
make sure beach water quality information is available to the public. EPA established the
BEACH Program to provide a framework for local governments to develop equally protective
and consistent programs across the country for monitoring the quality of water at beaches
and posting warnings or beach closings when pollutant levels are too high.
Marine debris—EPA is also committed to protecting human and environmental
health from marine debris by working with other federal agencies to develop citizen
monitoring and clean-up patrols and to build public awareness about
marine debris. These programs include financial support to the
International Beach Cleanups organized by the Center for Marine
Conservation, national marine debris information offices, public
service announcements, and development of methods for volunteer
clean-up efforts.
Pollution discharge—EPA also works closely with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers in the use of dredged material to restore
beaches damaged by erosion. EPA works with the U.S. Coast Guard
to regulate the transportation of municipal and commercial waste on
vessels and to issue regulations for the manufacture, maintenance,
and efficiency of marine sanitation devices (boat toilets), as well as
the establishment of "no discharge zones" for vessel sewage. All of
these efforts enhance coastal water quality.
EPA also implements programs to control the direct and indirect discharge of pollutants
to beach areas. Laws and regulations prohibit the direct discharge of pollutants (point
source pollution) to water bodies. Voluntary programs help prevent the indirect discharge
of pollutants (nonpoint source pollution) to water bodies.
t
What Can You Do to Help Protect Beaches?
The most effective way to reduce beach closures is pollution prevention, which starts at
home. Conserving water, keeping septic systems properly maintained, properly disposing of
trash and pet waste, and using natural substances like compost to fertilize gardens are just
a few examples of how you can make a difference. When you are enjoying the beach, such
simple acts as putting your trash in the proper receptacles and using walkovers instead of
walking across the sensitive dune systems can maintain the beach for continued use by
you and others. You can dispose of boat sewage in onshore sanitary facilities instead of
dumping it into the water. Many coastal communities organize beach cleanups in which
you can participate, an enjoyable way to ensure your beach stays trash-free.
For additional information . ..
Call EPfl's Oceans and Coastal Protection Division at (202) 260-1952 or visit
EPfl's web site at httptf/www.epa.gov/OWOW/oceans.
Visit BPfl's "Beach Watch" web site at httptffyvvw.epa.gov/OST/beaches
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