Contact: Elleen Kane FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(301) 713-3086, Ext. 100 5/26/95
For millions of Americans, summertime means visits to the beach and fun in the sun. The average American spends about 10 vacation days at the coast each year, and over half the U.S. population lives there. Yet this popularity can spell trouble for the coast.
"More people means more stress on coastal resources from development, pollution, and multiple uses of the coast," said Jeffrey R. Benoit, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, which is part of the Commerce Department.
As part of a nationwide effort to rise Americans' understanding of the stress on the coast, a national market research firm, Market Facts' TELENATION, donated survey services to find out what Americans think about coastal issues.
The random survey found significant concern about overbuilding, erosion, water pollution, overcrowded beaches and marine debris, but that Americans seem unaware of an individual's impact on the coast.
For example, 83% of respondents say they see overbuilding along the coast as a problem. Comparing conditions to 10 years ago, 56% say they see more trash; 47% see more dead fish washed up on beaches; 53% say the waters are dirtier, and 64% say they see more erosion.
Thirty-four percent of people surveyed expect to find beaches more crowded this year than last, about half expect the beaches to be just as crowded, and 68% say they find beaches significantly more crowded than just 10 years ago.
Further, they see industry as the major cause of pollution in coastal waters. Twenty-five percent of respondents believe untreated sewage is the major cause and 20% think pollution comes primarily from industry pipes or oil spills.
"The everyday citizen plays a huge role in what happens to the coast, from the trash left on the beach to the fertilizer that runs off the lawn into local streams," says Benoit. "It all adds up."
He suggests simple things to beachgoers to preserve the coast for future enjoyment. He recommends people look for public access beaches, walkways and parking lots, stay off beach dunes and keep the beach clean.
NOAA has established a Coastal Guardian hotline where people can learn how to preserve the coast whether they are at the beach or at home. The toll-free number is 1-800-226-1234.