Best (and worst) beaches in the U.S.

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The best and worst
The Natural Resources Defense Council’s annual “Testing the Waters” report cited 13 beaches that the council says do the best job of protecting the public, along with six beaches that have the highest percentage of closing and swimming advisory days.

The 13 “Beach Buddies,” which met public health standards more than 90 percent of the time in 2006, were:

• North Carolina: Kure Beach and Kill Devil Hills Beach
• Wisconsin: Sister Bay Beach and North Beach
• California: Laguna Beach
• Michigan: Grand Haven City Beach and Grand Haven State Park beaches
• Maine: Libby Cove, Mother’s, Middle, Cape Neddick, Short Sands and York Harbor beaches.

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The “Beach Bums” failed to meet federal health standards more than half the time. They were:

• California: Avalon Beach (north of Green Pleasure Pier) (53%) and Venice State Beach (57%)
• Maryland: Hacks Point (60%) and Bay Country Campground and Beach (56%)
• New Jersey: Beachwood Beach West (60%)
• Illinois: Jackson Park Beach (54%)

In addition, for the first time, the NRDC named a “Beach Hero,” recognizing an individual for exceptional contributions to water quality. He is Dr. Carl Berg, who was nominated by the Hawaii Department of Health. Berg, a marine ecologist, has invested considerable time in monitoring and protecting beaches, rivers and streams that make up the ecosystem of Hanalei Bay in Hawaii. He has helped farmers reduce the amount of soil erosion on their land and worked to replace cesspools in the beach park as well as on private land along the watershed.

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Best (and worst) beaches in the U.S.