PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) at Oregon Health Authority invites the Oregon community to comment on a list of proposed beaches to monitor for health risks in 2026 and 2027.
OBMP is a multi-agency effort between OHA and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to monitor the marine waters along Oregon’s coastline for the presence of fecal bacteria, and to report elevated levels to the public.
Criteria evaluated for each beach are: high recreational use, history of nearby pollution hazards, previously measured high bacteria levels and public input.
Currently, the DEQ tests samples of marine water and fresh water from 24 beaches along the 360 miles of Oregon coastline. To protect the health of the public, OHA keeps the public updated when water is unsafe.
OBMP will accept public comments and suggestions on the proposed 2026/2027 selection of beaches and sampling locations through October 31, 2025.
You can submit your opinions and comment through this link.
Based on OBMP’s current evaluation criteria, OHA and DEQ propose sampling the following beaches for the 2026/2027 monitoring season:
Clatsop County
- SEASIDE BEACH* – Seaside
- CANNON BEACH – Cannon Beach
- TOLOVANA SP BEACH – Cannon Beach
Coos County
- BASTENDORFF BEACH – Coos Bay
- SUNSET BAY SP BEACH – Coos Bay
- Curry County
- HUBBARD CREEK BEACH – Port Orford
- HARRIS BEACH SP – Brookings
- MILL BEACH – Brookings
- CRISSEY FIELD STATE RECREATION SITE* – Brookings
Lane County
- HECETA BEACH – Florence
Lincoln County
- D RIVER SP BEACH* – Lincoln City
- BEVERLY BEACH – Newport
- AGATE SP BEACH – Newport
- NYE BEACH – Newport
- SEAL ROCK SP BEACH – Seal Rock
- SILETZ BAY* – Lincoln City
- ONA BEACH – Beaver Creek State Natural Area, Brian Booth State Park
Tillamook County
- SHORT SAND BEACH – Arch Cape
- MANZANITA BEACH – Manzanita
- ROCKAWAY BEACH* – Rockaway
- TWIN ROCKS BEACH* – Twin Rocks
- OCEANSIDE* – Oceanside
- CAPE KIWANDA* – Pacific City
- NESKOWIN BEACH STATE RECREATION SITE* – Neskowin
Note: Beaches marked with an asterisk refer to those have more exposure to high bacterial levels. To add new beaches to the list above, DEQ would need to reduce sampling locations at other beaches. If locations are removed from the list, it would have to be locations where past data shows low risk.
For more information about OBMP, visit the program website or call 971-673-0440. To reach the OHA information line, call toll-free at 877-290-6767.
news/local/oha-wants-your-opinion-on-which-oregon-beaches-to-monitor-for-health-risks-next-year-coast-bacteria-water-safety”>Source link