Full document / COSOC-W-86-002 - the National Sea Grant Library

Estuarine andCoastal Management-Tools ofihe Abstract only
Trade. Proceedingsof the TenthNationalConference
of The Coastal Society. October 12-15.1986. New
Orleans,LA. Copyright by TheCoastalSociety
1987.
RISK MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC OPEN-WATER
RECREATIONAL BEACHES IN THE UNITED STATES
James M. McQoy
Coastal Zone Laboratory
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Galveston. TXT7S53
In the United Slates the number one recreational activity is swimming and the
second ranked activity is fishing. Combined with the fact that the majority of the
population ofthe U.S.A. resideswithin50 milesof the coast,it is estimatedconservatively
thatannuallythereis a population-at-risk on the publicopen-waterrecreational beachesin
excess of250 million people.
These recreational beachesarevery heavilyimpactedby manand therehave been
numerous coastal structures to maintain present beaches, retard erosion, and to trap
additional sediment However, there are problems associated with these shoreline
structuresand the geomorphicnearshore processes thathave a significanteffect on how the
risks of these beaches aremanaged. The risk management of this beachuserpopulation
hasbeenstudiedinonly theveryminimal way; public safetyeducation relating to the beach
environment and processesencounteredthere hasreceived only modest distribution;and
the equipment and methodology for carrying out this management has, in the main,
received only cursory attention from the city, county, state, and national administrative
authorities responsible forthe safetyandhealth of thebeach patrons.
Becausethereis a perception thatpeopledo not understand the processes endemic
to the nearshore environment and that the nearshore contains numerous and constant hidden
dangers in the form ofripcurrents, sand bars, and scour holes there have been numerous
law suitsbroughtto the courtswhen peoplehave Injured themselveswhile in the water,or
diving into the water. The problem has become so acute in the United States thatcoastal
communities have hadtheirmunicipalliabilityinsurance cancelledbecauseofthese law
suits. In allthese law suits,the"standard of care" andthe methodologyof risk
management arecalledintoquestion,examinedin minutedetail,andwheneverpossible
found wantingby plantiffs counselandassociated expertwitnesses.
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