The Oregon Health Authority today lifted a public health advisory for contact with marine water at Rockaway Beach, located in Tillamook County and Seal Rock State Park Beach, located in Lincoln County. OHA issued the advisory for Rockaway Beach August 9 and for Seal Rock State Park Beach August 10, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Ongoing samples taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) show that contamination has subsided and the water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk associated with water contact activities. However, officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

State officials continue to encourage other recreational activities at all Oregon beaches, suggesting only that water contact be avoided when advisories are in effect.
Since 2003 state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0400, or call OHA toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767.