If states close beaches, won they damage coastal economies?
The primary purpose of beach closings is to protect public health. Although there may be short-term impacts to local economies from beach closings, public confidence is enhanced by the knowledge that effective beach protection and cleanup programs are in place. Ultimately, coastal economies will be bolstered if beachwater pollution sources are cleaned up. A recent study estimated that the annual health costs associated with gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, come to between $21 million and $51 million for Los Angeles and Orange county beaches alone. For two Great Lakes beaches, the economic benefit of faster beachwater testing methods and earlier posting of advisories or closings was found to be about $202,000.
