Health warning for Tolovana State Park beach lifted on May 31

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today 31 May has lifted a health advisory for contact with seawater at Tolovana State Park in Clatsop County.

The health authority issued the recommendation on 29 Mayafter water samples showed an above-normal level of faecal bacteria in the seawater.

Results from follow-up testing by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower levels of bacteria. Contact with the seawater no longer poses a higher risk than normal. Authorities recommend avoiding large beach pools frequented by birds and runoff from these pools, as the water may contain more bacteria from feces.

Since 2003, state agencies have used a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to monitor popular beaches in Oregon and provide timely reports of elevated fecal bacteria levels to the public. The Oregon state agencies involved 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 971-673-0440or call the OHA toll-free information hotline at 877-290-6767.