June 24, 2005 Beach Water Quality Advisories Issued At Martin Beach; Sections of Fourchon, Grand Isle State Park and Holly BeachesAdvisories lifted for Hackberry, Rutherford and Gulf Breeze beaches; others remain in effect

BATON ROUGE, Jun 24, 2005 - Swimming advisories have been issued for the beach water at Martin Beach in Cameron Parish; one section of Fourchon Beach and one section of Grand Isle State Park beach in Lafourche Parish; and at Martin Beach and two sections of Holly Beach in Cameron Parish. All advisories all remain in effect until samples show water bacteria levels are acceptably lowered. Swim advisories remain in effect for Constance, Little Florida and three sections of Holly Beach in Cameron Parish.

Please note that this is NOT a closure of the beach or facilities at any of these locations. All areas remain open for boating and land-based activities.

The advisories, issued through the Louisiana BEACH Monitoring Program, state that the public should avoid swimming at these locations because the high levels of bacteria are a potential health risk. This is especially important for the elderly, babies, small children and people who are chronically ill or have compromised immune systems. The advisories remain in effect until LDH samples show water bacterial levels are acceptably lowered.

High levels of enteric bacteria indicate fecal contamination in water. This can happen because of stormwater runoff, area livestock and wildlife or human sewage. These bacteria indicate the possible presence of disease-causing organisms which, if swallowed, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, cramping or fever.

Swim advisories previously issued for Gulf Breeze, Hackberry and Rutherford beaches in Cameron Parish are lifted because water samples tested during the past seven days show the water is now acceptable for swimming.

Beach facilities were never closed as a result of these advisories because conditions were acceptable for land-based or boating and fishing activities.

The Louisiana BEACH Monitoring Program is a partnership between the Department of Health and Hospitals, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Louisiana Office of State Parks. Cameron Parish Police Jury, The Town of Grand Isle and Lafourche Parish Police Jury are partners in this project and are responsible for displaying, maintaining and removing swim advisory signs at area beaches.

The program monitors bacteria levels of water at 13 locations throughout the state from May through October. For more information on the program or to check the status of monitoring at the different locations, please visit http://www.oph.dhh.louisiana.gov/sanitarianservices/beachmonitor/index.html.