The list includes 36 Florida beaches, nearly half of which are in the Florida Panhandle. Of the 17 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands that were certified by the Council, Florida has the most beaches on the list.

The Clean Beaches Council says it runs the most comprehensive, national environmental and public safety beach certification program in the country. The Blue Wave Campaign is in its fourth year and continues to expand. In 2000, only seven states participated.

Walter McLeod, president of the Clean Beaches Council said the campaign is the only program of its kind which helps families and tourists identify beaches that do not pose a serious health or safety risk, and are managed to protect the environment and beach wildlife.

The Council noted in its press conference today that Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society, said many beaches around the country are not monitored for water quality using EPA-recommended guidelines, nor is the public notified when beach waters are unsafe.

The Blue Wave Campaign is a voluntary program open to both rural and resort beaches. For a beach community to apply for certification, a particular entity within that community, such as a business, state agency, county agency, or multiple agencies, must sponsor the effort.

The Clean Beaches Council works with state and local environmental and health authorities to verify application data. Blue Wave certification is valid for one year only. The Clean Beaches Council will continue to conduct certifications throughout the country this summer.

The other participating states this year are Alabama, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massacusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The U.S. Virgin Islands also participated.

The Clean Beaches Council will continue to conduct certifications throughout the country this summer.

South Atlantic Coast
Hollywood Beach
Dania Beach
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Pompano Beach
Deerfield Beach

Florida Gulf Coast
Fort DeSoto Park Beach
St. Pete Beach Access
St. Petersburg/Treasure Island Beach
Sand Key Park Beach
Clearwater City Beach
Honeymoon Island State Park
Caladesi Island State Park
Fred Howard Park Beach

North Atlantic Coast
Jacksonville Beach
Crescent Beach, Fort Matanzas National Monument

Central Atlantic Coast
Cherie Down Park
Indialantic Boardwalk Beach
Alan Shepard Park
Ocean Park
Spessard Holland Park

Florida Panhandle
Inlet Beach
Rosemary Beach
Seacrest
Seagrove
Seaside
Watercolor
Grayton
Blue Mountain
Santa Rosa
Dune Allen
Sandestin
Seascape
Miramar
DeerLake State Park
Grayton Beach State Park
Topsail Hill State Preserve

The Clean Beaches Council's Blue Wave Campaign is a public-private partnership. Contributors to the Blue Wave Campaign have included AT&T, Coastal Living Magazine(an AOL Time Warner company), Callaway Coastal, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration , and the National Park Service.

Other partners of the Blue Wave Campaign are the United Nations Environment Program, the National Wildlife Refuge Association, the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, the Global Environment and Technology Foundation, and Ocean Futures Society.