Dr. Beach’s Prescription (NAPSA)—Each year, coastal geologist Dr. Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman, director of the International Hurricane Center at Florida International University, compiles the annual listing of top beaches. Fort De Soto Park in Florida’s St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is rec- ognized as the best beach in the country, and oneofthe cleanest. More than 650 beaches through- out the United States are judged on a list of 50 criteria under four main areas: physical factors such as sand softness and number andsize of waves; biological factors such as color and condition of the water; presence of wildlife and pests; and human use and impacts such as lifeguard protection, far-reaching views andtraffic. This year, Dr. Leatherman elevated Fort De Soto Park to the number-one ranking beach in the entire United States (from #2 last two years). The seven miles of powder- white sand beaches on more than a thousand unspoiled acres has also received the Blue Wave Award for environmental manage- ment from the Clean Beaches Council. For more information, go to www.FloridasBeach.com.
