301 



The closed acreage, about 6,000 acres with 4,500 usable acres at 5 

 bushels per acre at $10 per bushel, is estimated to be capable of pro- 

 ducing clams with a docks'ide value of $225,000 and an expanded value 

 in excess of $2,250,000 annually. Tliis loss has been in effect for 25 

 years. Adjacent open waters provide the proof of use an<l tlie dollar 

 values used to estimate the loss. 



DAMAGE TO RECREATION 



Staten Island Beaches 



The information presented in this case study was obtained through 

 interview of the manager of the Parks Department, Staten Island, 

 F.D.E. Boardwalk, and the manager of Wolfe Pond Park, Staten 

 Island, in April 1969. Additional information pertaining to average 

 coliform density on the Staten Island Beaches was obtained from the 

 New York City Department of Health. Former uses of the beaches are a 

 matter of record and can be verified through old newspaper clippings 

 of the Staten Island Advance as well as discussion with older residents 

 of New Jersey and Staten Island. These statistics are not available in 

 published form and have been verified and rechecked bv interview and 

 investigation as part of the contract studies of the National Estuarine 

 Pollution Study. 



The F.D.R. Boardwalk, Midland Beach, Great Kills Park, and 

 South Beach are regularly posted in the summer season. The signs read 

 "Not Recommended for Bathing," and are posted by the Board of 

 Health of the city of New York. When this happened in 1968, it 

 resulted in a drop of 50 percent in the use of these facilities. 



Bathhouses and parking facilities were originated in the 1930's. 

 The construction which is now evident dates from a reconstruction in 

 1950. 



South Beach has two parking facilities for 800 cars each. Midland 

 Beach for another 800 cars, amounting to a total of 2,400 cars parking 

 facilities. 



On a nonposted average day, 1,300 cars will use these lots. On a 

 holiday, 2,000 cars will be using them. The admittance per car is 50 

 cents, therefore, $650 and $1,000 are paid for parking respectively. 

 When the beach is posted "not recommended for bathing," an average 

 day's parking fees amount to $325 and a peak day yields $500. 



The beaches are open from May 24 to the weekend after Labor Day. 

 With Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day offering a total of 9 

 days peak activity at a loss of $500 per day in parking fees, a total loss 

 of $4,500 per season for peak activity is attributed to pollution. In 

 June, July, and August, weather and conditions permitting 25 days 

 average usage per month is available. If the loss of use due to pollu- 

 tion runs at $325 a day, the loss computes to $8,125 per month and for 

 the total season to about $24,000 in round figures. Conser^^atively 

 speaking, the total annual loss amounts to $30,000 in parking fees 

 alone. 



It is most important, however, that these figures in dollars by no 

 means reflect the true loss in recreational facilities due to pollution. 

 Fifty cents is charged whether one car with one passenger or a whole 

 family parks in the parking lots. Most of the time whole families are 

 affected in this figure of 50 cents per car, usually most families from 



