6.0 BEACH ACCESS ROUTES
6.1 General.
Beach access routes complying with 6.0 shall be provided at developed beach sites as required by 6.0. Beach access routes shall be permanent or removable surfaces. Removable beach access routes can be moved to a protected storage area during storms and other periods when the routes are subject to damage.
Exception 1. Where a condition in 1.1 prohibits full compliance with a specific requirement in 6.0 on a portion of a beach access route, that portion of the beach access route shall comply with the specific requirement to the extent practicable. The basis for the determination shall be documented and maintained with the records of the construction or alteration project.
Exception 2. If it is determined not to be practicable to provide a beach access route complying with 6.0 after applying Exception 1, a beach access route shall not be required. The basis for the determination of impracticability shall be documented, the documentation shall be maintained with the records of the construction or alteration project, and notification of this determination shall be sent to the Access Board. A form is available on the Access Board’s Website http://www.access-board.gov/guidelinesand-standards/recreation-facilities/outdoor-developed-areas for optional use.
Exception 3. Removable beach access routes shall not be required to comply with the grade requirements in section 6.7 and the resting interval requirement in section 6.8.
Exception 4. Beach access routes shall not be required where pedestrian access to the beach is not permitted.
6.2 Where Required.
Beach access routes shall be provided in a number complying with 6.3 where any of the following facilities to serve the beach are constructed or altered:
6.2.1 Circulation Routes Constructed at Beaches.
Beach access routes shall be provided where circulation routes such as boardwalks, walkways, or dune crossings are constructed along or across developed beach sites to provide pedestrian access to the beach or shoreline.
6.2.2 Parking Facilities Constructed at Beaches.
Where parking facilities are constructed at developed beach sites and pedestrian access to the beach is provided near the parking facilities, beach access routes shall be provided.
6.2.3 Bathing and Toilet Facilities Constructed at Beaches.
Where bathing and toilet facilities are constructed at developed beach sites and pedestrian access points to the beach are provided near the bathing and toilet facilities, beach access routes shall be provided.
6.2.4 Beach Nourishment.
Beach access routes shall be provided where a beach nourishment project is undertaken.
Exception: No more than 20 percent of the costs of a facility construction or alteration project or beach nourishment project shall be required to be expended to provide beach access routes.
6.3 Minimum Number.
At least one beach access route shall be provided for each 1/2 mile of shoreline where required by 6.2.
Exception: The number of beach access routes shall not be required to exceed the number of pedestrian access points that are provided to a beach.
6.4 Connections.
Beach access routes shall coincide with or be located in the same general area as the pedestrian access points to the beach. Beach access routes shall extend to the:
6.4.1.
High tide level at tidal beaches;
6.4.2.
Mean high water level at river beaches; and
6.5 Surface.
The surface of beach access routes and their related resting intervals shall be firm and stable.
6.6 Clear Width.
The clear width of beach access routes shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum.
Exception: At dune crossings, the clear width of beach access routes that are not removable shall be permitted to be reduced to 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum.
6.7.1 Running Slope (Grade).
The running slope (grade) of a Beach Access Route shall comply with all applicable provisions of this section.
| Running Slope (Grade) and Resting Intervals on Beach Access Routes | Maximum Length of Segment | |
| Steeper than | But not Steeper than | |
| 1:20 (5 percent) | 1:12 (8.33 percent) | 50 feet (15 m) |
| 1:12 (8.33 percent) | 1:10 (10 percent) | 30 feet (9 m) |
Exception. Elevated dune crossings shall not be required to comply with the resting interval requirements in 6.7.1.
6.7.1.1.
The grade of a Beach Access Route shall be 1:20 (5 percent) or less for any distance.
6.7.1.2.
A grade of up to 1:12 (8.33 percent) is permitted for up to 50 feet (15 m) of a beach access route. Resting intervals complying with section 2.3 shall be provided at distances of no more than 50 feet (15 m) apart.
6.7.1.3.
A grade of up to 1:10 (10 percent) is permitted for up to 30 feet (9 m) of a beach access route. Resting intervals complying with section 2.3 shall be provided at distances of no more than 30 feet (9 m) apart.
6.7.2 Cross Slope.
The cross slope of a beach access route shall be no more than 1:33 (3 percent). Where the surface is paved or is elevated above the natural ground, the cross slope shall not be steeper than 1:48 (2 percent).
6.8.1 Size.
The resting interval length shall be a minimum of 60 inches (1525 mm) long by 60 inches (1525 mm) wide.
6.8.2 Grade and cross slope.
The slope of a resting interval shall not be steeper than 1:33 (3 percent) in any direction. Where the surface is paved or is elevated above the natural ground, the surface shall not be steeper than 1:48 (2 percent) in any direction.
6.9 Tread Obstacles.
Obstacles on beach access routes and their related resting intervals shall not exceed 1 inch (25 mm) in height measured vertically to the highest point. Where the surface is paved or is elevated above the natural ground, obstacles shall not exceed 1/2 inch (13 mm) in height measured vertically to the highest point. Where possible, obstacles should not be closer than 48 inches (1220 mm) apart.
6.10 Openings.
Openings in the surface of beach access routes and their related resting intervals may be up to 1/2 inch (13 millimeters) wide. Where possible, elongated openings should be placed perpendicular, or as close to perpendicular as possible, to the dominant direction of travel.
6.11 Protruding Objects.
Constructed features, including signs, shall not extend into the space above a beach access route more than 4 inches (100 mm) if they are between 27 inches (685 mm) and 80 inches (2030 mm) above the surface of the beach access route.
6.11.1 Natural Elements.
Accessibility guidelines for protruding objects do not apply to natural elements such as tree branches and rock formations. However, safety regulations or Forest Service construction and maintenance standards may define clear space and limit the allowable extension of natural protruding objects over the beach access route surface.
6.12 Handrails and Edge Protection.
Where elevated dune crossings or dune crossings steeper than 1:20 (5 percent) are part of beach access routes, handrails complying with ABAAS section 505 and edge protection complying with ABAAS section 405.9 shall be provided.
6.13 Outdoor Constructed Features.
Where provided on circulation paths or beach access routes at beaches, outdoor constructed features such as picnic tables, grills or water hydrants, shall comply with technical provisions for that constructed feature as detailed in these Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines.
6.14 Gates and Barriers.
Where gates or barriers are constructed to control access to beach access routes, gates and barriers shall comply with 6.14.
6.14.1 Clear Width.
Gate openings and openings in barriers for pedestrian passage shall provide a clear width of 36 inches (915 mm), complying with ODAAG, section 1017.3 Clear Tread Width.
6.14.2 Gate Hardware.
Gate hardware shall comply with operable controls requirements in ABAAS section 309.4 and 404.2.7.
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