36 CFR Part 1191 ABA Accessibility Guidelines, Outdoor Developed Areas - Preamble

Beach Access Routes

The proposed rule would have required beach access routes to be provided where a beach is constructed and where a pedestrian route is constructed at a beach. The final rule requires beach access routes to be provided where the entity that administers or manages a beach constructs or alters circulation paths, parking facilities, toilet facilities, or bathing facilities to serve the beach or undertakes a beach nourishment project. The entity is not required to expend more than 20 percent of the costs of constructing or altering facilities serving the beach or the beach nourishment project to provide beach access routes.

The proposed rule would have required the clear width of beach access routes to be 36 inches minimum. Beach access routes provide a firm and stable surface over the sand and are used by beach visitors with and without disabilities. The final rule requires the clear width of beach access routes to be 60 inches minimum to enable individuals who use wheeled mobility devices to pass beach visitors traveling in the opposite direction.