(1) Efforts to enable pedestrian access to beach areas must be balanced with the need to protect shoreline ecological functions and ensure public safety.

(2) Beach access structures should be located, designed, and maintained in a manner that minimizes adverse impacts on shoreline ecology. Proposals for beach access structures should consider existing topography, shoreline aesthetics, and minimize clearing and grading to the maximum extent feasible.

(3) Neighboring property owners are encouraged to combine resources to collectively propose beach access structures in appropriate locations for shared use.

(4) Beach access structures should not be permitted until and unless their adverse impacts on stream, lake or marine shoreline functions and processes, including any adverse impacts on adjoining lands and properties, are fully evaluated and mitigated.

(5) Beach access structures may not be appropriate in some areas because of safety hazards or sensitive ecological conditions. These structures should not be permitted in areas where there are expected risks to human health and safety or adverse impacts on shoreline functions and processes. Some properties will have view-only access to the adjoining waters.

(6) Beach access structures should not be permitted if there is a reasonable likelihood that they will require erosion control structures or armoring in the future.