Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $10.6 million in grant funding to help coastal and Great Lakes communities protect the health of beachgoers this summer. A total of nearly $1.6 million will go to the states of Illinois ($258,000), Indiana ($222,000), Michigan ($298,000), Minnesota ($217,000), Ohio ($242,000), Wisconsin ($241,00), the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians ($60,000), and the Grand Portage Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians ($56,000), all located in EPA’s Region 5. Funding will assist states and Tribes in conducting water quality monitoring and public notification programs for their beaches.
“Many people spend time in the summer splashing, swimming, and playing at a favorite beach, which is why EPA is providing more than $10 million to help states and local partners monitor water quality,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “These grants help states, Tribes, and territories fund programs to ensure that our coastal waters are safe for swimming and recreation.”
Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, EPA awards grants to eligible states, Tribal, and territorial applicants to help them and their local government partners monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches. When bacteria levels are too high for safe swimming, these agencies notify the public and post beach warnings or closings.
Since 2001, EPA has awarded nearly $216 million in BEACH Act grants to test beach waters for illness-causing bacteria and help with public notification and identification of the problem. This program is essential for protecting the health of beachgoers across the country.
“With summer right around the corner, tens of millions of Americans are making plans to travel to our beautiful beaches in Delaware and around the country,” said Senator Carper (DE), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Fortunately, EPA is providing states and communities with the tools to ensure the safety of the water at our nation’s beaches, which are an integral part of our tourism economy and important ecosystems for wildlife and migratory birds.”
More information on BEACH Act grants.
Check the relevant state, Tribal, or territorial beach program website for closing or advisory information at a particular beach.
Original source can be found here.