Joyce, Rouzer, Pallone, Sykes Introduce Bill to Preserve America’s Beaches

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH-14), David Rouzer (R-NC-07), Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), and Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13) reintroduced the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act. The funding provided through this bill helps state and local governments test, monitor, and identify contamination in recreational waters, such as the Great Lakes. 

“Each year, millions of Americans make use of our country’s extensive and rich coastal environments for recreation, especially along Lake Erie,” said Congressman Joyce. “Unfortunately, water pollution can make these beaches unsafe, resulting in increased health problems. The BEACH Act ensures that beaches and the surrounding waters remain clean and safe for generations to come.”

“New Jersey’s beaches are a cornerstone of our state’s identity, drawing millions each summer and fueling our coastal economy,” said Congressman Pallone. “Our bipartisan legislation ensures that beachgoers can enjoy our shorelines with confidence by strengthening water quality monitoring and expanding the tools available to identify local pollution at its source. By reauthorizing and improving the BEACH Act, we’re taking a critical step to safeguard public health and preserve the natural beauty of our coasts for generations to come.”

“Lake Erie supports industries, agriculture, and tourism throughout Northeast Ohio and is one of our country’s most prized natural resources,” said Congresswoman Sykes. “I’m glad to work with my colleagues on this bipartisan legislation to keep Lake Erie clean and safe for the people of Ohio’s 13th District to enjoy.”     

BACKGROUND:

The BEACH Act was established in 2000 to require EPA to develop guidelines for testing, monitoring, and notifying public users of possible coastal recreation water problems, such as contamination, and provide grant funding to state, local, and tribal governments to protect beachgoers from contaminated water at coastal beaches, including the Great Lakes. Funding is used to develop and implement beach monitoring and notification programs. 

SUMMARY: 

This bill reauthorizes the BEACH Act program at $30 million for FY2025 – FY2029, which retains the previously authorized level, and expands eligible uses of BEACH Act grants to include identification of sources of contamination. BEACH Act funds are currently eligible to be used for the monitoring and notification of contamination, but not identification of sources. Adding identification of sources as an eligible use of funds will help address the root causes of a contamination issue that BEACH Act funds are already being used to monitor. 

The legislation also expands the eligible testing locations to include shallow recreational waters adjacent to beaches where children and elderly typically play and swim at the beach, and therefore are more at-risk for contamination. 

This legislation is endorsed by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association, Coastal States Organization, Environment America, and Surfrider Foundation.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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