ACT NOW! Tell Your Senators You Support the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act
Your senators need to hear from you now in support of a key bill protecting Great Lakes families during a day at the beach. The U.S. Senate is considering S. 878, which would increase funding for beaches to $60 million annually, paying for state and local beach health monitoring, public notification and -- most importantly -- removal of pollution that can make you and your family sick. With the Alliance's support, the bill has been approved by the Environment and Public Works committee and awaits consideration by the full Senate. The Senate bill, known as the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act of 2009, would amend the federal Clean Water Act to reauthorize the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (“BEACH”) Act through fiscal year 2013. Since its passage in 2000, the BEACH Act has improved public health nationwide by authorizing the U.S. EPA to award grants to develop comprehensive beach monitoring and public notification programs for state and local recreational beaches. This bill will improve the current BEACH Act by: • Allowing states to spend a portion of their funding to remove pollution sources.
• Requiring EPA to approve new rapid testing methods that will protect the public from polluted water faster.
• Doubling the level of funding for this important program. It is critical that you ask your senator today to support the strong pollution prevention measures in S. 878 and protect Great Lakes beaches. The U.S. House of Representatives is considering similar legislation (H.R. 2093) which contains some of the same language as the Senate bill. The House bill has been weakened by recent amendments, however, making support for the Senate version more critical. Contact your U.S. senators and representatives >> Page updated 6-30-09
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