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 notification procedures could cost a total of 3-5 million dollars and could take 3-4 

 years or longer. Implementation would also have a significant cost. There 

 currently are no resources budgeted for this purpose, and funding such a program 

 would require significant reprogramming. 



The EPA supports State efforts to provide recreational water pollution 

 notification requirements through State and local agencies as indicated in the bill. 

 It is appropriate that they inform recreational water users of microbiological 

 hazards through public notice. 



Just as we now have criteria endpoints for States to use to require 

 notification or closure of contaminated beaches, we also will need guidelines for 

 States to use in determining when recreational waters can be reopened based on 

 appropriate measurements of water quality. 



Floatables and Marine Debris 



Marine debris in our coastal waters has been a concern that we are 

 addressing at EPA, especially plastic debris and other floatable materials and we 

 are pleased to see it addressed in H.R. 31. We are currently working under the 

 Clean Water Act regarding the control of floatable debris from CSOs and 

 stormwater discharges. The Agency also has a number of actions underway to 

 assess, monitor, and control sources of marine debris. 



EPA has conducted field investigations of the land-based sources of debris 

 and prepared reports assessing plastics problems in U.S. harbors. To characterize 



