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sewer overflows. Preventing the pollution in the first place is the most important goal. 

 Our report also strongly recommends the creation of a National Beach Protection 

 Program which would provide a strong foundation for coastal water quality monitoring 

 and public health protection at our Nation's beaches. Such a program would establish 

 uniform beach protection standards, monitoring and public notification requirements, 

 assuring the pubhc a consistent level of protection. 



These goals would be substantially furthered by passage of the Beaches Environmental 

 Assessment, Closure, and Health Act of 1993 (H.R. 31). The legislation requires the 

 establishment of water quality standards based on the most accurate available indicator. 

 It also requires uniform monitoring methods, with monitoring frequency based on the 

 extent of recreational use of waters and their proximity to pollution sources. A public 

 right-to-know provision for posting and notification procedures for beaches with water 

 quality violations is included. The legislation also calls for research to be conducted to 

 identify more appropriate indicators for rapid and accurate detection of the presence of 

 pathogens in beach water. 



NRDC urges the Committee to take prompt action on this important legislation. Thank 

 you for this opportunity to testify and I would be happy to answer any questions you may 

 have. 



