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8 



stimulate excessive growth of algae, creating algae blooms. The 

 natural decay of algae and other organic-rich materials from 

 sewage can deplete the dissolved oxygen in the water, creating an 

 environment detrimental to most forms of aquatic life. Suspended 

 solids can also interfere with fish respiration. Industrial 

 wastewater discharged from CSOs also introduces ammonia and toxic 

 chemicals that can persist in aquatic sediments and bioaccumulate 

 through the food chain through contaminated fish and wildlife. 



Any effort to focus attention on recreational beach safety, 

 particularly attempts to reduce floatables and the related sewage 

 wastes they represent, must necessarily look at the problem of 

 CSO's. We urge the Committee to link its efforts on beach safety 

 with initiatives being undertaken now as the Congress 

 reauthorizes the Clean Water Act. 

 Provisions in H.R. 31 to Reduce Floatable Debris 



The Center for Marine Conservation supports H.R. 31 

 provisions for beach testing, monitoring and public notice to 

 help protect public safety. 3y increasing public awareness of 

 the quality of coastal recreation waters, it is possible that 

 citizen action, including proper disposal practices, could help 

 improve the environmental quality of those waters. 



We support Section 3 of the bill, which calls for the 

 issuance of federal water quality criteria for pathogens in 

 coastal recreation waters to protect public health and safety, 

 including specific numeric criteria to reflect risks from short 

 term increases such as stormwater discharges . State standards 



