188 



potential health risks even when monitoring shows that standards have been exceeded. 



The B.E.A.C.H. bill requires EPA to develop health-based water qualitv' criteria to 

 protect beachgoers and to issue regulations on procedures to monitor coastal recreation waters 

 based on: (1) how frequently a beach is used, (2) proximity of pollution sources, and (3) short 

 term increases of bacteria and viruses resulting from rainfall, malfunctions of wastewater 

 treatment works, or other causes. The States then have 3 years to promulgate their own health- 

 based standards or adopt EPA's minimum criteria. States are also required to post signs on 

 beaches notifying the public of potential health risks when water quality does not comply with 

 State coastal recreation water standards. Additionally, the bill requires EPA to develop 

 guidance on uniform assessment and monitoring of marine debris. 



We believe that it is in the best interest of the country to have a comprehensive and 

 effective national program to protect beachgoers from potential health risks of contact with 

 polluted waters. In addition, the economic impacts of polluted beaches must be considered, as 

 tourist spend billions of dollars annually visiting coastal counties and their ocean and bay 

 beaches.' The protection of beachgoers through cleanup of polluted waters and effective 

 monitoring is well worth the investment. 



Bv becoming a co-sponsor of this important legislation vou would help to install 

 narionally consistent standards, monitoring criteria, and closure notification requirements that 

 would protect beachsoers everywhere while ensuring that no state is at a disadvantage for taking 

 effective action. Thank you for your consideration of this legislation. Please feel free to 

 contact us if we can be of any assistance. 



Sincerely yours, 



Robert Sulnick 

 E.xecutive Director 

 American Oceans Campaign 

 Santa Monica, California 



Gary Magnuson 

 Vice President for Program 

 Center for Marine Conservation 

 Washington, DC 



Dawn M. Martin 

 Issues Director 

 American Oceans Campaign 

 Washington, DC 



Fred Felleman 

 Director of Northwest Office 

 American Oceans Campaign 

 Seattle, Washington 



Dale Shecker 



Editor 



California Diving News 



Torrance, California 



Ann Powers 



Vice President and General Counsel 

 Chesapeake Bay Foundation 

 Annapolis, Maryland 



Mimi McConnell 

 Executive Director 

 Coalition for Buzzards Bay 

 Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 



Mark Davis 



Executive Director 



Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana 



Baton Rouge, Louisiana 



