The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Friday that it will award $9.7 million in grants to protect public health at beaches nationwide.
The funds will be distributed to states, Tribes, and territories to enhance water quality monitoring at coastal and Great Lakes beaches and improve public notification systems when elevated levels of illness-causing bacteria pose a risk to swimmers.
“Millions of Americans will travel to the beach this summer to relax or play in the water. They will make lifelong memories and provide a boon to local economies,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Peggy Browne. “With $9.7 million from EPA, states and local authorities can help ensure that our beaches are open for business and that beachgoers can swim and splash without fear of getting sick.”
READ: “Water Quality Only” EPA Lays Down Law For States On Project Permits To Boost ‘Comeback’
This significant investment is authorized under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act. The EPA highlighted that this funding supports cooperative federalism and the crucial goal of ensuring every American has access to clean and safe water, aligning with the agency’s “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative.
The EPA anticipates awarding grants to numerous eligible recipients once all legal and administrative requirements are met. Notable allocations include:
- Florida: $499,000
- California: $498,000
- Texas: $382,000
- New York: $328,000
- Puerto Rico: $321,000
- Hawaii: $321,000
Several Tribal nations will also receive direct funding, including the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Grand Portage Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Makah Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation, and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, each receiving $50,000.
READ: EPA Unveils $30.7 Million Boost For Clean Water In Small And Rural Communities
To qualify for BEACH Act grants, applicants must have coastal or Great Lakes recreational waters with public access, maintain a water quality standards program, and have EPA-approved numeric recreational water quality standards for coastal waters.
Additionally, they must meet 11 performance criteria related to their monitoring, assessment, and notification programs. The grant amounts are determined based on factors such as the length of the beach season, miles of shoreline, and the population of coastal counties.
The EPA urges beachgoers to check the relevant state, Tribal, or territorial beach program website for any closure or advisory information before heading to the shore this summer.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
