Surfrider Foundation: MAKING WAVES

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Vote Adds Positive Note to Observation of Earth Day	B.E.A.C.H. Bill Approved by U.S. House of Representatives MAKING WAVES, June/July 1999

SAN CLEMENTE, California- Swept up in an overwhelming wave of bipartisan support, the Beaches Environmental Assessment, Cleanup and Health Act (H.R. 999- the B.E.A.C.H. Bill) was approved unanimously by the U.S. House of Representatives on April 22, 1999.
The bill was initially introduced to committee by Representative Brian Bilbray (Republican- San Diego, California) on April 15, 1999. It quickly passed the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, and the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. In what was considered a record-setting time of three minutes, the bill then unanimously passed in full committee- an actual bipartisan love fest.
As drafted, H.R. 999 will accomplish the following:

Set minimum standards for beach water quality;
Require the EPA to establish performance criteria for beach monitoring and beach closure notification programs across the country;
Require EPA to establish a national beach water pollution database that will let the public know where monitoring programs are in place and where beach waters are impaired.

     The bill requires states to meet minimum criteria for beach water quality and will establish nationwide monitoring and notification programs to warn beachgoers when the waters are contaminated with disease-causing pathogens. The bill also authorizes $30,000,000 for states to develop and implement the programs.
     The Surfrider Foundation will be following the progress of any companion bills introduced in the Senate and will continue to educate our members and the general public about the importance of having national water quality standards.

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