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Water Quality | Archives for 2005 Beach Closure Workshops
Reducing and Preventing Beach Closures in New England Communities: Strateties for Detection, Correction, and Financing
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Overview
NEIWPCC and EPA New England co-hosted two workshops to provide tools and guidance for beach managers, state and local health officials, public works departments, park managers, town managers, and elected officials interested in reducing and preventing beach closures.
The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act (BEACH Act) of 2000 authorizes EPA to award grants to eligible states, tribes, and territories to develop and implement beach water quality monitoring and notification programs at coastal and Great Lakes recreational waters near beaches. The purpose of the grant is to improve water quality testing at beaches and help beach managers better inform the public when there are water quality problems. The first BEACH Act grants were awarded in 2001, and as a result EPA New England instituted the “It’s a Shore Thing Clean New England Beaches” initiative, which was designed to reduce beach closures at New England beaches.
These workshops are part of the Clean New England Beaches Initiative and will provide tools and guidance for state and local governments interested in reducing beach closures. Representatives from both marine and freshwater beach communities are encouraged to attend. Speakers will be from state and local communities who have experience in reducing beach closures.
For additional information, contact Susy King at NEIWPCC, 978-323-7929.