EPA and Texas protect Beaches for Memorial Day Weekend (TX)
(DALLAS – May 25, 2011) With Memorial
Day Weekend right around the corner, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) is helping states continue to monitor water
quality at beaches by providing funding for beach monitoring. EPA
recently awarded Texas $200,913 to improve water quality at
beaches.
Texas General Land Office (GLO) is responsible
for continuous monitoring of beach waters in Texas. If bacteria
levels rise above EPA standards, GLO will notify the public not to
swim in the affected water.
The Beach Environmental Assessment and Coastal
Health (BEACH) Act allows EPA to assist beach managers with
providing consistent and accurate information about local beach
conditions. EPA estimates Americans make 910 million trips to
coastal areas each year, spending about $44 billion. A decade ago,
state and local monitoring notification programs differed across
the country. The BEACH Act is designed to consistently protect and
inform the public before swimming in beach waters.
Local governments and the state parks department
are responsible for openings and closures of beaches. EPA reminds
citizens to practice sun safety by wearing protective shades, a hat
and sunscreen when visiting beaches.
Additional information on EPA grants: http://www.epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm
More about activities in EPA Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html
EPA audio file is available at: http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/may2011.html
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