May 28, 2002 -- At the annual opening of the beaches in Wildwood, New Jersey, EPA Administrator Christie Whitman recently announced a grant of $285,719 to help protect public health at the New Jersey shore.
"As Americans head to the beaches this summer, we want to make sure they have a great and healthy time. That's what these funds will do," said EPA Administrator Whitman. "That is why EPA is providing $10 million this year to help states and territories monitor their coastal waters and keep beach-goers advised of water quality."
"It wasn't that long ago that annual beach closings in New Jersey approached 1,000. Now that has been reduced to just a handful and we want to keep it that way," said Whitman.
New Jersey is receiving the grant as part of funding available under the BEACH Act of 2000. A total of $10 million, announced earlier this year, is available to help 35 states and territories improve their water testing and notify the public of health risks during this summer season.
The $10 million in beach grant money is being given out in amounts from $150,000 to $530,893. The grants are based on criteria including the length of beach season, the miles of beaches and the number of people using those beaches. These grant funds are designed to ensure that the public receives better protection when enjoying various beaches across the country.
The BEACH Act of 2000 authorizes EPA to award grants to eligible states, tribes and territories to develop and implement beach water quality monitoring programs near coastal and Great Lakes recreational waters near beaches.
EPA estimates that Americans made a total of 910 million trips to coastal areas each year, spending about $44 billion. For more information, check out the beach grants website at: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/grants/.
