EPA amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act in order to further improve water quality and protect public health at coastal recreational waters. As a result, the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act (BEACH Act) was signed into law on October 10, 2000. The BEACH Act provides funds for coastal and Great Lakes states to design and implement water quality monitoring programs. EPA awarded a grant to DES to implement the New Hampshire coastal beach monitoring program.
Purpose of the Act
The BEACH Act was designed to help states monitor their public beaches for disease-causing microorganisms and to notify the public when a potential health risk is present. Coastal and Great Lakes states may apply for funding to monitor recreational waters through this program. Each state must establish monitoring and notification programs that are consistent with the performance criteria in EPA's National Beach Guidance and Required Performance Criteria for Grants.
New Hampshire has 16 public beaches and recreational waters on its coast. These waters were classified using the guidance document referenced above. The New Hampshire Beach Program is currently using the grant money to monitor these waters, to educate the public about potential health risks at these waters, and to notify the public when a disease-causing microorganism is present and may pose a health risk.