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Managing America: Environment & Natural Resources

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Week Ending July 24, 2009

H.R.2093 To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to beach monitoring, and for other purposes.

The bill makes some eclectic changes the FWPA.

A technical change to existing law would replace the phrase `methods for monitoring' with `methods for monitoring protocols that are most likely to detect pathogenics.’ The change requires monitoring consistent with the performance criteria published by the Administrator, public notification, source tracking, sanitary surveys, and prevention efforts to address identified sources of contamination by pathogens and pathogen indicators in coastal recreation waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access that are used by the public.

Testing methods are modified to include the use of rapid testing methods after an evaluation and validation of a rapid testing method for the water quality criteria and standards for pathogens and pathogen indicators has been conducted. Rapid testing method means a method of testing the water quality of coastal recreation waters for which results are available as soon as practicable and not more than 2 hours after the commencement of the rapid testing method.

On a local level it is required that notification to the public about coastal recreation waters is publicly accessible and searchable on the Internet; is organized by beach or similar point of access; identifies applicable water quality standards, monitoring protocols, sampling plans and results, and the number and cause of coastal recreation water closures and advisory days; and is updated within 24 hours of the availability of revised information. Measures must ensure that closures or advisories are made or issued within 2 hours after the receipt of a water quality sample.

The Secretary must study grant distribution formulas for the purpose of identifying potential revisions. The Administrator shall consider the base cost to States of developing and maintaining water quality monitoring and notification programs, the States' varied beach monitoring and notification needs, including beach mileage, beach usage, and length of beach season, and other factors that the Administrator determines to be appropriate.

The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall conduct a study on the long-term impact of climate change on pollution of coastal recreation waters.

Sponsor:  Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6^th)

Vote: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

Cost to the taxpayers: `$60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013'.

Earmark Certification:  

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