All News Releases By Date

 

EPA’S WHITMAN ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION FOR STATES TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AT BEACHES

Release Date: 03/18/2002
Contact Information:



Environmental News

EPA Administrator Christie Whitman today announced $10 million in grants available to eligible states and territories to protect public health at this nation=s beaches. The funds are targeted to improve monitoring the quality of water at beaches and notifying the public of beach warnings or closings.

AOverwhelmingly, beaches are one of America=s top vacation locations,” Whitman said. “With this money we hope to reduce the risk of exposure to disease-causing microorganisms in the water while people enjoy our incredible water resources.

AWe are committed to providing assistance to states, tribes and local health agencies to better monitor the quality of water at our beaches and notify the public when there may be a problem,@ Whitman continued.

State and local monitoring and notification programs often differ across the country and provide varying levels of swimmer protection. These grant funds are designed to insure that the public receives equal protection when it travels to various beaches across the country.

Available to 35 eligible states and territories, the grants vary from $150,00 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.

Beach tourism is a significant economic driver for local communities. EPA estimates that Americans make a total of 910 million trips to coastal areas each year, spending about $44 billion.

Additional beach information, including information for states and territories interested in applying for the grants, is available on EPA=s beach Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches.

For the State or Territory of: The year 2002 allocation is:

Alabama $263,142

Alaska $150,000

American Samoa $302,288

California $535,643

Connecticut $226,389

Delaware $211,339

Florida $530,893

Georgia $288,490

Guam $302,775

Hawaii $325,149

Illinois $248,615

Indiana $206,670

Louisiana $383,287

Maine $259,742

Maryland $276,068

Massachusetts $260,691

Michigan $287,556

Minnesota $204,631

Mississippi $258,028

New Hampshire $204,918

New Jersey $285,719

New York $366,030

North Carolina $306,721

Northern Mariana $303,462

Ohio $227,879

Oregon $230,342

Pennsylvania $226,953

Puerto Rico $335,862

Rhode Island $214,225

South Carolina $300,253

Texas $387,957

U.S. Virgin Islands $303,488

Virginia $282,355

Washington $274,034

Wisconsin $228,396

R-44 ###