Frank Lautenberg: “today I am introducing the Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure, and Health (BEACH) Act of 1999, legislation which…”

“today I am introducing the Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure, and Health (BEACH) Act of 1999, legislation which would amend the Clean Water Act to require states to adopt water quality standards for coastal recreation waters and to notify the public of unhealthy conditions. I am pleased to be joined by Senator Torricelli, Senator Boxer, and Senator Lieberman in sponsoring this legislation. Mr. President, coastal tourism generates billions of dollars every year for local communities and beaches are the top vacation destination in the nation. A recent survey found that tourists spend over $100 billion in coastal portions of the twelve states that were studied. Travel and tourism to the beaches of the Jersey shore alone generates over $7 billion annually to local economies. Unfortunately, the increased use of the coastal waters at our public beaches and coastal parks for swimming, wading, and surfing can cause increased risk to public health if these recreational waters are not properly managed. Water pollution and water-borne bacteria and viruses from overflowing sewage systems can cause a wide range of diseases, including gastroenteritis, dysentery, hepatitis, ear, nose, and throat problems, E. coli bacterial infections, and respiratory illness.”