Frank Lautenberg: “I rise to introduce the Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure, and Health [BEACH] Act of 1996. Mr. President…”

“I rise to introduce the Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure, and Health [BEACH] Act of 1996. Mr. President, coastal tourism generates billions of dollars every year for local communities nationwide. Moreover, our coastal areas provide immeasurable benefits for millions of Americans who want to build sand castles, cool off in the water, take a walk with that special someone, or just relax. New Jersey's tourism sector is the second largest revenue-producing industry in the State. Without a doubt, the lure of my State's beaches generates most of this revenue-- over $7 billion annually. Mr. President, alarmingly, this heavily used natural resource can actually pose a threat to human health if it is not properly managed. Studies conducted during the past two decades show a definite relationship between the amount of indicator bacteria in coastal waters and the incidence of swimming-associated illnesses. Viruses are believed to be the major cause of swimming-associated diseases--gastroenteritis and hepatitis are the most common ones worldwide. And because an individual afflicted with these diseases is contagious to others in his or her household, the risk of sewage-borne illness does not end with the bather. Additional diseases that can be contracted by swimmers include an infection caused by the toxigenic bacteria E. coli--the bacteria found in Jack-in-the-Box hamburgers which caused an outbreak of illnesses a few years ago.”