Political Quotes

“my amendment will allow the public to know if a State or local government receiving funds from this act has been successful in its efforts to identify the source of the pathogenic pollution. The problems created by contaminated surface waters are real. The health risks of swimming in water contaminated with biological pathogens are now well studied. Several studies on surfers, for example, show that the closer the swimming spot is to a sewer or storm water outfall, the higher the risk for walking away with gastroenteritis, respiratory infection, ear infection, salmonellosis, dysentery, skin rashes and pink eye. The risks are economic as well. Many coastal communities rely heavily on tourism for their local economies. Swimming, boating and fishing all generate significant revenues. Great Lakes boaters spend more than $2 billion per year. Fishing brought in $4.5 billion in 2002. Lake Erie alone generates $2.5 billion annually in tourism revenue. With the discharges that cause elevated pathogen levels come more than just pathogens. Raw sewage also contains a host of other chemicals, like lead and unmetabolized prescription drugs. When sewage makes its way into our waterways, it can affect us directly. Lake Erie provides drinking water for approximately 11 million people. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the samples taken at Cuyahoga County beaches on Lake Erie in 2006 exceeded standards between 7 percent and 50 percent of the time.”