The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today, June 13, the allocation of $9.75 million in grant funding aimed at supporting coastal and Great Lakes communities in protecting beachgoers' health. This funding will assist states, Tribes, and territories in conducting water quality monitoring and public notification programs for their beaches.
"Every summer Americans flock to oceanside and Great Lakes beaches to enjoy recreation time with family and friends, making these important destinations as well as economic and tourism engines for our economy," said Acting EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. "Protecting water quality at beaches is a priority for EPA and with these grants we are helping our state, Tribal, and local partners monitor water quality to ensure it is safe for residents and visitors."
Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, the EPA awards grants to eligible state, Tribal, and territorial applicants to help them monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches. When bacteria levels are too high for safe swimming, these agencies notify the public by posting beach advisories or closings.
Since 2001, the EPA has awarded nearly $230 million in BEACH Act grants to test beach waters for illness-causing bacteria, identify pollution sources, and help notify the public. The 2024 grant allocations were influenced by three factors: the length of the beach season, the number of miles of shoreline, and the populations of coastal counties.
To be eligible for BEACH Act grants, states, Tribes, and territories must have coastal and Great Lakes recreational waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access used by the public. They must also have a water quality standards program and EPA-approved numeric recreational water quality standards for coastal waters. Additionally, eligible entities must meet 11 performance criteria for implementing monitoring, assessment, and notification components of the beach program.
The EPA’s 2024 BEACH Act grant funding will be allocated to various states, Tribes, and territories contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements:
EPA Region 1
- Connecticut: $206,000
- Maine: $254,000
- Massachusetts: $254,000
- New Hampshire: $194,000
- Rhode Island: $210,000
EPA Region 2
- New Jersey: $258,000
- New York: $315,000
- Puerto Rico: $319,000
- U.S. Virgin Islands: $302,000
EPA Region 3
- Delaware: $209,000
- Maryland: $258,000
- Pennsylvania: $214,000
- Virginia: $263,000
EPA Region 4
- Alabama: $260,000
- Florida: $478,000
- Georgia: $279000
- Mississippi: $256000
- North Carolina: $293000
- South Carolina :$289000
EPA Region 5
- Illinois :$232000
- Indiana :$205000
- Michigan :$260000
- Minnesota :$203000
- Ohio :$216000
- Wisconsin :$220000
- Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians:$50 , 000
- Grand Portage Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe:$50 , 000
- Keweenaw Bay Indian Community:$50 , 000
EPA Region 6
-Louisiana:$347 , 000
-Texas:$373 , 000
EPA Region 9
-American Samoa:$302 , 000
California:$477 , 000
Guam:$302 , 000
Hawaii:$319 , 001
Northern Mariana Islands:$303 ,001
EPA Region10:
-Alaska:$161029;
-Oregon;$235103;
-Washington;$280192;
-Swinomish Indian Tribal Community;$53676;
Learn more about the BEACH Act grants.
Check relevant state;Tribal or territorial beach program website closing advisory information particular beach .
