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To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to beach monitoring, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-2755| House 
| Updated: 5/26/2017
Frank Pallone

Frank Pallone

Democratic Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (1)
Scott H. Peters (Democratic)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Beach Act of 2017 This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise and reauthorize through FY2021 a grant program for monitoring, and notifying the public of, any pathogens in coastal recreation waters bordering public beaches. The bill reauthorizes through FY2021 the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000. The bill establishes requirements with respect to: (1) using rapid testing methods to detect unsafe levels of pathogens or pathogen indicators in such coastal recreation waters, and (2) notifying governmental agencies when pathogens exceed water quality standards. Those methods must provide testing results within four hours of receiving a sample. The applicable state or local government must communicate the presence of any pathogens within two hours of receipt of a water quality sample. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must assess state and local compliance with coastal recreation water quality monitoring and notification legal requirements and grant conditions. The bill limits federal share of grants to non-compliant state or local governments. The Government Accountability Office must review the EPA's compliance assessments and corrective actions. States with coastal recreation waters must adopt the most protective water quality criteria and standards practicable for pathogens. The EPA must: (1) update the national list of beaches that are used by the public regardless of the presence of a lifeguard within 12 months and biennially thereafter (currently, periodically); (2) study the long-term impact of climate change on pathogenic contamination of coastal recreation waters; and (3) study the impacts of excess nutrients on coastal recreation waters.
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Timeline
May 26, 2017
Introduced in House
May 26, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
May 26, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Jul 24, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 115-1622
Introduced in Senate
  • May 26, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • May 26, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.


  • May 26, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • July 24, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 115-1622
    Introduced in Senate

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • S 115-1622: A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to beach monitoring, and for other purposes.
Air qualityAquatic ecologyClimate change and greenhouse gasesEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsInfectious and parasitic diseasesMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarine pollutionOutdoor recreationSeashores and lakeshoresWater quality

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to beach monitoring, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-2755| House 
| Updated: 5/26/2017
Beach Act of 2017 This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise and reauthorize through FY2021 a grant program for monitoring, and notifying the public of, any pathogens in coastal recreation waters bordering public beaches. The bill reauthorizes through FY2021 the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000. The bill establishes requirements with respect to: (1) using rapid testing methods to detect unsafe levels of pathogens or pathogen indicators in such coastal recreation waters, and (2) notifying governmental agencies when pathogens exceed water quality standards. Those methods must provide testing results within four hours of receiving a sample. The applicable state or local government must communicate the presence of any pathogens within two hours of receipt of a water quality sample. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must assess state and local compliance with coastal recreation water quality monitoring and notification legal requirements and grant conditions. The bill limits federal share of grants to non-compliant state or local governments. The Government Accountability Office must review the EPA's compliance assessments and corrective actions. States with coastal recreation waters must adopt the most protective water quality criteria and standards practicable for pathogens. The EPA must: (1) update the national list of beaches that are used by the public regardless of the presence of a lifeguard within 12 months and biennially thereafter (currently, periodically); (2) study the long-term impact of climate change on pathogenic contamination of coastal recreation waters; and (3) study the impacts of excess nutrients on coastal recreation waters.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 26, 2017
Introduced in House
May 26, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
May 26, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Jul 24, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 115-1622
Introduced in Senate
  • May 26, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • May 26, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.


  • May 26, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • July 24, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 115-1622
    Introduced in Senate
Frank Pallone

Frank Pallone

Democratic Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (1)
Scott H. Peters (Democratic)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • S 115-1622: A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to beach monitoring, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Air qualityAquatic ecologyClimate change and greenhouse gasesEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsInfectious and parasitic diseasesMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarine pollutionOutdoor recreationSeashores and lakeshoresWater quality