LANSING – State Representative Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City) this week introduced a resolution calling on Congress to increase the funding available to monitor the water quality at Michigan beaches, a key protection for the health and safety of Michigan residents and thousands of tourism jobs.
"Millions of people enjoy Michigan's beaches every year, from lifelong residents to first-time visitors from other states and countries," Mayes said. "Protecting and maintaining Michigan's coastlines is an absolutely essential part of promoting a thriving tourism industry and the tens of thousands of jobs that are part of that industry. Without renewed federal support, those jobs are at risk of disappearing. We must not let that happen."
The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, passed in 2000, provided funding to assist state and local programs to monitor water quality at coastal beaches and to notify the public of potential problems. This has allowed investigators to detect pollution sources and hasten the cleanup of beaches while protecting public health. However, Congress has appropriated only $10 million for the program, despite an authorization of up to $30 million. Because of this lack of funding, only 57 percent of beaches nationally are now monitored for water quality, and usually only on a weekly basis.
In July, the U.S. House voted to pass legislation that would reauthorize the BEACH Act and increase the annual grant levels from $30 million to $40 million. The Senate has yet to take action.
Tourism provides more than 193,000 jobs for Michigan residents and contributes more than 18 billion annually into Michigan's economy. That makes tourism one of Michigan's three largest industries, joining manufacturing and agriculture.
"Michigan is blessed to have over 3,000 miles of shoreline and 900 beaches on which families build memories that last a lifetime," Mayes said. "Protecting this part of our heritage is a something that requires a comprehensive effort – from local units of government all the way up to the federal level. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and join me in supporting our Great Lakes."