AOC’s Ted Danson Urges Senate To Pass B.E.A.C.H. Bill

Mirror Staff

   On Earth Day, April 22, 1999, the United States House of Representatives passed the B.E.A.C.H. bill, HR-999. The American Oceans Campaign (AOC) is now pressing the Senate to approve the Senate version of the bill. 
   On July 22, Ted Danson, an actor and AOC president, testified before the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee in support of both the Senate and House B.E.A.C.H. bills. Introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Representative Brian Bilbray (R-CA), the bills address the problems of inconsistent beach water quality testing and public notification practices across the nation. 
   Danson said, “A day at the beach shouldn’t end with a trip to the doctor...This summer, thousands of adults and children will swim, snorkel, surf or wade in beach waters that, unbeknownst to them, are contaminated by disease causing micro-organisms, These pathogens can cause a variety of illnesses, ranging from gastroenteritis, hepatitis, and various ear, nose, and throat infections." 
   According to the AOC, states and localities that test water quality at their beaches, closed beaches more than 7,000 times in 1998 due to the presence of bacteria and viruses from stormwater pollution, polluted runoff from streets, overburdened sewage treatment facilities and malfunctioning septic systems. Currently, only nine states comprehensively test their beach waters and notify the public when this sort of contamination occurs. 
   The United States Environmental Protection Agency has recommended beach water quality criteria, however many states use weaker standards or do not test their waters on a regular basis. In addition, states that do test their waters do not always alert the public when conditions are unhealthy. 
   Danson told the Committee, "The nation needs health and safety measures in place where we enjoy the ocean firsthand -- at the beach, The B.E.A.C.H. bills will ensure that states have adequate beach testing programs to protect people from health risks, while allowing states flexibility in determining beach closures or imposing stricter standards." 
He went on to urge the Senate to "catch the wave" and pass the B.E.A.C.H. bill promptly.