Rep. Mayes offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 151.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to increase funding available for beach water quality monitoring.

            Whereas, Beaches provide recreational opportunities for millions of people and support a thriving tourism industry. However, disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens from sewage and other sources can contaminate water at beaches and increase the risk of swimmers getting sick; and

            Whereas, Michigan has over 3,200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and more than 900 swimming beaches along those shorelines, but can only afford to monitor regularly water quality at less than 25 percent of those beaches. Swimmers at beaches without monitoring may be swimming in water that places their health at risk; and

            Whereas, The federal Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act of 2000 authorized funding to assist state and local programs that monitor water quality at coastal beaches and notify the public of any problems. This funding has been critical to maintain viable monitoring programs that protect public health, detect pollution sources, and increase public confidence in beach safety; and

            Whereas, The current funding for coastal states does not accurately reflect monitoring needs. Congress has appropriated only $10 million annually for 35 state and territorial programs despite an authorization for up to $30 million. Nationwide coastal states and territories have only been able to monitor water quality at 57 percent of beaches and generally only on a weekly basis; and

            Whereas, The BEACH Act authorization expired in 2005 and has not been renewed. Current congressional bills would reauthorize and increase potential funding for beach monitoring; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to reauthorize funding for the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act and to increase appropriations to levels sufficient for funding water quality monitoring at all coastal beaches; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.