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Congressional Research Service
Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Aug 25, 2000
Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000- Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require States having coastal recreation waters to adopt water quality criteria and standards for such waters for pathogens and pathogen indicators for which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency has published criteria guidance under such Act. Requires States to adopt new or revised standards for such waters after the Administrator publishes new or revised criteria.(Sec. 3) Directs the Administrator to complete studies for use in developing: (1) an assessment of potential health risks from exposure to pathogens in coastal recreation waters; (2) appropriate and effective indicators and appropriate, accurate, and expeditious methods for detecting or predicting the presence of pathogens in coastal recreational waters; and (3) guidance for State application of the criteria guidance for pathogens to account for the diversity of geographic and aquatic conditions. Requires the Administrator to publish new or revised water quality criteria guidance for pathogens in such waters for purposes of protecting human health.(Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator to publish performance criteria for: (1) the monitoring and assessment of, and specifying methods for monitoring, coastal recreation waters adjacent to public beaches for attainment of water quality standards for pathogens; and (2) prompt notification of local governments, the public, and the Administrator of exceedances, or the likelihood of exceedances, of standards for such waters.Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States and local governments to implement monitoring and notification programs. Lists requirements for such programs.Requires Federal agencies to develop such programs for coastal recreation waters adjacent to public beaches subject to their jurisdiction that protect public health and safety and meet the performance criteria under this Act.Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a national coastal recreation water pollution occurrence database; and (2) provide technical assistance for development of assessment and monitoring procedures for floatable materials in such waters.Requires the Administrator, with respect to States without monitoring and notification programs, to conduct such programs for coastal recreation waters adjacent to public beaches in such States.Authorizes appropriations.(Sec. 6) Treats Indian tribes as States for purposes of provisions of this Act regarding coastal recreation water quality monitoring and notification programs and grants.(Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
People & committees
Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] · D–NJ
Legislative record
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Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S9001-9002)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S9001-9002)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8998-9003; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S8998-9000)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 743.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Smith, of NH under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/26/2000 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-366.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Smith, of NH under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/26/2000 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-366.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 106-284.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2214-2215)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2213-2214)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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