[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 41 (Monday, October 16, 2000)]
[Page 2419]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal 
Health Act

October 10, 2000

    Today I am pleased to sign the Beaches Environmental Assessment and 
Coastal Health Act, which significantly strengthens efforts to make 
America's beaches clean, safe, and healthy. America's coasts are not 
only a natural treasure--they are also the number one destination for 
vacationing families, making their health vital to our Nation's tourism 
industry. Yet each year, pollution forces thousands of beach closures or 
health advisories. The Beach Act will ensure that in the future fewer 
families arrive at the beach only to discover that it is too polluted 
for fishing or swimming. It requires States to adopt enforceable 
standards for water quality, regularly test coastal waters for health-
threatening pollution, and notify the public of unsafe conditions. In 
addition, it provides assistance to States to carry out these efforts.
    This act builds on my administration's strong efforts to ensure 
healthier beaches and cleaner coastal waters, greater protection for 
endangered and threatened marine species, sound fisheries management, 
and support for marine protected areas. I urge Congress to fully fund 
ocean and coastal conservation programs for the coming fiscal year so 
that communities around the country may enjoy healthy beaches and clean 
waters for years to come.

Note: H.R. 999, approved October 10, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
284.