June 2002
 
Legislative Update
By Rep. Gerald Van Woerkom
 
Many tourists come to Michigan each summer to enjoy the Great Lakes and the more than 750 beaches our state has to offer. Many businesses along the coast are dependent on these summer tourists.  Therefore, making sure these beaches are safe and enjoyable to visitors is a top priority for the tourism industry and for the Michigan legislature.
 
In 2000, the United States Congress passed the Clean Water Act requiring states to develop beach-monitoring programs. Michigan currently has a program established by The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that utilizes public health departments to do the testing and monitoring. The DEQ requires public health officials to test the waters of public beaches for E coli after sewage overflows.
 
House Bill 4719, introduced by Rep. Birkholz would improve the public awareness of the current testing program.  It would require public health officials to notify the owners of the beach, the DEQ and the local municipality with the results of the test within 36 hours.  The owners would then be required to post signs in a visible location informing visitors that the water has been tested and where the results of the test can be viewed.  This will provide visitors with the assurance that our public beaches are safe for swimming.
 
Currently, this legislation has passed the House of Representatives and is on the floor in the Senate.  It is expected that they will vote on this issue very shortly.  By passing this legislation, Michigan will send a clear message to residents and tourists that our beaches are safe, clean and open for an enjoyable summer.