Environmental Assessment > BEACH Home > Program > Program Development

Program Development

Before the BEACH Program, Washington State did not have a consistent swimming beach monitoring program. The BEACH Program was developed as a response to the BEACH Act, which was passed by the US Congress in 2000. The Act amends the Clean Water Act by authorizing the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to appropriate funds to states to develop monitoring and notification programs. These programs will provide a more uniform system for protecting the users of marine waters. The Washington State Department of Ecology received the first grant in 2002.  EPA has supported 100 percent of the funding through the present.

Why don't we test freshwater beaches? 

The BEACH Act only authorizes money to be spent on monitoring saltwater swimming beaches.  At this time Washington State does not have a statewide freshwater swimming beach fecal monitoring program, but some counties test these beaches.  Check with your county health department to learn more. For freshwater algae (including toxic algae) data you can search Ecology's Toxic Algae Database.

How do we evaluate our program?

The BEACH Program is evaluated by state, county, and local authorities, as well as the public every November to ensure that we are providing the users of Washington's beaches a monitoring and notification program that is efficient and effective. We welcome comments year round. You can contact us.