Beach Project Initiative
October 2007
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Introduction

The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) identifies coastal health as a challenge recognizing the significance of beaches to the economic well-being, health and quality of life of the region's citizens.  Contamination leading to beach advisories continues to be a concern in the Basin.  The GLRC calls for identification of sources of contamination and remediation.  Sanitary surveys and predictive modeling are a means to achieve these goals.  

Proposed Activities

 Interagency cooperation is essential for creating and improving the use of sanitary surveys and beach forecasting models. Several federal, state, local, and tribal partners who work together in the Great Lakes Beach Association are taking part in such efforts.

 The GLRC will increase this cooperation by supporting and encouraging the use of sanitary surveys and predictive modeling. This should accomplish several objectives:

• Enhance the science in this area;
• Allow officials to predict water quality more quickly and efficiently than current testing;
• Provide information; serve as models for beach managers to identify their own sources of contamination; and apply remediation measures to achieve safe water quality;
• Provide beach managers more accurate information to ensure advisories are in place when they should be and to avoid beach advisories when they are unnecessary; and
• Provide the potential to improve management of beaches that are not currently monitored. 

 Ultimately, the GLRC hopes to recognize and integrate sanitary survey tools and predictive modeling as a coastal health initiative to enhance the health of beaches along the Great Lakes to promote recreational activity and reduce risk to human health. 

 Proposed Schedule

• October 2007 - Great Lakes Beach Association Conference to consider results from summer work on sanitary surveys and predictive models.
• November 2007 - Caucus of Federal, State, Local, and Tribal representation to identify key elements of sanitary surveys and predictive models.
• January 2008 - Federal, State, Local, and Tribal representatives begin developing materials for distribution and prepare distribution strategy. 
• April 2008 - Complete preparation of materials.
• May 2008 - Announce effort, distribute materials, and initiate.
• June-August 2008 - Utilize sanitary survey tools and predictive models.
• October 2008 - Conference to evaluate progress.