Beach Project Initiative
Progress Report – February 2008
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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 and threats to public health continues to be a concern in the Basin. The GLRC calls for identification of sources of contamination and remediation. The use of tools like sanitary surveys is a way to achieve these goals.

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 and further the objectives of the GLRC Strategy by supporting and encouraging the use of sanitary surveys and education on predictive modeling throughout the region. This support and encouragement will take the form of a targeted campaign focused on the standard sanitary survey tool (piloted during the summer of 2007) as well as education on predictive modeling.

Status

The GLRC Beach Initiative workgroup has been established with delegates from the agencies represented on the GLRC Executive Subcommittee and the Great Lakes Beach Association. The first meeting will be held in early February. The group will work to develop the package of materials to be distributed on sanitary surveys and predictive models as well as the distribution strategy. The group will target distribution by the end of April to ensure beach managers receive the information in time to consider it for implementation at their beaches.

Timeline

• October 2007 – Great Lakes Beach Association Conference to consider results from summer work on sanitary surveys and predictive models.
• January 2008 – Establish GLRC Beach Initiative workgroup.
• February 2008 – GLRC Beach Initiative workgroup develops materials for distribution and prepares distribution strategy.
• March 2008 – Complete preparation of materials.
• April 2008 – Announce effort, distribute materials and initiate.
• May - August 2008 – Utilize standard sanitary survey tool and predictive models around GL Region.
• October 2008 – GLRC Beach Initiative workgroup reconvenes to evaluate project.