This agreement funds the recipient's BEACH MONITORING program for the upcoming swimming season, including meeting performance criteria established by federal beaches environmental assessment and…

The Texas General Land Office received a $382,000 Formula Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 under the Beach Monitoring and Notification Program Implementation Grants (CFDA 66.472), effective September 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027. This award funds the recipient's beach monitoring program for the swimming season, supporting water quality surveillance at designated recreational beaches throughout Texas in compliance with the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act of 2000. The primary deliverables include bacteriological water quality monitoring data submissions, public notification actions when bacteria levels exceed established thresholds, advisory issuances and beach closures when necessary, and an annual summary report submitted to the EPA. The program's objective is to reduce swimmer illness by providing residents and tourists with bacteriological information to make informed beach visitation decisions.

To implement the Texas Beach Watch Program, the Texas General Land Office allocated FY 2025 funds to four sub-awardees beginning September 1, 2025, for a 12-month performance period: the City of Corpus Christi Public Utilities Division, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Lamar University-Beaumont, and Galveston County Health District. These sub-awardees conduct water quality testing at recreational bathing beaches, finalize interlocal agreements with local governments and universities, and coordinate monitoring activities through designated laboratories. The program is consistent with National Beach Guidance standards and requires coordination with the EPA regarding public notification processes, data submission requirements, and opportunities for public review and comment on program modifications.

This agreement funds the recipient's BEACH MONITORING program for the upcoming swimming season, including meeting performance criteria established by federal beaches environmental assessment and coastal health act (BEACH) to remain eligible for the BEACH grant. IT will fund the recipient's efforts to monitor water quality at designated recreational beaches in the state of texas and to notify the public when the waters exceed the BEACH notification threshold for bacteria.activities:the activities to be performed include MONITORING water quality for pathogens at recreational bathing beaches, notifying the public of the sample results and risks, issuing advisories or BEACH closures when water quality levels are exceeded, submitting information to environmental protection agency (EPA), and providing the public opportunities to review and comment on the program, especially whenever significant changes are made to the program. The recipient's program will be consistent with national BEACH guidance published at the time of grant award.subrecipient:finalize interlocal agreements with local governments and universities to continue implementation (MONITORING) of the texas BEACH watch program as required by the BEACH act of 2000. FY 2025 funds will be allocated to various labs for testing beginning 09/01/2025 for a period of 12 months.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include submissions of water quality MONITORING data, public notification actions, and an annual summary report. The objective of the program is to reduce swimmer illness by providing the public with bacteriological information so they can make informed decisions about which beaches to visit. Beneficiaries of the program include all residents and tourists that visit the texas beaches.