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

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 awarded $265,000 to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) under the Beach Monitoring and Notification Program Implementation Grants (CFDA 66.472) on December 1, 2025, for a one-year performance period ending November 30, 2026. This formula grant funds MDE's comprehensive beach monitoring and public notification program for Maryland's recreational beaches during the upcoming swimming season. The primary deliverables include bacteriological water quality sampling at designated recreational beaches, laboratory analysis of samples for fecal indicator bacteria and pathogenic organisms, issuance of public advisories and beach closures when water quality thresholds are exceeded, and submission of monitoring data and summary findings to EPA. MDE is required to comply with performance criteria established under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act to maintain eligibility for continued federal funding.

In addition to direct monitoring activities, MDE provides technical support to local health agencies and administers a statewide program ensuring consistency in water quality monitoring protocols. The grant supports sub-awards for water quality monitoring, laboratory analysis, and beach recreation risk notification programs. MDE disseminates water quality data to the public and local agencies to inform recreational swimming decisions, with beneficiaries including all Maryland residents and tourists utilizing the state's beaches. This initiative directly supports the reduction of disease outbreaks from waterborne pathogens associated with primary contact recreation at coastal and Great Lakes beaches.

This agreement funds the recipient's BEACH monitoring and notification program for the upcoming swimming season, including meeting criteria established by the beaches environmental assessment and coastal health (BEACH) act to remain eligible for the BEACH grant. IT funds the recipient's efforts to monitor water quality at designated recreational beaches in maryland and to notify the public when the waters exceed the BEACH notification threshold value for fecal indicator bacteria or any other pathogen indicators used by the program.activities:the activities to be performed include monitoring water quality for harmful pathogens at recreational bathing beaches, notifying the public of the sample results and associated risks, and issuing BEACH advisories or closures when water quality thresholds are exceeded. Under the grant, maryland department of the environment (MDE) must also submit this information to EPA, and author a summary report of their findings. MDE is required to meet performance criteria established by the federal BEACH act to remain eligible for future funding.subrecipient:subawards will support water quality monitoring, laboratory analysis and BEACH recreation risk notification programs among other efforts.outcomes:the primary deliverable for this program is the reduction of disease outbreaks from pathogens due to primary contact recreation at maryland beaches. This is achieved through MDE's routine water quality sampling and sanitary survey efforts. MDE will also provide technical support to local health agencies and administer a statewide program that ensures consistency in the performed water quality monitoring. MDE will also share data with the public and local agencies to inform the public of the safest times to recreationally swim. Other deliverables include the submission of water quality monitoring data to usepa. Beneficiaries of the program include all residents and tourists that visit maryland's beaches.