Project Grant 96268424

DESCRIPTION: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 ACT TO REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR THE BEACH GRANT. IT FUNDS THE RECIPIENT'S EFFORTS TO MONITOR WATER QUALITY AT DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL BEACHES IN NEW YORK 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 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 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:THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES $291,975 SUBAWARD ACTIVITIES RELATED TO BEACH MONITORING AND NOTIFICATION TASKS; SUBAWARDS TO NINE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, TWO DOH DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION. 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 BEACHES.