- Grants are available for the protection of beaches.sandy beach scene on pensacola beach image by Edward Cooper from Fotolia.com
Each year, there are over 2,300 federal and state grants available on the state and federal level, representing about $500 billion in governmental assistance. Twenty-six federal agencies provide grants in 21 categories, ranging from disaster relief to food and nutrition. Because the nation's beaches are a vital public resource and economic stimulant, several grants meant to improve beach and water quality are available. - For the past decade, the Environmental Protection Agency has earmarked almost $10 million in grant funds each year for monitoring water quality along the nation's shorelines. Thirty-seven coastal and Great Lakes states are eligible for these funds. In addition to monitoring water quality, these grants help states provide citizens and beach visitors with vital information about the quality of the water they swim in. Since 2001, the EPA has awarded more than $90 million in beach and water quality grants.
- The U.S. Department of Defense has authorized its Corps of Engineers to develop projects that control beach erosion. Grant restrictions dictate that such projects will protect public beaches and cannot affect the health of swimmers or add pollution to the water. Each state shares in the cost of each project above a $2 million threshold. States are also responsible for maintaining facilities that serve the beaches, such as roads and parking areas.
- In addition to federal grant programs, states and local governments offer various grants to improve the quality of beaches and surrounding water. For example, the Board of Harbor Commissioners of the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles established the San Pedro Ports of Clean Air Action Plan in 2006. This program accelerates the availability of new technologies that measure water pollutants. The goal is to lessen emissions and improve the water quality of nearby beaches.
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