Sykes-Led BEACH Act Advances in Committee as Part of Major Water Protection Package

Sykes-Led BEACH Act Advances in Committee as Part of Major Water Protection Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) today announced that the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, bipartisan legislation she co-leads to protect public health and water quality at beaches, advanced out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as part of the American Water Stewardship Act.

The American Water Stewardship Act is a comprehensive bipartisan package that strengthens EPA programs focused on water quality, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience across the country, including critical investments in the Great Lakes.

"Clean water is essential to public health, local economies, and the quality of life in our communities. Advancing the BEACH Act and Great Lakes investments means safer beaches, healthier waterways, and stronger local economies in Northeast Ohio and across the country," said Rep. Sykes.

The package includes the BEACH Act, which reauthorizes an EPA grant program that helps states and local governments monitor water quality at coastal recreational waters and notify the public when conditions are unsafe. The legislation also expands the program to allow communities to identify sources of contamination.

The American Water Stewardship Act also includes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025, for which Rep. Sykes is an original cosponsor. The initiative supports efforts to restore habitats, improve water quality, and protect the largest freshwater system in the world.

In addition, the bill reauthorizes several EPA geographic programs, including the Long Island Sound Program, Columbia River Basin Restoration, San Francisco Bay Restoration Program, and the National Estuary Program.

The American Water Stewardship Act now moves to the full House for consideration.