Monitoring season begins at Wis. beaches
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Going to a Wisconsin beach and want to know its water quality?
Local governments monitor the latest conditions at 120 Lake Superior and Lake Michigan beaches and they will be updated through the Web site www.wibeaches.us
Swimmers can also find information for more than 100 inland beaches in Madison, La Crosse County, Waukesha County and Winnebago County.
Under the uniform beach monitoring program administered by the state Department of Natural Resources, counties test beaches up to four times a week for E.coli bacteria.
Wisconsin was the first state to fully implement a monitoring program with federal criteria. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has called it a model for other states.
Jun 17, 2009 at 12:09 p.m.
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If you trust the government to tell you what levels are safe, then you can enjoy not utilizing the beaches. I try not to buy into the hysterical fear mongering that we are constantly force-fed today. I've been to the beach at Indiana Dunes, and at New Buffalo Michigan many times, and never once gotten sick.
This is yet one more example of the government making a "problem" where none exists that they can "solve" so as to look like they are actually doing something worthwhile.
Jun 17, 2009 at 10:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
"Indiana beaches on Lake Michigan were closed because of water quality concerns 111 times in 2007, nearly twice as often as in 2006, according to a report by an environmental group."
http://chestertontribune.com/Environment...
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As you can see, all states test their beaches (and the beaches under the National Park System are tested by federal monitors). What's mind boggling is that someone would object to testing the water for safety that they are planning to swim in. Maybe you like getting gastroenteritis and throwing up constantly for two weeks as a bonus continuation of your vacation? Maybe you secretly look forward to the bonding experience of taking your child to the emergency room?
Jun 17, 2009 at 9:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
Could this be the reason that Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan have thriving beach-centered tourist industries, and Wisconsin does not? I drive to Michigan City, IN to go to the beach, because I never know whether the beaches here in Wisconsin will be open or not. Ridiculous use of Government resources, resulting in less tax dollars for the very same government. Mind Boggling.
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