Friday, April 15 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Session 9: Restoration and Remediation of Beaches 163 ------- U.S. EPA's 2016 Recreational Waters Conference Developing and Implementing a "Healthy Beaches Action Plan" Sarah U'Ren The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay Abstract The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay (TWC) is a nonprofit organization based in Traverse City Michigan, whose mission is to advocate for clean water in Grand Traverse Bay and protect and preserve the bay's watershed. In 2007, TWC drafted an Action Plan for Healthy Beaches in response to growing public concern over bacterial contamination at local beaches. TWC and local partners realized that the qual- ity of life in the Grand Traverse region and the health of the local economy are inextricably linked to the health of our water resources. The action plan proposed a series of actions to reduce the levels of E. coli at area beaches in three phases. Phase 1 was taking immediate steps such as ordinance development, public education, and behavior change. Phase 2 out- lined plans for a detailed sanitary survey and source tracking study. Phase 3 involved imple- menting stormwater controls once the sources of contamination were more accurately defined. Since then, TWC has worked with a locally formed Beach Stakeholders Group to implement portions of the action plan. These efforts include bacteria monitoring, source tracking work at local beaches, education via advertising and social media, and large-scale best management practices at beaches to reduce bacterial contami- nation. This presentation will discuss elements of the Action Plan for Healthy Beaches, describe the collaborative process in the Grand Traverse region for protecting public health at beaches, and outline major milestones since the inception of the Healthy Beaches Program. Biosketch Ms. Sarah U'Ren has served as the pro- gram director for The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay (TWC) for the past 14 years. She is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all watershed projects and grant activities at TWC and has 16 years of experience in watershed project management, research, and fieldwork. Ms. U'Ren authored the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan, specializes in beach and stormwater management and stormwater- related restoration activities, and has overseen more than 60 grant-funded projects in her ten- ure at TWC. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Alma College and her master's degree in environmental science from the University of Maryland. 164 ------- Day Three: Session 9 Developing and Implementing a "Healthy Beaches Action Plan" Sarah U'Rp.n, Program Director The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay &31-935-1IP4, snren@gtbay.org The Watershed Center advocates for clean water in Grand Traverse Bay and acts to protect and preserve the Bay's watershed . I - GRAND TRAVERSE BAY Our Mission: Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Grand Traverse Bay Waters hod "a 973 square miles 32 Miles of Shoreline Quality of Life Local Economy Beaches and tourism are key source of economy in Grand Traverse Region TWC's E.Coli Monitoring Program • Background - Watershed Center has monitored local beaches for E.coli bacteria since 2001 - Tests taken weekly throughout swimming season: Memorial Day - Labor Day - Partner with Health Departments TWC's E.Coli Monitoring Program • 2006: Health Dept. changed their procedure for notifying the public of beach contamination • - Increase in notifications - Received a lot of media attention - After a number of posted advisories at area beaches, citizens called upon community leaders to 'do something' ¦i _ I '' 165 ------- U.S. EPA's 2016 Recreational Waters Conference "Swimmers Should Tak£ E.Coli Warnings Seriously" W(7117 Editorial) "Beach Contamination Must Be Addressed" ' • (9/5 Editorial) "E.Coli Ruined My Summer" (Quote from Letter the Editor in TC Record Eagle) I "... I will never swim in the Bay again" (Qtintf fmm P/?% nrtiAe titM¦ "V. CMr levels in hny vintrhe/l") "Living and Dealing With E.Coli" (0/2 Pomm Article fy SOS Analytical tab biairagcr) .. NW Michigan's future is directly tied to the environment, what is, was, and will continue to be our Golden Goose..^ (9/10 Rill O'Rrifn Column) "City Officials Tackle Beach-Related Issues" B (QQ5Art$e) Starting Our "Healthy Beaches Program" • TWC and Grand Traverse Health Dept formed Stakeholder Group in 2007 to meet periodically and discuss beach issues Monitoring plans - Outreach strategies - FutQre efforts - Funding - Reporting • Members include: - TWC County and City officials - Health Department officials - National and State Park officials » - Water Quality I ah Bcack Stakeholder Group Meeting March2016 }• Group drafted 'Action Plan for Healthy Beaches' in 2007 Action Plan for Healthy Beaches Phase 1: Ordinances, Public Education, and Behavior .Change Phase 2: Detailed Sanitary Survey and Source Tracking Phase 3: Stormwater Controls Phase l — | Ordinances, Public Education, and Behavior Change Phase i — Ordinances, Public Education, Behavior Change • Ordinances: - Prohibition on feeding waterfowl (passed in Traverse City) - Require dog owners to pick up after their pets - Better monitoring and enforcement on boat sewage tanks Wattr Onality Monitoring and Notification Sign at Traverse City beach Phase 1 — Ordinances, Public Education, Behavior Change • Public Advisory System - On-site Signage Level 1: No tag - F Coll levels meet MHFQ swimming standards for full hody contact Level 2: Yellow tag - E Coli levels meet MUhU standards tor wading, fishing and boating. Contact above the waist is not advised Level 3: keg tag - b. Coll levels exceed MDEQ standards; no body contact is advised Level 4: Reg tag Health Alert - Excessive E. Coli levels and/or known | gross contamination; avoid any kind of contact with beach waters 166 ------- Phase 1 - Ordinances, Public Education, Behavior Change • Public Education - Signage GRAND I RAVE R5E BAY WATE.Rtti&a Dig in and help us ke< our beaches healthy Phase 1 - Ordinances, Public Education, Behavior Change r Phase 1 - Ordinances, Public Education, Behavior Change Public Education - Advertising and Marketing Campaign - Local'newspapers - Public restrooms - Social media Don't be a Potty Animal at the Beach Make bathroom breaks your #1 & #2 priorities gtbay.org Phase l - Ordinances, Public Education, Behavior Change Phase l - Ordinances, Public Education, Behavior Change • Public Education - Advertising and Marketing Campaign Radio advertisements - Don't Feed the Ducks: ' what goes in must come out. droppings contain E.coli and other harmful bacteria that lead to beach closings . ' - Healthy Beaches #1: Litter/animal waste in trash, don't feed ducks and seagulls - Healthy Beaches #2 . Dispose of boat/RV waste properly, maintain septic, don't dump oil in storm drains "We all love Grand Traverse Bay's beautiful beaches. When we all do our part, our reward is Healthy Beaches!" rn h • Public Education - Behavior Change - Placing 'doggie bag' dispensers on beaches, parks, and trails - Pavement cleaning practices at local marinas (waterfowl droppings getting into water) Behavior change can include waterfowl too! Phase 1 - Ordinances, Public Education, Behavior Change Meet Piper, a border collie who patrols the Traverse City airport to chase away birds and geese to reduce wildlife hazards during takeoff and landing. Pliuio a wdil vw»w.ain»jtlk9 vra 167 ------- U.S. EPA's 2016 Recreational Waters Conference Phase l - Ordinances, Public Education, Behavior Change • Public Education - Grand Traverse Water Safety Task Force r r • - Community alliance formed in ?013 - Purpose: Improve the overall health/safety of regional public beaches and prevent drownings - Members: Health Depts.; Coast Guard; Aocal hospitals, schools, and law enforcement agencies; Red Cross, County Park and Rec., TWC Example uf mltr rm station with signage - 42 installed so far Three primary focus areas: - Water Safety Outreach - Water Quality/Beach Safety Equipments Signage - Water Safety Classes Phase •j.- t Detailed Sanitary Survey and Source Tracking Phase 2 - Detailed Sanitary Surveys and Source 1'racking • Sanitary Survey - What is it? Evaluate£each and surrounding area for existing and potential pollution sources and safety hazards affecting water quality, with a focus on fecal contamination . Helped us to: • ID priority locations for water testing • ID sources of bacterial contamination ; Assess the magnitude of pollution • Identify stonnwater as a problem and conduct stonm event testing - Levels of E.coli from storm drains VERY high Phase 2 - Detailed Sanitary Surveys and Source tracking • Source Tracking - Where is fecal contamination coming from? - Illicit,connections? - Leaks in Sanitary Sewer? (wastewater and storm water separate systems) - Large congregations of waterfowl? - Animals in storm drains? - Dog poop? Important to identify source so you can begin to work on next steps • Each source requires a different management plan Phase 2 — Detailed Sanitary Surveys and Source Tracking • Source Tracking - Laboratory Analyses Partnerships with research agencies (MSU and USGS) - Samples taken in 2009/2010 - results at least 6-9 months later - Analyzed for human pathogens and gene markers - Requires water samples (wet-weather sampling for stcym drains) - MSU project cost $50,000+ (our cost - $10,000) MSU grail sludciit (ahiiig n a(« s«uii|>lc TWC staff taking water samples for USGS Phase 2 — Detailed Sanitary Surveys and Source Tracking • Source Tracking - Canine Teams - Trained to detect human sewage - Samples 'sniffed' up storm drain line, can.pinpoint sources • - Can be done in dry weather - Results immediately - Cover a lot of ground quickly - Our cost < $8,000 168 ------- Phase 3 - | Stonnwater Controls Phase 3 - Stormwater Controls • Stormwater Remediation BMPs Right-Above: Underground infiltration trench installed at Bryan! Park uting GT.RT funds Right-Below: Bioretcntion basin Left: Pervious pavement system installed at local hospital parking lot Low I mpact Development - decrease amount of runoff reaching piped systems, as well as provide treatment Above: Anti-nucrobi installed at East Bay CLRI funds Left: Oil'grit separator un installed at parking lot ne; brarli; debris ciinlainrd in after large raiiislurui Phase 3 - Stormwater Controls • Stormwater Remediation BMPs - End-of-pipe filters - Oil/grit separators Phase 3 - Stormwater Controls mist! >RAl!( I" - Goal; Protect public health at beaches Concept: Utilize LID/green infrastructure to reduce runoff before end-of-pipe • 18 rain gardens • 3.600 ft of underground infiltration trenches • Constructed wetland outlet Installation completed Fall 2013 $987,000 Project Highlight: Suttons Bay Stormwater Remediation Proiect BMP System: Installation of rain gardens [before, during, and after) BMP System: Educational Rain Garden Signs 169 ------- U.S. EPA's 2016 Recreational Waters Conference 'Friends of the Rain Gardens" Volunteer Group • Formed in 2015 • Main Tasks: Water, weed, trash removal, annual removal of dead materials • Met with Master Gardener for advice • Very successful! All rain gardens have been 'adopted' and are being cared for by volunteers. 170 ------- f*"! Day Three: Session 9 J iL2a E. coli Decrease in Southern and Western Lake Michigan: Management, Meteorology, or Mussels? Richard Whitman, PhD formerly with U.S. Geological Survey Abstract The BEACH Act of 2000 encouraged wider and more frequent fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) testing of beaches throughout the United States. More frequent data have provided better health protection for swimmers. With the accumula- tion of nearly 15 years of data and remote sens- ing, the second major benefit of the program can now be realized in the identification of longer term water quality trends. Trends in water qual- ity could be attributed to three major factors or their combination: (1) changes in management practices including remediation and restoration, (2) food web changes, and (3) climatic changes. We explore these trends in Lake Michigan (i.e., in Illinois; Racine, Wisconsin; and Door County, Wisconsin) and Lake Erie (in Cuyahoga County) and discuss some of the factors that might account for observed changes. In gen- eral, mean FIB decreased from 2000 to 2015 in southern and western Lake Michigan (p< 0.05). Mean FIB populations were correlated with climatic trends, barometric pressure differential, increased temperature, and wind vector values, but seasonal trends contradict any sugges- tion of climatic effects on long-term trends. No evidence suggests that local management or restoration contributed to long-term regional trends in FIB concentration. The strongest trend relationships were found between invasive dreissenid mussels (Bivalvia), in situ transpar- ency ship monitoring, and remotely sensed water clarity and FIB in Lake Michigan, but not in Lake Erie. While it is known that dreissenid mussels can efficiently consume FIB directly, it appears that decreases in FIB are more directly related to increased water clarity and resulting photo-inactivation of FIB in Lake Michigan. Neither FIB nor water clarity decreased in Lake Erie. Biosketch Dr. Richard Whitman is the retired sta- tion chief and a research ecologist at the Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station at the Great Lakes Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey. He received his doctor- ate in wildlife and fisheries science from Texas A&M University. He was an associate professor at Indiana University Northwest for 10 years and served as chief scientist for Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore for 6 years before becom- ing the chief of the Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station, where he has been for the past 19 years. Previously, he worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on spacecraft sanitation and environmental hygiene. Dr. Whitman is a recognized expert on the occurrence and distribution of indicator bacteria in temperate beaches. His scientific con- tributions include descriptions of new species, identification of new invasive indicator bacteria and descriptions of novel non-enteric sources of indicator bacteria (e.g., temperate beach sand, soil, and algae), and development of modeling paradigms for recreational water quality. 171 ------- U.S. EPA's 2016 Recreational Waters Conference Turbulence and Triumph: Tackling the Complex Challenges Related to Healthy Beaches Kathleen Bell, PhD University of Maine School of Economics Abstract Maine's coastal tourism industry contrib- utes billions of dollars annually to the regional economy yet the coastal environment it depends on is vulnerable to a variety of factors, including pollution and climate change. Unsafe bacteria levels degrade ecosystems and threaten human health and coastal economies. Maine Healthy Beaches (MHB) provides a unified, quality- assured structure to monitor water quality and inform the public of coastal beach water quality conditions. However, timely and accurate assess- ments of pathogens and associated public health risk are difficult. Further, pollution sources are often varied and difficult to address. In response to complex challenges, MHB seeks the expertise of external partners to improve program effec- tiveness. A diverse advisory committee sup- ports program improvements and compliance with evolving U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements. Applied research partner- ships have been formed to help improve beach management decisions and program initiatives. Since 2013, MHB has partnered with the New England Sustainability Consortium (NEST) project, a collaborative effort among universi- ties and colleges in Maine and New Hampshire focused on strengthening the scientific basis for decision-making and improving the manage- ment of beaches and shellfish beds. NEST blends sustainability science with a range of disciplines to tackle problems related to impaired coastal water quality. This work includes examining the role social feedback processes play in beach recreation and management decisions, as well as reducing the frequency and magnitude of closures. Data from recent surveys of coastal residents and beach managers in the two states will be shared, underscoring the value of a clean beach experience. Biosketch Dr. Kathleen Bell is a professor in the School of Economics at the University of Maine. She received her bachelor of arts degree in economics and environmental studies from Bowdoin College in Maine and her master of arts and doctoral degrees in economics from the University of Maryland. She gained an appreciation for the complexities of water qual- ity management working as an economist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC. In 2001, Dr. Bell joined the faculty at the University of Maine, where her research and teaching emphasize the use of markets, information, and technology to sup- port decision-making. She has studied water and land management issues in the Mid- Atlantic, Pacific Northwest, and New England regions of the United States. Dr. Bell's main research interests include coupled human and environmental systems, private and public decision-making, nonmarket valuation, and land-use change. As a co-principal investigator of the National Science Foundation-funded New England Sustainability Consortium (NEST), she is researching challenges and opportuni- ties for beach management in Maine and New Hampshire. 172 ------- Day Three: Session 9 Turbulence and Triumph: Tackling the Complex Challenges Related to Healthy Beaches U.S. EPA's Recreational Waters Conference April 15, 2016 New Orleans, Louisiana nm ik'i \i ¦ i !¦'- r'v oj' ¦ .* Kathleen P. Bell j MAINE Keri Kaczor University of Maine University of Maine School of Economics ' Cooperative Exten Maine's Healthy Beaches WELCOME TO MAINE The Way|Beaches Should Be 60 Beach Management Areas asar* Funding provided by: US EPA/Maine PEP MAINE Water Quality Monitoring, Assessment, & Notification MAINE 1 CONTAMINATION ADVISORY Biotoili lovels Waler contacl li not «dvlt«4. Diverse Partnerships: Building Local & Regional Capacity 173 ------- U.S. EPA's 2016 Recreational Waters Conference Program Challenges More Partnerships: Engaging With Researchers MAINE Healthy Beaches MSe NewEngland SusTainability Consortium n MAINE Mobilizing the collective capacity of New England universities and colleges to strengthen connections between science and decision making. . ¦' ' . ¦ : ( Collaborative research model CODEF//Vf r w i) ' . :V, ' Source: Hart et al. (2015) Complexity of Water Systems "If " ••' ||' | r " A ik fk | | Source: Smith et al. (2016) 174 ------- Day Three: Session 9 Improving Understanding of Watersheds Digging in: excessive seaweed accumulation 175 ------- U.S. EPA's 2016 Recreational Waters Conference Learning from coastal residents Engaging with surfers Fie 3. Responses to the question, 'for how many years have you been visiting an ocean beach in New Hampshire/Mainer Mnrpthan ISyean 9-13 ycaij 6-8 years SK 1 p<« than J ye a fx I—1 6* ¦ » l» ¦ New Hampjlilre ¦ Maine "If an ocean beach is inviting then a Maine beach is downright magical. It offers a combination of varying weather condition, rugged beauty, and solace that few places can. Maine ocean beaches are generational and therefore timeless in the minds of many repeat visitors. It allows New Englanders a chance to smell the salty air and crisp water on their feet without having to drive a long way." Fig 70. Responses to two questions asking if respondent* would rhange their behavior or opinions of a beach it they saw signs indicating excellent or poor water quality. Sgns ndicatrg poof water quaity - Signs indicating enrsllent water — 176 ------- Day Three: Session 9 Fie 21. Select comments to the question: How would it! "If this were a beoch that I went to often and it "Depends if there wxjs, jay, a one lime event - sewer main break, fir ex. Or if it were in regard to gfrynjuerillv QiVitm thing. Frequently occurrmo woiM cmac mc to go chcwhcrc" "...If the pollution wot monmodo, I would plan to quality. Ibve in Maryland and the main reason I travel over five hundred miles to WelJor vocation weononoet niverona tne great surf conditions." wouldnt sway my opinion of the beoch since a change in Quality might be brought on by nature.' "-It can happen to any beoch. Would stop visiting that hpnrh if thx hemme* n wfwnt iwtf* "Actually saw this for the first tone this summer at ouiduful ilmtKuilL-iiuwuvtM iliui fxiimului beach after heavy roins...in qenerol our beoches npfwnr rlenn ujpnthorhrings turhiHity nnrl nhvny* "iflsawsians that showed low water ouaSty. I /umwledye ui WuHls Sutids unU I ms upfiuHud tiiut the cityAown was not doing a better job about Deocnogain.- if I hod just done it only to find there is a water "I wouldnt go in the water ond it would be a less phnvmt dny I wouldn't gn tn thnt henrh ngnin' "I wouldn't wont to oo swimming or let the kids "It would arms m> out. I wouldn't enjoy my -toy" "I would oroboblv decide tonotao there for a few ifuullty uf Hie mitei befijie' Engaging with Program Participants eatei piuLctliun u( public health riOURE 11. Beneflteawnilrig lu tuinmuiiKlei and paifo fiwn paHltlpallng In the Maine Healthy Boaclw Program Engaging with Program Participants lnt*r*itMi In piihllr Ivxlth | Enjoy helping m munlty , *park Kartot my job Enjoy learning about beaches Can Midi utli coastal water quality io Hoalthy Boxhet Prograi Supporting precautionary rainfall advisories MAIWI- 1 S? He^llhy Beaches Long if,, K H.rth . & ' 4 Supporting new risk assessment & communication approaches I Welcome! • ¦ This beach i:- ¦ part of the Maine Healthy Reaches Program. 177 ------- Strengthening partnerships to keep Maine beaches healthy ! Acknowledgements l"V TVv'r^ rtfll University of JVl A1JN L Now Hampshire -urn. DBS usm MOTION MAINE BEST ¦! £3 u Acknowledgements Special thanks to NEST colleagues: Abigail Kaminski, Kate Beard, Sean M Smith, Steve Jones, Caroline Noblet, Emma Fox, Jane Disney, Tom Safford,Shannon Rogers, Sophia Scott, Isaac Leslie, FrankXu, Bridie McGreavy, John Peckenham, Brianne Suldovsky, Margaret Snell, Damian Brady, and Kelly Cole. Informing the design of new communication approaches viARNINO © 178 ------- f*"! Day Three: Session 9 J iL2a The Multidimensional Benefits to Beach Remediation and Restoration Greg Kleinheinz, PhD University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh Abstract Being able to provide healthy water to beachgoers is considered a universal desire of communities throughout the United States. How we get to that point, however, is often not well understood. With increased monitoring of recreational waters, due in large part to the BEACH Act and allied research, local commu- nities are identifying demonstrable sources of contamination that can be remediated at local beaches. These sources range from small storm- water inputs and overland flow to beach areas, to combined sewers and cross-connections dis- charging directly to the beach. The results from the source identification work around the Great Lakes area suggest that the majority of contami- nation in the 40 locations to be discussed is of local origin, presenting the local community with an opportunity to invest in the beach as a resource for the entire community. This invest- ment is not only important as a social equity issue for communities, but also as an economic driver for coastal communities. This presenta- tion will discuss a multiyear, stepwise group of projects that took more than 50 locations from microbial source identification, to mitigation plan development, to beach reengineering and pollution mitigation. Examples will be provided with an emphasis on the approach, process, challenges, and overall success of the projects. Costs associated with each redesign plan and unanticipated challenges will be discussed in several case studies. Finally, both the intended and unintended benefits to the communities will be explored. Biosketch Dr. Greg Kleinheinz received his bach- elor of science degree from Northern Michigan University and his doctorate from Michigan Tech University. Dr. Kleinheinz serves as the Viessmann Chair for Sustainable Technology, director of the Environmental Research and Innovation Center, and professor of envi- ronmental engineering technology at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He is a registered sanitarian and has over 18 years of experience in working on water and wastewa- ter issues. Dr. Kleinheinz and his beach group currently are conducting beach monitoring and/ or research in 10 Wisconsin counties and three Michigan counties, with a summer research group of more than 20 students working at more than 100 beaches. Their research interests include application of qPCR monitoring meth- ods to remote locations, investigating novel sampling techniques, the impact of Cladophora on nearshore water quality, sanitary survey tool development, rainfall impacts on E.coli, patho- gens and viruses in recreational water, and a variety of molecular source-tracking meth- ods to aid in fecal input mitigation and beach management practices. Using these research and investigative tools, Dr. Kleinheinz and his group have conducted over $8 million of beach research projects, including reengineering more than 50 locations for the treatment of nearshore water pollution sources. 179 ------- U.S. EPA's 2016 Recreational Waters Conference Question & Answer Session Question 1 (Unknown): My question is for Sarah U'Ren. Were FIB [fecal indicator bacteria] levels compared before and after these treatments? Answer 1 Sarah U'Ren: Yes, we've done about three different remediation projects and we're in the middle of testing East Bay Park to see if there is a difference in FIB levels. It's hard to test in low impact developments, but for beaches where we have done installations we have seen some difference: a decrease in advisories at East Bay Park. We have great water quality in our area though, so our exceedances might have gone from 3 to 1. After high rain we see high levels, but for normal levels it's not much of a problem. Question 2 Adam Mednick: My question is for Richard [Whitman]. Another control variable that is relevant in the Great Lakes is water level. Gull populations, too. Did you use that in that 15-year data set, and, if so, what did you see? Answer 2 Richard Whitman: For water level, that is easy to document because the Army Corps of Engineers measures it regularly. Water level has been relatively stable over 12 years, which is significant at a beach. We don't have bird data. It would be very interesting if we did, and I would love to see it from others. Question 3 Adam Mednick: For Greg [Kleinheinz]. Out of the beaches you showed, I know it's anecdotal, but which is the most successful for reductions in advisories? Answer 3 Greg Kleinheinz: For most beaches we work on closure rates that are already only 2 or 3 per- cent. There are some that are closed 40 percent of the time. Right Arrow in Manitowoc prob- ably offers the most bang for your buck Question 4 Phil Scanlan: Did the improved water clarity come from the mussels? Answer 4 Richard Whitman: The mussels have caused problems in the Great Lakes, and I am not say- ing for now we should keep mussels for better water quality, but it is an ecological event. Regardless of whether it's mussels or birds, the phenomena has occurred. Question 5 Phil Scanlan: For Greg [Kleinheinz]. Can we take that $50 loss per beachgoer and look at loss beach days per year, and use that to justify more funding? That would help. Answer 5 Greg Kleinheinz: There are 30 beaches by us that are within 30 minutes of each other. So, it's not that people don't go near us if one is closed; instead, they just pick a different beach. Answer 5 (follow-up) John Wathen: The economic driver is there but it's hard to feel sometimes. It's hard to get a dollar amount aggregate. It's complicated. 180 ------- Day Three: Session 9 Question 6 Richard Zepp: For Greg [Kleinheinz]. Every 20 years or so in the Great Lakes the water levels go up. What are the changes around that? My question is about Red Arrow Beach and their water input— Manitowoc is very proud of building that. Is there an impact to water quality coming from that? Answer 6 Greg Kleinheinz: We can try to treat everything coming out of the pipe but it is hard to do that. We have seen some inputs to ponds being flushed back out to the beach after a rain event, so a lot of work can be done upstream in the city They want to do that, and I wish they could go quicker, but they're working on it. 181 ------- |