WASHINGTON — No other state acts more forcefully than New Jersey to protect swimmers
from polluted beach waters, according to a study of 10 coastal states released yesterday.
"Only New Jersey mandates that beaches close if tests indicate that the bacterial concentration standard has been exceeded," the Natural Resources Defense Council said.
More than 228 New Jersey beaches, mainly in the north, were closed last year due to high concentrations of human and animal fecal bacteria in the water, the group said.
