$2 million OKd to test seawater

The State Water Resources Control Board unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to spend roughly $2 million over the next two fiscal years to test ocean water for harmful bacteria. The action was taken at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s request after he eliminated state funding for the program in his September budget cuts. Without the money, some coastal counties would have had to reduce or halt analysis of seawater to ensure its safety for beachgoers.

-- Susannah Rosenblatt