Defining Marine Debris
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the US Coast Guard recently proposed a definition of “marine debris” to include in the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act. The Act’s purpose is to “assess, reduce, and prevent marine debris and its adverse impacts on the marine environment and navigation safety” to solidify a federal Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Program.
COA submitted comments to ensure the proposed definition accounts for all possible forms and sources of marine debris. A broad, inclusive definition will also help ensure adequate funding for the program, make waters safe for navigation, and protect marine life from trash and waste.
Garbage Washes-up on NJ Beaches
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Garbage - including syringes, plastic tampon applicators, "sewage cakes," and household trash -- washed ashore Labor Day weekend 2007 and the week thereafter, appalling beach-goers from Normandy Beach to Seaside Park, NJ. The bulk of the debris washed-up in the Normandy Beach area, closing area beaches on Sunday and Monday of that weekend. This garbage wash-up is the largest seen at the Jersey Shore since the late 1980s.
Other reports that same weekend showed the garbage slick was 20+ miles, with a boater reporting a large amount of debris off Belmar. Just two days later, debris was washing up further down the coast in Cape May County.
Two Clean Ocean Action staff members were at Normandy Beach as the debris floated-in with the waves and piled-up on the beach, and caught these photos:
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All photos taken in Normandy Beach by Emily Hackett The whitish-gray clumps are "sewage cakes" or "grease balls," which are masses of soap, oil, grease, and other waste that builds up in combined sewer overflow (CSO) pipes and washes out during rain events. These clumps, which resemble dirty styrofoam, are contaminated with bacteria and should not be touched. | ||||
This recent garbage wash-up is an alarming indicator that a program established to control debris floating from NY/NJ Harbor failed. Debris from combined sewer overflow (CSO) pipes in northern New Jersey cities and the five boroughs of New York City can bring both untreated sewage and rainwater runoff from streets and parking lots to waterways in this region with between one tenth (0.10) and one quarter (0.25) of an inch of rain. This means litter, pesticides, fertilizers, as well as items from toilets, sinks, and showers -- sewage, in general -- are dumped without treatment into our rivers and bays, which lead to the ocean.
The New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program Floatables Action Plan (FAP) is a multi-federal and state agency program that monitors for garbage slicks to prevent trash from escaping the harbor and fouling area beaches. The program is the responsibility of the US Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 office and US Army Corps of Engineers, as well as the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, NY City Department of Environmental Protection, and the US Coast Guard. If the program was properly implemented, the recent garbage slick would have been identified from routine surveillance by helicopter and cleaned-up by boats that skim debris off the surface of harbor waters. Every year, Clean Ocean Action fights to ensure that proper funding is provided for FAP for the NY/NJ Harbor.
The Labor Day week wash-up shows flaws in the FAP that must immediately be addressed by the responsible agencies. For many years, organizations, agencies, and officials have proposed solutions to combined sewer overflows (CSOs). It is essential that these solutions be implemented without delay to prevent further harm to marine life, our waterways, and the industries that depend on a clean ocean, such as tourism and fishing.
The Floatables Action Plan must be held accountable, and identifying what went wrong and fixing the problems are key.
Thanks to the concern and quick action of local citizens, including two Clean Ocean Action staff members, this garbage wash-up was promptly and effectively reported to the appropriate agencies and authorities. This is a great example of how citizens can help report environmental problems and crimes: “If you see it, report it.”
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Trash, or "floatables," wash up on our nation's beaches. |
Marine Debris Bill
Effort to Reduce Debris in Our Oceans
A bill to address the problem of debris in the ocean, “The Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act” (S.362, H.R. 3692), was introduced in US Congress earlier in 2005. The bill establishes a Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to “reduce and prevent the occurrence and adverse impacts of marine debris on the marine environment and navigation safety.”
COA was invited by US Representatives Gilchrest (R-MD-1) and LoBiondo (R-NJ-2), at the request of US Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-6), to testify before a joint legislative hearing of the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Ocean and the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on September 29, 2005. COA was the only environmental group in the nation to be invited to provide oral testimony.
COA presented information on the successful implementation of the Floatables Action Plan, which is a marine debris control program currently operating in the NY/NJ region. This regional program relies on multi-agency cooperation to identify and recover debris before it leaves NY/NJ Harbor, and to remove slicks and debris from area beaches.
COA also provided written testimony to members of each Subcommittee.
Click here for a press release on this issue.
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