West Coast Marine Debris StrategyWest Coast Governors Alliance on Ocean Health

Marine Debris Action Coordination Team October 2013

ExecutiveSummary

Marinedebrisisaglobalproblemimpactingtheenvironment,commerceandhumansafety.Marinedebrisisgeneratedbysocietyinmanywaysincludingproduction,manufacturing,transportationanddistributionofproducts,carelesslitteringandpoorsolidwastemanagement,aswellaslossoffishinggear(McIlgormetal.2011).Despitethevarietyofsourcesandtheglobalnatureoftheissue,marinedebriscanbeefficientlyaddressedregionallyandlocally.

TheWestCoastGovernorsAllianceonOceanHealth(WCGA)MarineDebrisActionCoordinationTeam(MDACT)hasworkedcloselyandcollaborativelyoverthepastthreeyearstodevelopaMarineDebrisStrategy(theStrategy);anon-prescriptive,regionalframeworktoidentify,assess,prevent,andreducemarinedebrisalongtheWestCoast.Thisdocumentcharacterizestheproblemofmarinedebris,laysoutthegoalsandobjectivesofthestrategy,identifiesbarriersandchallenges,givessuggestedactionsforland-baseddebris(LBD),derelictfishinggear(DFG),andcross-cuttingissues,highlightsseveralprojectstofacilitaterecommendedactions,andcreatesatimelinefordeliverablestobecompleted.

RecognizingthedifferentcircumstancesandprioritiesacrosstheWestCoastregionandtheneedforflexibility,theStrategyadoptsaperformance-based,non-prescriptiveapproachtowardsmeetingitsgoalsandobjectives.Oncetargetmilestonesareestablished,preventionandreductionmeasurestoreachthesemilestonescanbeachievedthroughchoosingidentifiedactionsthatworkbestforthespecificproblemandfortheenactingindividualororganizationandanyoftheirpartners.Thisapproachallowsindividualsandentitiestoleveragetheirownresourcesandchooseactionitemsthatsuittheirneedsandprioritieswhilestillachievingthegoalofmarinedebrisreduction.

TheStrategyaimstoreduceandpreventmarinedebrisonabroaderscalethroughaddressingvarioustopicssuchasland-baseddebris,derelictfishinggearandcrosscuttingissuesacrosstheWestCoast.TheStrategy’smainobjectivesinclude:preventingmarinedebrisfromenteringtheoceanorlitteringbeaches;maximizingrecoveryofmarinedebrisintheoceanoronbeaches;reducingandpreventingthenegativeimpactsofmarinedebris;andenhancingexistingeffortsthroughcommunicationandcollaborationamonginterestedpartiesontheWestCoast.Toachievetheseobjectives,theStrategyalsoincludesatoolboxofkeyactionsthatmaybeimplementedcollaborativelyorindividuallyonaWestCoast-widebasis:assessingbaselineconditionsformarinedebris;settingmeasureabletargetsforimprovements;establishingadatabasetoascertainbaselinemarinedebrisquantitiesand

ThegoaloftheStrategyistoaddressmarinedebrisanditsimpactseffectivelyandinaprioritized mannerbyfacilitatingactionandcollaborationamongCalifornia,OregonandWashington, federalandtribalgovernments,academia,industry,andnon-governmentalorganizationswithan ultimatevisionofzerodebrisenteringthemarineenvironmentfromland,andzeroimpactfrom debrisenteringthemarineenvironmentatsea.

activities;monitoringprogress;encouragingresearchtoidentifyproblemsandpotentialsolutions;implementingcost-effectivemethodsforremoval;andpromotingstewardshipthrougheducationinallaspectsofmarinedebrisprevention,reduction,andremovalactivities.

Theoverallobjectiveforland-baseddebris(LBD)istoreducetheamountandimpactofdebrisenteringtheoceanfromland-basedsourcesalongtheWestCoastthroughgreaterreductionofmaterialthathasthepotentialtobecomemarinedebrisandpreventionofmaterialenteringtheoceanthatislikelytobecomemarinedebris.ProposedrecommendedactionsforLBDalongtheWestCoastinclude:reduceandpreventthequantityofdebrisenteringtheocean;buildstrongpartnershipswithindustries;workwithwastemanagementmunicipalities;andsupportimprovedenforcementofexistinglawsthataddressmarinedebris.

Theoverallobjectiveforderelictfishinggear(DFG)istoreducetheamountandimpactofderelictfishinggearalongtheWestCoastthroughlossprevention,gearmodificationtoreduceimpactsiffishinggearislost,andsurveysforandremovaloffishinggear.Proposedrecommendedactionsare:buildstrongrelationshipswiththefishingindustry,managementindustriesandrelevantmaritimeentities;assesstheDFGlocationsandaccumulationsonthewestcoastandprioritizeinformationgaps;identifyandaddressbarrierstominimizeDFGanditsimpacts;removeDFG;andevaluaterelevantpolicies,rulesandlawsbeneficialordetrimentaltoachievingDFGgoalsandobjectives.

Crosscuttingissuesaretopicsthatmultipleentitiesareworkingonatthesametime.Encouragingcollaborationandfosteringpartnershipsonthesecrosscuttingissuesallowsorganizationstoworktowardsaclear,commonobjectivewithoutduplicatingefforts.TheStrategyidentifiesfourcriticalcrosscuttingissuesinparticular:datamanagement,research,informationsharing,andeducation.RecommendedactionsfordatamanagementarecreatingandpromotingtheuseofastandardizedbeachcleanupdatacardforLBD,andutilizingatri-statedatabase.Forresearchandinformationsharing,recommendedactionsincludepromotingresearchopportunities,andinformationsharingamongparticipants.Finally,recommendedactionsforeducationincluderesearchandcompilecurrentandpasteducationalmessagesandcampaignsonmarinedebris;developaworkinggroupthatwilldevelopeffectiveeducationalmessagesaboutmarinedebris;createauniformmethodfordisseminatinginformation;workwithexistingoceaneducationandawarenessgroupsandorganizations;andencouragecommunityinvolvementthroughincentiveprograms.

TheflexibleapproachtocarryingoutproposedrecommendedactionsoftheMarineDebrisStrategyallowsforthesuccessfulachievementoftargetmilestonesthroughvariousmeans.However,methodsforreachingtargetmilestonesarelesscriticalthantheneedforsettingandachievingthetargetsbywhatevermeanschosen.ThisstrategywillalsobeahelpfulblueprintfortheWestCoastinpromotingincreasedcollaborationandpartnershipstoeffectivelypreventandreducemarinedebris.

TableofContents

Introduction............................................................................................................................................1

CharacterizationofProblem.............................................................................................................1Source..........................................................................................................................................................1Amount........................................................................................................................................................2Impacts........................................................................................................................................................3Vision...........................................................................................................................................................4Goal.............................................................................................................................................................4Objectives....................................................................................................................................................4

ApproachofthisStrategy...................................................................................................................5

PrioritizationCriteriaforRecommendedActions....................................................................5

WestCoastMarineDebrisAlliance.................................................................................................2

Ocean-basedDebris.............................................................................................................................2

BarriersandChallenges.....................................................................................................................2Funding........................................................................................................................................................2Policy...........................................................................................................................................................2LackofDataandInformation......................................................................................................................3

RecommendedActions........................................................................................................................3Land-basedDebris.......................................................................................................................................3DerelictFishingGear....................................................................................................................................5RecommendedActionsforCross-CuttingIssues.........................................................................................6FutureOpportunities...................................................................................................................................9

Timeline................................................................................................................................................10

References............................................................................................................................................11

APPENDIX.............................................................................................................................................13CurrentProjectstoFacilitateActions........................................................................................................14

1

Introduction

InSeptember2006,theGovernorsofOregon,WashingtonandCaliforniasignedtheWestCoastGovernors’AgreementonOceanHealth(WCGA),whichtaskedagenciesofthethreestatestoworkcloselywithfederalpartnersandadditionalstakeholderstodevelopaboldsetofactionstoprotectandmanageoceanandcoastalresourcesalongtheentireWestCoast.Marinedebriswasidentifiedinthe2008WCGAActionPlanunderPriorityArea1:CleanWaterandBeaches.Action1.4assertsthatthethreestateswill:

Aregional,multi-statepartnershipisbeneficialforaddressingmarinedebrisbecausetheWestCoastispartofthesamelargemarineecosystemandisintrinsicallyinterconnected.Furthermore,marinedebriscanhaveimpactsthatcrossjurisdictionalandpoliticalboundaries.TheMarineDebrisActionCoordinationTeam(MDACT)wasformedin2008,andtheirWorkPlan1identifiesseveralworkproductsincluding;1)aMarineDebrisStrategy,2)aregionalMarineDebrisDatabase,and3)theWestCoastMarineDebrisAlliance.TheMDACTiscomprisedofrepresentativesfromstate,federal,andtribalgovernments,non-governmentalorganizations,academiaandindustry.ThiscomprehensiveMarineDebrisStrategyaimstoidentify,assess,prevent,andreducemarinedebriswhileleveragingexistingresourcesandexpertisealongtheWestCoast.MDACTmembers,invitedexperts,andobserverscametogetherduringthreeworkshops2todiscussderelictfishinggearandland-baseddebrisandtoidentifygapsanddeveloprecommendationsfortheStrategyandAlliance.

CharacterizationofProblem

Source

Marinedebrisisaglobalproblemimpactingtheenvironment,commerceandhumansafety.Marinedebrisisgeneratedbysocietyinmanyways,includingproduction,manufacturing,transportationanddistributionofproducts,carelesslitteringandpoorsolidwastemanagement,aswellaslossoffishinggear(McIlgormetal.2011).Themaintypesofdebrisincludeplastics,glass,metal,polystyrene(Styrofoam),rubber,wood,derelictfishinggear,andderelictvessels(FanshaveandEverand2002).Anestimated60to80percentofallmarinedebrisand90percentoffloatingdebrisisplastic(Derraik2002).Themajorityofmarinedebrisoriginatesonland,andthesourcesincludeindustrial1The2010WorkPlancanbefoundathttp://www.westcoastoceans.org/media/Marine_Debris_Final_Work_Plan.pdf2AllthreeworkshopproceedingscanbefoundontheWCGAMDACTwebsite:http://www.westcoastoceans.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.display&pageID=81

EstablishbaselineestimatesofmarinedebrisandderelictgearofftheWestCoastandset reductiongoals. Supportstateandfederalpoliciesforachievingmarinedebrisreduction goals,includingdebrispreventionthroughexpandedrecycling,improvedtrash maintenance,andenforcementoflitterlaws.

2

outfalls,landfills,littering,dumping,andpoorwastemanagement(Derraik2002).Debrisfromocean-basedsourcesarisesfromcommercialfishing,shippingandoilsectors,andfromrecreationalboatingandmilitaryvessels(FanshaveandEverand2002).Derelict(orabandoned)fishinggear(DFG)includesnets,lines,crabandshrimptraps/potsandotherrecreationalandcommercialharvestequipmentthathasbeenlostorabandonedinthemarineenvironment(WashingtonDepartmentofFishandWildlife2011).

Ocean-baseddebris(OBD)isdebristhatoriginatesfromactivitiesthattakeplaceinthemarineenvironmentsuchasvessels(merchantshipping,ferries,cruiseliners,fishingvessels,andrecreationalvessels),offshoreoilandgasplatformsanddrillingrigs,andaquacultureinstallations.Thistypeofdebrisisalsoincludesdebristhatisindistinguishablefromland-baseddebris(e.g.,plasticbottlesandothertypesoflitter)anddebristhatisspecifictomaritimeactivities(e.g.,buoys,lines,lostcargo).OncethedebrisenterstheNorthPacificGyre,asystemofrotatingcurrents(Figure1),floatingmarinedebriscanbetransportedovervastdistances.Overtime,plasticdebrisbreaksdownintosmallerandsmallerpiecescalledmicroplasticsandstaysinthemarineenvironmentcausingharmfulimpacts(Arthuretal.2009).

Amount

Whilethereisnocomprehensiveglobalorregionalabundanceassessmentofmarinedebris,itisestimatedthatworldwide,approximately6.4milliontonsofdebrisreachestheoceaneachyearandaround8millionitemsarediscardedintotheseaeveryday(UNEP2005).TheOceanConservancycurrentlymaintainsthemostcomprehensivemarinedebrisdatabasethroughdatafromInternationalCoastalCleanupDay,aneventthatoccursinternationallyonceayearinSeptember.BasedontheOceanConservancy’s2011database,879,096itemswerepickedupinWashington,Oregon,andCaliforniaduringCoastalCleanupDay.Californiahad598sitesandthehighestnumberofitemscollectedat854,496.Oregonhad85siteswith8,911itemscollected,andWashingtonhad14cleanupsiteswith15,689itemscollected.

Regardingderelictfishinggear,WashingtonStatehasfacedsignificantproblems,especiallyinPugetSoundduetolegacyheavycommercialfishingcombinedwithrockysubstrateandstrongtidalcurrents.TheWADepartmentofFishandWildlifeestimatesthat117,000items,weighingapproximately2.6millionpounds,laybeneaththesurfacewatersofPugetSoundandHoodCanal.

Figure1.ImageofNorthPacificGyre(NOAAMarineDebrisProgram)

3

Since2002,NorthwestStraitInitiativeandotherentitieshaveremovedthousandsofderelictnetsandcrabpots.InOregon,theDepartmentofFishandWildlifeusedAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentfundingtoremoveover3,000derelictcrabpotsaswellastonsofline,cableandbuoysin2009and2010.TheCaliforniaLostFishingGearRecoveryhasretrievedmorethan45tonsofgearfromCalifornia’scoastsinceMay2006.

Thesourceandamountofmarinedebrisvariesthroughtimebasedontheweatherandseasonalchanges.Forexample,duringtherainyseason,moremarinedebriscanwashdownfrominlandregions,whileinthesummermonths,highernumbersofbeachusersleavemoredebrisonthebeaches.Furthermore,thereisalsoanincreaseinthenumberofabandonedorlostfishinggearduringpeakharvestingseasons.

Impacts

Marinedebriscanhavenegativeenvironmental,economic,andpublichealthimpacts.Environmentalimpactscausedbymarinedebrisincludeentanglement,trapping,ingestion,anddegradationofhabitat.Entanglementoccurswhenmarineorganismsgetcaughtindebris,suchaslostfishinglinesandnets.Entanglementcancausewounds,impairmobility,increasevulnerabilitytopredators,andstranglemarineorganisms(U.S.CommissiononOceanPolicy2004).Marinedebrisalsodegradesmarinehabitatscausingdirectabrasionofsensitivehabitat,obstruction,blockingsunlightandpreventinggrowthofflora(Derraik2002).Inaddition,floatingdebriscancarryandintroducenon-nativespeciespotentiallyleadingtothealterationofhabitatsandecosystems(Derraik2002).Ingestioncanoccuraccidentlyorwhenanimalsmistakemarinedebrisfortheirnaturalfood.Ingestingplasticscanclogthedigestivesystemleadingtostarvation,leadtoinjuriesandinfections,interferewithbreathing,andcanaccumulatetoxinswithintheanimal’sbodyleadingtoreproductivefailureordeath(Derraik2002).

Impactsfrommarinedebriscancarryassociatedeconomiccosts.Forexample,submergedorfloatingdebrisposesnavigationalhazardsandcanresultinvesseldamage.Furthermore,marinedebriscandamageboatswhenpropellersbecomeentangledonlinesorenginesstallwhenplasticbagsaresuckedintointakepipes(U.S.CommissiononOceanPolicy2004).Otherdirectcostsincludethenecessitytoconductcleanups,streetsweeping,andrescueentangledmarinespecies.Therearealsoindirectcostsassociatedwithlossopportunitycostssuchasareductionintourismandrecreation,fishing,developmentandhumanhealth(Ofiara2001).

Top10MarineDebrisItems1. Cigarettesandcigarette

filters2. Plasticbeveragebottles3. Plasticbags4. Caps/lids5. Foodwrappers&

containers6. Cups,plates,forks,knives

&spoons7. Glassbeveragebottles8. Straws&stirrers9. Beveragecans10. Paperbags*Source:OceanConservancy.TrackingTrash:2011Report.

4

Notably,plasticisthemostcommontypeofmarinelitterworldwide.Globally,theproportionofplasticamongmarinedebrisrangesfrom60to80%(Derraik2002).Sourcesofplasticarevariedandincludebeachgoers,improperdisposaloftrashonland,stormwatersewers,ships,andothervessels,industrialfacilitiesandoffshoreoilandgasplatforms(Gordon2006).Becauseoftheirbuoyancyandpersistence,plasticitemscontributedisproportionatelytotheoverallimpactofmarinedebris.Plasticmaterialsaccumulateandconcentrateorganicchemicalsandenvironmentalpollutantsuptoonemilliontimestheirconcentrationinthesurroundingseawaterandmanyofthesechemicalsareendocrinedisruptorsthatcanbereleasedwhentheplasticsareingested(Rios2010).Moreover,ingestionandentanglementwithplasticsiscommon,andleadstohighratesofmortalityandecosystemdisruptionamongmanymarinemammal,seabirdandfishspecies.

Furthermore,marinedebriscanaffectpublichealthbycreatingsafetyhazardsandimpairingwaterquality.Discardedsyringes,medicalwaste,brokenglass,ropes,lines,andfishinggearposethreatstobeachvisitorsanddivers(U.S.CommissiononOceanPolicy2004).Adecreaseinwaterqualityduetomarinedebriscanleadtobeachclosuresandpublichealthconcernsresultinginnegativeimpactstothelocaleconomybyreducingcoastaltourism.

Vision

ThevisionoftheMarineDebrisStrategyistoworktowardszerodebrisenteringthemarineenvironmentfromlandandzeroimpactfromdebrisenteringthemarineenvironmentatsea.3

Goal

ThegoaloftheStrategyistoaddressmarinedebrisanditsimpactseffectivelyandinaprioritizedmannerbyfacilitatingactionandcollaborationamongCalifornia,OregonandWashington,federalandtribalgovernments,academia,industry,andnon-governmentalorganizations.

Objectives

Toachievethegoal,theStrategywillfacilitateeffortsto:

• Prioritizetheremovalofcertaintypesandlocationsofharmfulmarinedebrisbasedonestablishedcriteria.

• EstablishamarinedebrisbaselinealongandofftheWestCoast• Settargetmilestonesforvarioussourcesofmarinedebrisandwithinvarious

regionsoftheWestCoast.• Strivetoreducetheamount,preventharmandnegativeimpactsofderelictfishing

3TheMarineDebrisACTrecognizestheriskoflostfishinggearassociatedwithfishing.TheStrategyisnotpromotingtheendoffishing,butenvisionsminimizingthenegativeimpactsofderelictfishinggeartothegreatestextentpossible.

5

gearandothermarinedebrisalongtheWestCoast.• Significantlyreducemarinedebrisdischargefromland-basedsourcesalongthe

WestCoast.• Strivetoreducetheamountofplasticsandaddresstheimpactofmarinedebris

currentlypresentalongtheWestCoast’sshorelineandnear-shorewatersthroughcost-effectiveremoval.

• Encourageresearch,survey,assessment,cost-benefitsanalyses,monitoringanddatacollectionandanalysistobuilduponexistingresearch,identifybestpracticesformarinedebrisprevention,streamlinedatacollectionandidentifymarinedebrishotspots,accumulationrates,andtrends.

• Incorporateeducationinallaspectsofmarinedebrisprevention,reduction,andcleanupprograms.

ApproachofthisStrategy

ThisStrategyadoptsaperformance-based,non-prescriptiveapproachtowardsmeetingthegoalsandobjectives.Itrecommendssettingtargetreductionlevelsofmarinedebrisbysource,withavisionofzerotrashtotheenvironment,andthenoffersamenuofoptionsforachievingthesereductionsthroughsuggestedactions.TheapproachisbasedontherecognitionthatcircumstancearesignificantlydifferentacrossageographicareaaslargeastheWestCoastandthatregionaldifferenceswarrantahighdegreeofflexibilityinachievingcommongoals.TheMDACThasenlistedabroadarrayofinputandoffersthefollowingrecommendedactionsaseffectivemethodsforachievingtargetreductions.However,themethodforreachingthesetargetsislesscriticalthantheneedforsettingandachievingthetargetsbywhatevermeanschosen.

PrioritizationCriteriaforRecommendedActions

Usingaprioritizationexercisewhenimplementingidentifiedactionstoreduceandpreventmarinedebrisallowsforeffectiveremovalanddisposalofmarinedebriswithlimitedfundsandresources.Furthermore,identifyingprioritizationcriteriacanhelpdeterminehowtobestimplementthevariousidentifiedactions.TheMDACTcameupwiththefollowingcriteriaforprioritization:

• HumanSafety• SpeciesImpacts• Lethality• HabitatImpacts• ProtectedAreas

• Permanence• Economics• Aesthetics• EndangeredSpecies

Marinedebristhatiscausingimmediateharmtohumansafetyandhealthshouldbeconsideredatoppriorityforremovalanddisposal.Whenusingthesecriteriatoassess

2

removalprojects,itmayalsobebeneficialtorankthecriteriabasedonrelativeimportancetotheindividual’sorganizationortheMarineDebrisAlliance.theprioritizationcriteriawerenotrankedinthisdocumentinrecognitionthatdifferentregionsandorganizationshavedifferentprioritiesandwillimplementrecommendedactionsintheirownway.

WestCoastMarineDebrisAlliance

TheWestCoastMarineDebrisAlliance(Alliance)willworktofacilitatetheimplementationofthestrategy.TheMDACT,iscurrentlysmall(14members)andlimitedinscopeandrepresentation.TheAlliancewillallowforawidervarietyofentitiesdedicatedtoaddressingmarinedebrisalongtheWestCoasttogetinvolvedincarryingouttherecommendedactionsinthisStrategy.ManyoftheMDACTmemberswillmakeuptheAllianceandafterthecompletionofthetransition,theACTwillsunset.TheMDACTenvisionstheAlliancebeingadiversecoordinatingbodythataddsvaluebybreakingbarriersbetweenstateagencies,federalgovernment,NGOs,andindustrytoadvanceactionsthatimplementthestrategy.Itwillprovideameanstofurtherefficientactionsandcoordinationtoeliminatemarinedebris.

Ocean-basedDebris

The2010MDACTWorkPlancallsforidentifyingrecommendationstoaddressocean-baseddebris(OBD)onvessels,aswellastheports,terminalsandmarinasthatservethem,butitisnotincludedinthisdocument.TheMDACTdeterminedthatduetolimitedresources,thelargescopeofOBD,andOBDbeingcoveredbyregulationselsewhere(suchasMARPOL),therewaslimitedutilityintryingtoresolvethisissuebytheMDACTandthethreestates.Itwasalsodeterminedthatmorepositiveimpactscouldbemadebyworkingonland-baseddebrisandderelictfishinggear.

BarriersandChallenges

Thereareseveralbarriersandchallengesthatneedtobeovercomeinordertosuccessfullymeetthegoals.Majorchallengesincludefunding,policy,andlackofdataandinformation.Addressingandovercomingthesebarrierswillhelpachieveidentifiedobjectives.

Funding

Duetothecurrentnationaleconomicdownturn,thereispotentialfornational,regional,stateandlocalfundingforkeymarinedebrisprogramstobecutorreduced.Insufficientfundingcanhindertheprogressofreachingourobjectivesbecausetherewillbefewerpeopleandlesstimetoworkonmarinedebrisissues.Therefore,itisextremelycrucialtoleverageexistingeffortsandpartnershipstomaximizeefficiencyandminimizecost.

Policy

Policydecisionsandlegislationthatreducefundingorrelaxcurrentmarinedebrispolicieshindersprogresstowardstheobjectives.Legislationcanprovidethemandateandfundingthatiscrucialinmaintainingandincreasingeffortstoworkonmarinedebrisissues.

3

Furthermore,thereiscurrentlynocomprehensivefederalorstatepolicythataddressesmarinedebris.Therefore,localagenciesarelefttoimplementtheirowndebrisremovalandpreventionprogramstocomplywithregulations(suchastheCleanWaterAct)whichmaybecomecostly.

LackofDataandInformation

Anadequateamountofscientificinformationexiststostartimplementingtargetedactions,butcontinualprogresstoreducetheknowledgegapisanimportantchallengewhenworkingonmarinedebrisissues.TheWestCoastregionneedstofurtheridentifythequantityandcompositionofmarinedebrisintheoceanitself,emanatingfrombothlandandocean-basedsources,anditseffects.Lackofabaselinefrustrateseffortstoquantifytheefficacyandprogresstowardsvariousprojects.

RecommendedActions

Land-basedDebris

Objective:Strivetosignificantlyreducetheamountofdebrisenteringtheoceanfromland-basedsourcesalongtheWestCoastthroughgreaterreductionofmaterialthathasthepotentialtobecomemarinedebris,andpreventionofmateriallikelytobecomemarinedebrisfromenteringtheocean.

Eachofthefollowingactionsisaccompaniedbyamenuofoptionsforhowanentitymayseektoachievethataction.TheStrategydoesnotencourageoneactionoveranotherasallactionslistedhavebeenidentifiedaspotentiallysuccessfulgivenlocalcircumstances.TheStrategyencouragesthatactionsbetakentoaddresswhathasbeenacknowledgedasanissueinthemarinedebrisfield.

Action1–Identifyandleverageexistingpoliciestoreduceandpreventmarine

debris.

1. CloselytrackcurrentdevelopmentofCalifornia’strashpolicy,whichusestheCleanWaterAct(CWA)toreducetrashinstormwater.InvestigateifasimilaradoptionisfeasiblefortheentireWestCoast,variousstates,orpermitholderswithineachstate.

2. ReviewthefeasibilityofusingCA’smodellanguageforMS44permitsandevaluatethestrengthofpolicylanguagearoundtrashmanagementinstormwaterpermits.

3. Analyzeregulationsandpoliciesoncommonlyfounditemsinland-baseddebris.

4Somestates,cities,orpublicentitiesthatdischargestormwaterarerequiredtoobtainmunicipalseparatestormsewersystems(MS4)permitstodischargepollutedstormwaterrunoff.

4

Action2–Reduceandpreventmostcommonlyfounddebrisitemsonthecoastand

intheocean.5

Projectsandprogramsthataimtoeliminatethelossofcommonlyfounditemstotheoceanshouldbepromoted.

1. Promotetothebestoftheirabilitystateandnationallegislationaimedatreducingandpreventingmarinedebris.

2. Encourageincreasedplacementofmorevisiblecigarettereceptaclestopromoteproperdisposalbysmokers.

3. Increaseeducationalandoutreacheffortsdirectedatsmokersthatspecifypublichealthandmarineimpactsfromcigarettewaste.

4. Increaseshorelinecleanupeffortstopreventcommonlyfounditemsfromenteringtheocean.

Action3–Buildstrongpartnershipsandworkwithindustriestoreduceandprevent

marinedebrisenteringtheenvironment.

Partneringwithindustriescanhelpreducemarinedebrisatthesourceandcreateindustryincentivestoaddressmarinedebris.Thisalsoengagesbusinessesandensurestheyunderstandtheirresponsibilitiesascontributorstothemarinedebrisproblem.

1. ConductananalysistodeterminethefeasibilityofExtendedProducerResponsibility(EPR),alsoknownas“productstewardship”initiatives,especiallyforitemsthataremorelikelytobecomemarinedebris.

2. Reviewpreventionplansinordertoinsurethatbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)arebeingfollowedintheproductionofitemsthatpreventthelossofrawmaterialfromafacility.

3. Investigatethefeasibilityofholdingproducersresponsibleforcleanuporgeneratingfundstoenactcleanupwhenaspillofraworfinishedmaterialoccurs.

4. Coordinatingwithindustriesandagenciestostandardizemodellanguageforpreventionoftrashandlossofmaterialandencouragingtheuseofthelanguageinpermits.

5. Promotingeducationaroundreduction,reuse,andrecyclinginitiativesthatcanbothreducetheamountofmaterialpotentiallylosttothemarineenvironmentandencouragegreateruseofrecycledmaterialbyindustry.

5Basedontheworkshops,theMDACTidentifiedcigarettebuttsasapriorityitemtopreventandreduce.CigarettebuttsarethetopitemfoundgloballybasedonOceanConservancy’sInternationalCoastalCleanupDaydata:http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/marine-debris/check-out-our-latest-trash.html

5

Action4–Workwithwastemanagementoperationsandmunicipalitiestoprevent

andreducetheamountofmarinedebrisenteringtheenvironment.

1. InvestigatestandardizedguidanceforlandfillcoverBMPrequirementsacrossthethreestates.

2. Workwithwastemanagementindustriestodeterminebestpracticesforenactingarobustextendedproducerresponsibilityeffort.

3. Whenopportunitiesarise,reviewandprovidecommentonBMPsforlittermanagementonbeaches

Action5–Supportimprovedenforcementofexistinglawsthatdealwithmarine

debris.

ImproveandelevatetheenforcementofprovisionsoftheCleanWaterActandlocallitterlawsinordertoreduceandpreventmarinedebris.TheStrategyencouragesstricterenforcementandtheexpansionofenforcementprograms,whereappropriate.

1. Assessandprioritizethemosteffectivewaysofenforcingmarinedebrispreventionlaws.

2. Identifygapsinenforcementeffortswheregreatercollaborationorsupportfromlocalandstateelectedofficialswouldhelpeffectimprovedenforcementefforts.

DerelictFishingGear

Objective:Strivetoreducetheamountandimpactsofderelictfishinggear(DFG)alongtheWestCoastthroughlossprevention,gearmodificationtopreventimpactiffishinggearislost,andsurveyforandremovalofderelictfishinggear.

Eachofthefollowingactionsisaccompaniedbyamenuofoptionsforhowanentitymayseektoachievethataction.TheStrategydoesnotencourageoneactionoveranotherasallactionslistedhavebeenidentifiedaspotentiallysuccessfulgivenlocalcircumstances.TheStrategyencouragesthatactionsbetakentoaddresswhathasbeenacknowledgedasanissueinthemarinedebrisfield.

Action1–Buildstrongpartnershipswiththefishingindustry,managementagencies,

andrelevantmaritimeentitiestoidentifyandpracticeDFGprevention,reduction,

andappropriateremovalmeasures.

1. CollaboratewiththefishingindustrytodevelopbestapproachesandmeasurestoreduceDFGandminimizeitsimpacts.Identifyingstakeholdersandpromotingcollaborationwiththefishingindustrywillbeusefulindevelopingeffectiveapproaches,assessmentmethods,fishingpractices,technologies,andgearmodificationstoreducegearlossandimpacts.

2. IdentifyandpromoteexistingeffectiveeducationaleffortsinCA,OR,andWA.3. Surveystakeholdergroupsforappropriatemessagedeliverersandmethodsfor

disseminatingeducationalmessages.

6

4. Developandadapteducationaleffectivemessages.5. Utilizeoutreachresourcesoffisherymanagementagenciesandothers(e.g.Sea

Grant,fishingassociations,etc.)todisseminateeducationalmessagestofishingindustry.

6. SupportcosteffectiveandsaferemovalofDFGimpactingthemarineenvironment.7. Createasystemtoreportandrespondtolostfishinggear.Itiseasiertorespondto

andretrievenewlylostgearthantosearchforitlater.8. Evaluatewhetherincreasingfinancialincentivesforfishermentorecovertheirown

DFG(e.g.throughdeposits)willresultinareducedamountofabandonedfishinggear.

9. Promoteprogramsthatcomeupwithinnovativeincentivesthatallowfishermentotakestewardshipresponsibility(e.g.taxonfishlandings,marinestewardshipcouncilcertificationprograms).

Action2–AssesstheDFGlocationsandaccumulationontheWestCoastand

prioritizeinformationgaps.

1. Engagethefishingcommunity,state,federal,tribal,andlocalagencies,NGOs,academia,andindustrytoprovideDFGdata,suchasstandardizedgearidentificationsystems,vessellogbooks,andresearchdocuments.

2. IdentifyandprioritizeareastoassessDFGaccumulationratesbasedonDFGimpact,quantitylost,geartype,andfeasibilityofremoval.

Action3–IdentifyandaddressbarrierstominimizeDFGanditsimpacts.

1. Consultwiththefishingindustryandmanagementagenciestoidentifybarriersandpotentialsolutionstoaddressthosebarriers.

2. IdentifyrulesandregulationsthatcouldpromoteorhindertheremovalofDFGtounderstandhowtoimplementsuccessfulprograms.

3. Workwiththefishingindustryandotherstakeholderstoassistintheevaluationoflegislativeandregulatoryideasorproposals.

4. Incorporateeconomicanalysestodeterminethemostcost-effectiveDFGminimizationapproachesandmethods.

5. PromoteresearchonDFG.

RecommendedActionsforCross-CuttingIssues

Collaborationoncrosscuttingissuesiscrucialforincreasingefficiencyandreachinggoals.Cross-cuttingissuesincludedatamanagement,researchandinformationsharing,andeducation.Entitieswhomaynotbeworkingspecificallyonmarinedebrisbutwhoseactivitiesmayaffectorimpacttheeffortsofagenciesworkingontheissueshouldbeincluded.Benefitsofworkingcollaborativelyoncrosscuttingissuesincludeincreasedefficiencyinworkingtowardaclear,commonobjectivewithoutduplicatingefforts.Overarchingrecommendedactionsinclude:

7

Action1–Determineexistingamountofmarinedebris.

Utilizeexistingresourcesandreportstoidentifycurrentbaselinesforbothland-baseddebrisandderelictfishinggear.Thiswillbecriticalindeterminingtargetreductions.

Action2–Determinetargetreductionsandmilestones.

Createrealisticandquantifiabletargetstoensurethatproperstepsarebeingtakenthroughvaryingmethodstoreachmarinedebrisreductionandpreventiontargets.

Action3–Elevatetheissueofmarinedebrisineachstatebyhavingastrongpublic

outreachefforttopromotetrashreductionandtietomarinedebris.

DataManagement

Manyorganizationsandagenciescollectmarinedebrisdata,butthereisawidediversityamongdatacardsandthemanagementofthedatabasesusingthedata.Increasingcollaborationandpartnershipsamongentitiestocreatestandardizeddatacardsforland-baseddebrisanduploadingtheinformationfromthestandardizedcardstoonedatabasewillbebeneficialfordecisionmakers(policyandmanagement),research,andeducation.

Action1–Createandpromotetheuseofastandardizeddatacardforland-based

marinedebris.

Createaprotocoltohaveonedatabasecontainingstandardizedland-basedmarinedebrisinformationallowsforeasyaccesstodataandinformationinordertolocateandcomparebeachesthataremostimpacted,specificsources,andthetypeandquantityofmarinedebrisfoundthroughoutthethreestates.

Action2–Utilize,populate,andmaintaintri-statedatabase.

TheMDACThasdevelopedacomprehensiveandstandardizedmarinedebrisdatabasethatwillideallyincorporateallexistingmarinedebrisdataforbothderelictfishinggearandland-baseddebrisfromthethreestates.Additionaleffortsandfundingisneededtomaintainandimprovethedatabase.Tofacilitatetheprocessandmaximizethefunctionofthedatabase,participantsshould:

1. Determinetheentitythatwillmanagethedatabase.2. Determinehowtobestmaintainandevaluateintegrityofdata.3. Promotethedatabasetootherorganizationsandentitiestoincreaseusers.4. Properlytrainvolunteersonthedatabasetoempowervolunteersandmaintainthe

integrityofthedata.5. Usedatabasetofacilitateprevention,reduction,andcleanupofmarinedebris.6. Usedatabasetofacilitateeconomicanalysis.7. Usedatabasetohelppolicyformulationanddecision-makingregardingmarine

debris.

8

8. Usedatabasetoprovideinformationforoutreachforchangingbehaviorsandadvocacy.

ResearchandInformationSharing

ContinualresearchisbeingconductedonmarinedebrisissuesrangingfromexpeditionstotheNorthPacificgyre,impactsofmarinedebrisonmarinespeciesandtheirenvironment,andalternativestosingle-useplastics.Itiscriticalthatthoseinvolvedinmarinedebrisprogramsstayupdatedonthemostcurrentresearchinordertomakemoreeducatedmanagementdecisionsandcreateasoundbasisforprojectevaluation.

Action1–Promoteresearchopportunities.

Researchopportunitiescandecreasetheknowledgegapregardingmarinedebris.Participantsshould:

1. Worktoidentifyandmakeaccessibleallrelevantmarinedebrispolicy,research,databases,andsuccessfulprogrammodels.

2. Encourageresearchandidentifyalternativematerialstosingle-useplasticbags.Currentlythereisnoreadilyavailableplasticthatismarinebiodegradable.

3. Encouragetheinclusionofeconomicanalysisinmarinedebrisrelatedresearch,whereapplicable.Theseinclude:

a. Economicanalysisofcostofcleanupversuscostofpreventingdebrisatthesourcewillbeusefulinidentifyingthemosteffectivecontrolmeasure.

b. Economicimpactofmarinedebrisonlostecologicalservices,riskstopublichealthandsafety,andreductioninstateandlocalrevenues.

c. Gatherandreportinformationtoemphasizecosteffectivenessofupstreampreventioncontrol.

d. Conductcost-benefitanalysesofsingle-useproductsascomparedtoreusablealternatives(e.g.carryoutbags,waterbottles,coffeecups,etc.).

4. Encouragecontrolledstudiesthatlinkchemicalcomponentsofmarinedebrisonspeciesandecologicaldamageaswellasbioaccumulationofthesechemicalsinindividualsandfoodwebs.

Action2–Promoteinformationsharingamongparticipants.

Informationsharingincreasescreativity,efficiency,collaboration,andpartnershipsamonggroupsanddecreasesduplicativeresearchefforts.Informationsharingdoesnotpertaintojustresearchbutcanbeappliedtolegislativeissuesandsuccessfulmarinedebrisprojects.

Education

Creatinguniformmessagingtoaddressmarinedebriscanincreaseeffectivecommunicationbyreducingtheamountofconflictinginformationbeingpresentedtoagivenaudienceandstrengtheningthequalityofeducationonmarinedebrisissues.Sharing

9

successfulmethodsofdisseminatinginformationandevaluatingprogramscanaidinimplementingneworimprovingexistingprograms.Effectivelycommunicatingonmarinedebriswillmotivateandinspirepeopletotakeactiontoreduceandpreventmarinedebris.

Action1–Researchandcompilecurrentandpasteducationalmessagesand

campaignsonmarinedebris.

Thisshouldalsoincludeanycorrelatingresearchoneffectivenessofthosecampaigns.Theinformationshouldbemadeavailabletothemarinedebriscommunityandgeneralpublic.

Action2–DevelopaworkinggroupthatincludestheWCGAOceanAwarenessand

Literacy("Education")ActionCoordinationTeamandotheracademicinstitutionsto

developeffectiveeducationalmessagesaboutmarinedebrisfortheregion.

Action3–Createauniformmessagefordisseminatinginformation.

PublicizethemessageandencourageitsadoptionbythemarinedebriscommunityalongtheWestCoast.

Action4–Encouragecommunityinvolvementthroughincentiveprogramssuchas

contestsforcleanestbeaches.

FutureOpportunities

JapanTsunamiMarineDebris

OnMarch11,2011,a9.0magnitudeearthquakestruckoffthecoastofJapanresultinginadevastatingtsunamithatreachedheightsofupto130feet.Ofthe5milliontonsofdebristhatwashedouttosea,anestimated1.5milliontonsofmarinedebrisfloatedintothePacificOcean.TheMarineDebrisAlliancehastheopportunitytobearegionalconduitforinformationandassistinreadinessandremovalplansforthetsunamimarinedebristhatmayreachtheWestCoast.TheAlliancecouldformnewrelationshipsandprepareorganizationstoconductrapidresponseandassistindisseminatingtimelyinformation.Inaddition,themarinedebrisdatabasewillbecrucialindeterminingthebaselineifthereisanincreaseindebrisalongtheWestCoastduetothetsunamimarinedebris.

10

Timeline

StrategyDeliverable Timeline

Launchofmarinedebrisdatabase. December2012

FormationandlaunchofMarineDebrisAlliance. June2013

Determinebaselinesforland-baseddebrisandderelictfishinggearthroughthecompilationofdataandresearch. June2013

Creationofreductiontargetsandmilestones. December2013

11

References

Ariza,E.andLeatherman,S.P.,2012.No-smokingpoliciesandtheiroutcomesonU.S.beaches.JournalofCoastalResearch,28,143–147.WestPalmBeach,Fl.ISSN0749-0208.

Arthur,C.,J.BakerandH.Bamford(eds).2009.ProceedingsoftheInternationalResearchWorkshopontheOccurrence,EffectsandFateofMicroplasticMarineDebris.Sept9-11,2008.NOAATechnicalMemorandumNOS-OR&R-30.

Derraik,J.G.B.2002.Thepollutionofthemarineenvironmentbyplasticdebris:areview.MarinePollutionBulletinVol.44pp842–852

Fanshawe,T.,Everand,M.2002.Theimpactsofmarinelitter.MarinePollutionMonitoringGroup.ReportoftheMarineLitterTaskTeam(MaLitt)43pp.

Gordon,M.2006.EliminatingLand-basedDischargesofMarineDebrisinCalifornia:APlanofActionfromthePlasticDebrisProject.CaliforniaCoastalCommission.

GroceryManufacturersAssociation(GMA).2012.EvaluationofExtendedProducerResponsibilityforConsumerPackaging.SAICEnergy,Environment&Infrastructure,LLC.

Howell,EA.,Bograd,SJ.,Morishige,C.,Seki,MP.,Polovina,JJ.,2011.OnNorthPacificcirculationandassociatedmarinedebrisconcentration.MarinePollutionBulletin.Vol.62No.4

Ofiara,D.D.2001.AssessmentoftheEconomicLossesfromMarinePollution:AnIntroductiontoEconomicPrinciplesandmethods.MarinePollutionBulletin,Vol.42No.9pp709-725.

McIlgormA,CampbellHF,RuleMJ.2011.WhatIsMarineDebris?,OceanandCoastalManagementdoi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2011.05.007

Rios,L.,Jones,P.R.,Moore,C.,Narayan,U.V.QuantitaionofpersistentorganicpollutantsabsorbedonplsticmarinedebrisfromtheNorthPacificGyre’s“easterngarbagepatch”.JournalofEnvironmentalMonitoring.Vol.12,pp.2226-2238.

Stickel,B.H.,A.JahnandW.Kier2012.TheCosttoWestCoastCommunitiesofDealingwithTrash,ReducingMarineDebris.PreparedbyKierAssociatesforU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Region9,pursuanttoOrderforServicesEPG12900098,21p.+appendices.

UNEP2005.Marinelitter:Ananalyticaloverview.IntergovernmentalOceanographicCommissionoftheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganisation,47pp.

12

U.S.CommissiononOceanPolicy.AnOceanBlueprintforthe21stCentury.2004.FinalReport

ProductsStewardshipCouncil(PSI).2009.CasestudiesofcostsavingsfollowingenactmentofExtendedProducerResponsibilityLaws.ProductStewardshipInstitute,Inc.Boston,MA.http://www.productstewardship.us/associations/6596/files/ps_financial_benefits_case_studies.pdf

ProductStewardshipandExtendedProducerResponsibility(EPR).EPRandStewardshipHome.CalRecycle,15Nov.2012.Web.15Apr.2013.

Walls,M.2006.ExtendedProducerResponsibilityandProductDesign:EconomicTheoryandSelectedCaseStudies.ResourcesfortheFuture.Washington,DC.

WashingtonDepartmentofFishandWildlife.2011.Web.DerelictFishingGearRemovalProject.19September2011.<http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/derelict/>

13

APPENDIX

14

CurrentProjectstoFacilitateActions

LeveragingcurrentprojectsiscrucialinimplementingtheStrategy.Numeroussuccessfulfederal,state,andlocalmarinedebrisprogramsandprojectsexistthatwouldbebeneficialforAlliancemembersorindividualgroupstopartnerwithoruseasmodels.Thissectionisincludesalistofmarinedebrisprogramsthatmayfacilitatestrategyactions:

MarineDebrisDataCollectionandDatabase

Atthelocal,regional,nationaltointernationallevels,therearemanyorganizationsandentitiesconductingsuccessfulland-basedmarinedebriscleanups.Thecleanupsinvolvecollectingandmaintainingdataondebrisusingdatacards.Theseprojectsshouldberesearchedandifapplicable,usedasmodels.

DerelictFishingGearRemovalProjects

California:TheCaliforniaDerelictFishingGearRemovalPilotProjectwasstartedinJuly2005bytheSeaDocSocietywiththehelpoffundingsupportbytheCaliforniaOceanProtectionCouncil.Duringthepilotproject,approximately10tonsofDFGwasremovedaroundCalifornia’sChannelIslands,773lostfishinggearswereidentified,andapproximately198sq.kmofseafloorhabitatwascleanedthroughgearremoval.Successfulprojectstoaddressmonofilamentfishinglinesatfishingpiersanddockremovedmanymilesoffishinglines,andinstalledrecyclingbinsformonofilamentfishingline.

Oregon:NewwaysoffindingandretrievingDFGhavebeendesignedandtestedinOregonthroughajointprojectinvolvingOregonSeaGrant,theOregonFisherman’sCableCommittee,andtheOregonDungenessCrabCommission.Thisprojectcoordinatedadiversegroupoffishermen,regulators,andagenciestouseamodified“trawl/grapple”techniquetoretrieveDFG,includingcrabpotsandbottomtrawlnets.ThesemethodswereusedbyapartnershipoftheOregonCrabfisheries,andStateandFederalGovernmenttoremoveover3,000derelictcrabpotsalongtheentireOregoncoastin2009and2010.Thepartnership,nowindustryled,iscontinuingitsefforttolocateandremovelostgear.

Washington:TheNorthwestStraitsInitiative(NWSI),StillaguamishandNisquallytribes,andfederal,state,andlocalentities,aswellasnongovernmentalorganizations(NGOs)andindustry,havebeenengagedinderelictfishinggear(DFG)surveyandremovalforanumberofyears.Since2002,NWSIhasmanagedthebulkofDFGsurveyandremovalinthePugetSoundandasofDecember312012,hasremovednearly4,358netsandover2,889derelictcrabpots.Theyarecurrentlyworkingtogetthelast200netsoutofPugetSoundandplantotargetfishinggearatbelow100ft.inthefuture.

Stormwater

California,StateWaterResourcesControlBoard(SWRCB):TheSWRCBhasregulatoryauthorityforprotectingwaterqualityinCalifornia.InSouthernCalifornia,severalzerotrashtotalmaximumdailyloads(TMDL)regulationshavebeenimplementedandzero

15

trashallowedforimpairedwaterbodiesunderthe303(d)listingoftheCleanWaterAct6.AsauthorizedbytheCleanWaterAct(CWA),theNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)PermitProgramcontrolswaterpollutionbyregulatingpointsourcesthatdischargepollutantsintowatersoftheUnitedStates.Pointsourcesarediscreteconveyancessuchaspipesorman-madeditches.NPDESpermitsinPhase1dischargesnowhavepermitrequirementssimilartothesouthernCaliforniaTrashTMDL.ThereisalsoastatewidetrashpolicyinthedevelopmentphasethatseekstoestablishsimilarpolicyasthatadoptedbytheSanFranciscoBayregionfortheentirestate.LosAngelesalsoincludesazerofloatingmaterialandsolid,suspended,orsettablematerialobjectiveintheirwaterqualitycontrolplan.

Oregon’sstormwatersystemstechnologiestoremoveplasticsvaryamongmunicipalitiesfromlowtohighandthereisnostatewidestandard.Thereiscurrentlyalargeeffortonstreetsweeperstointercepttrashbeforestormwaterentersmunicipalstormwatersystems.Sanitationworkerssayaportionoftheplasticsinthestormwatersystemcomesfromhomegarbagecanstippingoverduringwinterstormsorduetowind.

WashingtonDepartmentofEcologyhasbeendelegatedauthorityfromtheUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgencytoimplementtheNPDESpermitprogram.WashingtonhasadoptedtheStormwaterManagementManualforWesternWashington,whichestablishesminimumrequirementsandbestmanagementpracticesforstormwatermanagementpermits.Themanualrequiresthatstormwaterdetentionpondsandotherfacilitiesincorporatetrashracksandotherscreeningdevices,andmaintenancerequirementsforcleaning.ItisalsoestablishessourcecontrolBMPsforspecificusesthatmaygeneratetrash.

WorkingwithIndustries

CaliforniaOceanProtectionCouncil:ThethreemainprioritiesfromAnImplementationStrategyfortheCaliforniaOceanProtectionCouncil:ResolutiontoReduceandPreventOceanLittercanbeusedasmodels.Allthreecombinedorpartsoftherecommendationcanbeused.Theseinclude:

1. ImplementExtendedProducerResponsibilityforpackingwaste.2. Bansitemsthatarelikelytobecomemarinedebrisforwhichalternativesare

readilyavailable.3. Placeafeeonitemsthatarelikelytobecomemarinedebrisforwhichalternatives

arenotreadilyavailable.

California,AB258:AB258wasenactedtocontrolplasticproductionfacilitiesandthereleaseofpre-productionplasticpelletandpowders.Thislawalsoenablesataskforcetoperforminspections,enforcebestmanagementpracticesatproductionfacilitiesandlevyfines.

6Moreinformation:http://www.epa.gov/SoCal/water/la-trash.html

16

Washington,DepartmentofEcology–BeyondWasteProgram:Thisprogramhasa30-yearplantoeliminatewasteandtoxics,andalsohasamanufacturer-fundedprogramtorecycleelectronics.

ReductionMeasures

Plastics

California

Californiaistheleaderinimplementinglocalplasticbagordinanceswithcurrently72adoptedcityandcountyordinances,SanFranciscobeingthefirstin2006.Mostordinanceshaveaddedapaperbagfeeaswellasabanonplasticduetothedesiretopromotereusablebagsasthebagofchoice.In2011,SB1219extendedthesunsetofAB2449,requiringlargesupermarketsthatdistributeplasticbagstocollectthemforrecycling.Thebillwassettoexpireattheendof2012,butnowcontinuesuntil2020.

Somelargeretailersalsooffera5centcreditorotherpremiumsforbringingareusablebag.Statewide,severalattemptshavebeenmadetopassplasticbagbanbillsoverthepastseveralyears,includingAB1998in2010,althoughnonehavebeensuccessful.

In2007,AB258wasenactedtocontrolplasticproductionfacilitiesandthereleaseofpre-productionplasticpelletandpowders.Thislawalsoenablesataskforcetoperforminspections,enforcebestmanagementpracticesatproductionfacilitiesandlevyfines.

Furthermore,CalRecyclehasaRigidPlasticPackagingContainer(RPPC)program.Itrequiresmanufacturersofnon-foodplasticbottlesandcontainerstocomplywithoneofthefollowing:a25%postconsumercontent,a45%recyclingrate,beingreusable5timesormore,ormeetinga10%sourcereduction.

California’sBottleBillRecyclingProgramwasenactedin1987and230billionglass,aluminumandplasticbeveragebottleshavebeenrecycledsincetheprogram’sinception.AccordingtoCalRecycle’s"BiannualReportofBeverageContainerSales,Returns,Redemption&RecyclingRates",California'sbeveragecontainerrecyclingrateshaveincreasedsignificantly,fromanoverall52%in1988to82%in2011.Inthesixyearsfrom2006to2011alone,theprogramhasincreasedrecyclingfrom13billioncontainersperyeartoover16.7billioncontainersperyear.Effortstoexpandthebilltoincludeotherrecyclablematerialsareindevelopment.

Oregon

Oregoncurrentlyhasthreecitieswithordinancesthatbanplasticbags;Corvallis,EugeneandPortland.Portlandbecamethefirstcitytoadoptabanonplasticbagsinthestatein2011,afterthestatelegislaturefailedtopassastatewideban.Anamendmenttoincludeallotherretailstoresandrestaurantsgoesintoeffectin2013.

In1971,OregonwasthefirstinthenationtoadoptaBottleBill.Thebillwasmodifiedin2007toincludeplasticwaterbottlesandreturnratesaverageabout90%.Containersthat

17

usedtomakeup40%ofroadsidelitternowaverageabout6%.Unfortunately,thebillisstartingtoloseitseffectivenesswithrecyclingratesreducingfrom10yearsago.Thismayduetoinflationastheredemptionpaymenthasnotkeptup;fivecentsin1971equatesto23centsin2012,butcitizensarecurrentlynotreceivingasmuch.

Furthermore,OregonhasaRigidPlasticContainerLaw,similartothatinCalifornia,implementedin1991.Plasticmanufacturersmustcomplywithoneofthefollowing;twenty-fivepercentrecyclingrate,twenty-fivepercentrecycledcontent,orthecontainermustbereusedorrefilledatleastfivetimes.

Washington

InWashington,therearecurrentlysevencitieswithplasticbagbans.Edmondswasthefirsttobesuccessfulinimposingaplasticbagban.Seattlealsosuccessfullyimposeda20centfeeonsingle-useplasticbagsin2009,onlytohavetheAmericanChemistryCouncilsponsoranefforttohaveavoterproposition,whichoverturnedthefee.InDecember2011,theSeattleCityCouncilunanimouslypassedanordinancebanningsingle-useplasticbagsandputtinga5centminimumpricerequirementonsingle-usepaperbags.

Landbaseddebris,includingplasticsareregulatedbytheWashingtonStateDepartmentofEcology.Mostland-baseddebrisisdefinedassolidwasteandthelocalagency,suchaslocalhealthdepartments,areresponsiblefordistributingsolidwastepermits.

FurtherInformation

Plasticregulationsareinspiredbythecostlyimpactsdisposableplasticitemsarehavingontheenvironmentandtheeconomy.ForCalifornia,theoverallcosttoprotectwaterwaysandtheoceanfromlitterisover$412millioneachyear--withbetween8%to25%attributabletoplasticbagsaloneaccordingtocleanupdatafromSanJoseandLosAngelesCounty(Stickel2012).

Sinceplasticbagsaregenerallynotcosteffectivetorecycleandrecyclingratesareverylow,bansareprovingtobeaneffectivewaytoreducecertainproblematicitemssuchasplasticbags.In2009,theDistrictofColumbiaenactedalawtobantheuseofdisposable,non-recyclableplasticcarryoutbagsandsetafeeof5centsforuseofallotherdisposablebags.Sinceimposingthefee,theDistrictofColumbiahascollectedabout$4.2millionfromthefee.Theusageofbagshasdroppedfrom22.5millionbagspermonthpriortothebantoabout3millionpermonthasofJanuary2010.

Citiesthatinitiateaplasticbagbanaresuccessfulindrasticallyreducingtheirusage.Pushbackfromcommunitymembersiscommonduringtheinitialphasesofenactingaban,butafteranadjustmentperiodpeopleareabletochangetheirhabitsandtheordinancesarewellreceived.

Industryrepresentativesfromgrocerystorechainshaveindicatedthatastatewidesingle-usebagregulationand/orfeewouldmakeiteasierandmorecosteffectivetocomplywithregulationsratherthanthepatchworkofdifferentcityandcountywidepoliciescurrentlyin

18

place.Additionally,somelawsonlycoverfoodretailersandnotothertypesofretailers,leadingtoaveryincompletesolutiontotheproblem.

Currenteffortstoreduceplasticpollutionthatcontributetomarinedebrisareonlypiecemeal.Cityandcountyplasticbanseffectivelyreducesomeplasticbagusageamongthethreestates.Bottlebillsarehighlyeffectiveatincreasingrecyclingaslongasthereturnratekeepsupwithinflation.Plasticpackagingandplasticpreproductionpelletsremainconcerningwiththeirtendencytoendupintheocean.Stormwaterregulationscandivertplasticsfromtheoceansbutbetterenforcementisneededforcompliance.

Polystyrene

California

Approximately69citiesinCaliforniahavebeensuccessfulinimplementingpolystyrenebansinsomeformwithinthelastdecade.CitiesandcountiesthathavebannedpolystyreneincludeSantaCruzCounty,citiesinMontereyCounty,CityofLosAngeles,andSanClemente.Startingcitybycity,SantaCruzCountywententirelyStyrofoamfreein2008.Manyordinancesbanpolystyrenetake-outfoodcontainersatbusinessessellingfoodforimmediateconsumption.

NopolystyrenefoodpackagingisrecycledanywhereinCalifornia,althoughtheplasticindustryhasattemptedtorecyclepolystyrenetransportpackaging(atacostofthousandsofdollarsperton).MostcurbsiderecyclingprogramsinCaliforniadonotacceptanypolystyreneplasticresinbecauseitcontaminatesrecyclingandistooeasilyaccidentallylitteredintransportation.

Oregon

Oregonledthewayinimplementingpolystyrenebanswithindividualcommunitiesandcitiesadoptingbanssince1989.PortlandandMultnomahCountybannedtheuseofpolystyrenefoamcontainersin1989andMcDonald’sdiscontinuedstatewideuseshortlyafter.

Washington

Since2009twocitiesinWashington,SeattleandEdmonds,haverequiredallfoodserviceproductsdesignedforone-timeusemadefrompolystyrenetobereplacedwitheithercompostableorrecyclablematerial.In2010,thebanexpandedtoincludeplasticutensilsandplasticfoodcontainersinSeattle.ViolatingthebanonStyrofoamcontainersissubjecttoacivilpenaltyofupto$250foreachviolation.Issaquahalsorecentlypassedasimilarbanthattookeffectin2011.

FurtherInformation

Recyclingpolystyreneisproblematic.Itisnotcosteffectivetoreusepolystyreneunlesscollectedatveryhighratesandisnotacceptedatmostcurbsidecollectionprograms.

19

Polystyrenefoodpackagingislightweightandaerodynamic,soitiseasilyblownintoguttersandstormdrainsevenwhen"properly"disposedof.Polystyreneisalsoverybrittle,sowhenlittered,itquicklybreaksintosmallpiecesmakingcleanupimpossible.Polystyrenefoodpackagingisextremelycostlytolocalgovernments,someofwhomarerequiredbylawtoachieve"zero"trashlitterinimpairedwaterways.Littercleanupcostsbillions,andyetisstillineffective.Polystyrenelitterwouldbemosteasilyreducedthroughastatewideban.

Cigarettes

California

InCalifornia,severalbeacheshaveadequatereceptionfacilitiesthroughsupportfromprogramssuchasCalRecycleandKeepCaliforniaBeautiful.CalRecyclehasalocalassistanceprogramthatsupportslocaltrashandrecyclingfacilities.KeepCaliforniaBeautifulworkswithindustriestoproviderecyclingandtrashreceptionatstateparksandhighwayreststops.Thereareseveralpilotprojectsaimedtoencouragesmokerstodisposecigarettebuttsproperly.

In2010,GovernorSchwarzeneggervetoedabillthatwouldhavebannedsmokingonallstatebeaches.However,thecitiesofLosAngeles,LongBeach,SantaMonica,SanDiegoandMalibuhavesimilarsmokingbansatparks,beaches.LosAngelesCountybannedsmokingoncounty-runbeachesin2004.Manylocalgovernmentsstatewidehaveimposedsimilarbans,includingalmostallcitybeachesinSanDiegoCounty.ManyothercommunitiesacrossCaliforniahaveenactedsimilarlawsbanningcigarettesatcitybeachesincluding:HuntingtonBeach,LagunaBeach,SealBeach,SolanaBeach,ManhattanBeach,HermosaBeach,NewportBeachandSanClemente.

Washington

Washingtonanditslocalgovernmentscurrentlyhavenobanonsmokingonpublicbeaches.

FurtherInformation

In2009,Maineadoptedasmoke-freelawforbeachesandparks,butnootherstatehasoutlawedcigarettesinitsentireparksystem,accordingtothegroupAmericansforNonsmokers'Rights,whichtrackssuchmeasures.However,in2011,NewYorkCitybannedsmokingonallbeaches,parksandboardwalks.

The1993smokingbaninHanaumaBay,HawaiiwasthefirstintheUnitedStates.Themotivationsthatdrovethebanwerebothaestheticandenvironmental,andithasbeeneffectivesinceinception,beingenforcedbybothpeerpressureandparkrangers.ThesmokingbanandotherproactivemanagementmeasuresenactedatHanaumaBayplayedamajorroleinitsselectionasthenumberonebeachintheUnitedStates(Ariza2012).

ThegroupKeepSarasotaBeautiful(KSB)ofSarasota,Floridainitiatedasmokingban

20

throughtheirbeachcleanupeffort.AreportwassenttotheBoardofCountyCommissionersrecommendingaprohibitionofsmokingonbeaches,whichpolarizedthiscommunity.Countygovernmentofficialstriedtouseeducationtosolvetheproblem(e.g.,somepeopledonotconsidercigarettebuttstobepollution).KSBstartedacampaignwithpocketashtrays,whichhadnoimpact.Countyofficialsprohibitedsmokingoncounty-runbeachesandcompromisedbydesignatingparkinglotsandpicnicsheltersassmokingareas.WhatstartedinthecountyinspiredtwocitiesinSarasotaCountytofollowsuit.ThebanhasresultedinamarkedreductionofcigarettebuttsonSarasotabeaches.Peerpressureislargelyresponsiblefortheenforcementoftheban,althoughthesheriff’sdeputieshaveissuedsometickets(Ariza2012).

Successfulcigarettebansincluderesearchandeducationaspartsoftheprocess.Moreresearchmaybeneededondifferentstrategiesforadoptingandimplementingbansandontheeconomicimplicationsofsmokingbans,especiallysincebeachtourismisoftentheprincipaleconomicengineofcoastalcommunities(Ariza2012).

ExtendedProducerResponsibility(EPR)

ExtendedProducerResponsibility,alsoknownasProductStewardship,isastrategytoplaceasharedresponsibilityforend-of-lifeproductmanagementontheproducers,andallentitiesinvolvedintheproductchain,insteadofthegeneralpublic;whileencouragingproductdesignchangesthatminimizeanegativeimpactonhumanhealthandtheenvironmentateverystageoftheproduct'slifecycle.Thisallowsthecostsoftreatmentanddisposaltobeincorporatedintothetotalcostofaproduct.Itplacesprimaryresponsibilityontheproducer,orbrandowner,whomakesdesignandmarketingdecisions.Italsocreatesasettingformarketstoemergethattrulyreflecttheenvironmentalimpactsofaproduct,andtowhichproducersandconsumersrespond(ProductStewardship2013).

California

CarpetStewardshipBill(2010):Asanextendedproducerresponsibilityrecyclingprogram,manufacturers(eitherindividuallyorthroughtheirstewardshiporganization)designandimplementtheirownstewardshipprogram.CalRecycle'sroleinthecarpetstewardshipprogramistoreviewandapproveplans,checkprogress,andsupportindustrybyprovidingoversightandenforcementtoensurealevelplayingfieldamongcarpetmanufacturers.

ArchitecturalPaintRecoveryProgram(2010):Inverybasicterms,manufacturers(eitherindividuallyorthroughastewardshiporganization),designtheirownstewardshipprogram.TheyprepareandimplementaplantoreachcertaingoalsandreporttoCalRecycleontheirprogress.CalRecycleapprovesplans,checksprogress,andprovidesoversightandenforcementtoensurealevelplayingfieldamongpaintmanufacturers.Otherserviceproviders,suchasHHWmanagementcontractors,localHHWprograms,and/orretailers,participateintheprogramasnegotiatedthroughthemanufacturerorstewardshiporganization.

Mercury-AddedThermostats(2008)requiresamanufacturerthatownsorownedanamebrandofmercury-addedthermostatssoldinthisstatebeforeJanuary1,2006,toestablish

21

andmaintainacollection,transportation,recycling,anddisposalprogramforout-of-servicemercury-addedthermostats.

PesticideRecyclingProgram(2008)requiresfirstsellersusingcertainpesticidecontainerstodemonstrateparticipationinacertifiedhigh-densitypolyethylene(HDPE)pesticidecontainerrecyclingprogramandannuallytosubmitcertifyingdocumentstothedirectoroftheCaliforniaDepartmentofPesticideRegulation.

RechargeableBatteryRecyclingAct(2006):Thislawdoesnotrequiremanufacturerstooperateacollectionsystem.Thecollectionsystemistobeoperatedbyretailers,whilethemanufacturerisresponsibleforincorporatingthecostofrecyclingintotheproductprice.

CellPhoneRecyclingAct(2004):Thislawdoesnotrequiremanufacturerstooperateacollectionsystem.Thecollectionsystemistobeoperatedbyretailers,whilethemanufacturerisresponsibleforincorporatingthecostofrecyclingintotheproductprice.

GreenChemistryLaw(2008)TheCADepartmentofToxicSubstancesControlisauthorizedtoevaluateandimposeregulationsonchemicalsusedinconsumerproducts.Inthecasethataproductcontainsahazardoussubstanceforwhichtheredoesnotexistaviablecommercialalternative,theDepartmentmayrequireamanufacturertoprovidefreecollectionofthatproduct.

Oregon

OregonE-Cycles(2007)astatewideprogramthatrequireselectronicsmanufacturerstoprovideresponsiblerecyclingforcomputers,monitorsandTVs.

AnActRelatingtoPaintStewardship(2009):Thepaintstewardshippilotprogramcollected900,000gallonsofleftoverpaintinthefirsttwoyears.Paintrecyclingisnowmoreconvenientthroughoutthestate,particularlyinareaswherelocalgovernmentsdonotofferpaintrecyclingopportunities.Communitiesthatwereunderservedhavenewservices.InJuly2010,thepaintindustrystartedaprogramtoreducepaintwaste,increasereuseandrecycling,andsafelydisposeofremainingunusablepaint.Costsforsafelymanagingleftoverpaintareincorporatedinthepurchasepriceofnewpaint.

Washington

ElectronicProductRecycling(2006):Startingin2009,electronicsmanufacturersinWashingtonbeganfinancingthecollection,transportation,andrecyclingsystemforE-Cycling.AsofApril2013,over174,526,600poundshavebeenrecycled.

ProductStewardshipRecyclingActforMercury-ContainingLights(2010):In2010,theWashingtonLegislaturepassedtheWashingtonMercury-ContainingLightingRecyclingAct(SB5543),establishingaproducer-financedproductstewardshipprogramforthecollection,transportationandrecyclingofmercury-containinglights:Light-CycleWashington.No-costrecyclingservicesmustbeprovidedforresidentsineachcountyand,ataminimum,ineverycitywithpopulationgreaterthan10,000.

22

FurtherInformation

CurrentprogramsinplaceshowthatEPRcanprovidelocalmunicipalitieswithsignificantcostsavings.Forexample,inSnohomishCounty,WashingtonelectronicsproducerswererequiredtoparticipateinanEPRprogramby2009duetostatelaw.Manufacturerswerefreetopartnerwithbothprivateandpublicsectorscollectionentitiesandtransferstationsandagreedtopay$.09perpoundofe-wastecollectedatcounty–operatedsites.Duringthefirst6monthsof2009,manufacturespaidthecounty$170,000toprovidecollectionfor1.9millionpoundsofelectronicsitreceived.Transportationandprocessingcostswerepaiddirectlybymanufacturers.BeforetheEPRsystem,thevendorcosttotheCountyfortransportationandprocessingwouldhavebeen$336,000.ThegrossvaluetotheCountywas$506,000(PSI2009).

AstudybytheGroceryManufacturersAssociation,representingretailersnation-wide,lookedatvariousEPRmodelsonamacroeconomicscaletoassesshowtheychangeconsumerbehaviorandwaste-reductionoutcomes.ItconcludesthattheEPRprogramsstudied"maynotprovideapricesignalthatissufficientlydifferentiatedtocauseproducerstochangepackageformats,"concludingthatthereis"noevidencetosupporttheassertionthatEPRcauseschangesinpackagedesignorselection"(GMA2012).

However,anotherstudybyResourcesfortheFuture,foundsomereductionsinmaterialuseandproduct/packagingdownsizinginresponsetoEPRpolicieswithinseveralcasestudies,spanningglobally.ItconcludedthattheEPRpolicieslookedatarenotlikelytoprovideastrongenoughpricesignaltocauseasystematicchangeinpackaging(Walls2006).

TheEPRWorkingGroup,theProductStewardshipInstituteandothershaveindicatedthatpolicydesigniskeytoincreasingrecyclingratesandincentivizingpackagingredesignandreductionsthroughEPR.TheEPRWorkingGroupassertsthatEPRprogramsshouldintentionallyplaceresponsibilityonthebrandownerwho,unlikeotherstakeholderssuchasdistributorsandretailers,hascontroloverproductdesign.Onekeyfactoristomaketheprogrammandatoryandenforceable.Thebenefitofsuchapolicy,accordingtotheWorkingGroup,isthatproducershaveflexibilitytodesigntheproductmanagementsystemtomeettheperformancegoalsestablishedbygovernment,withminimumgovernmentinvolvement.Tohavethemaximumimpacttowardreducingmarinedebris,policieswouldfollowtheresourceconservationhierarchyofreduce,reuse,recycle,andbeneficiallyuse(ProductStewardship2013).