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Assessing and Monitorin!
Floatable Debris
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Acknowledgements
James Woodley, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Oceans and
Coastal Protection Division, Marine Pollution Control Branch, Washington, DC, was the
primary author and project leader for this document.
Susan Hitch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oceans and Coastal Protection
Division, provided photos.
Dacia Mosso, Tetra Tech, Inc., Fairfax, Virginia, assisted in the effort.
Seba Sheavly, The Ocean Conservancy, Virginia Beach, Virginia provided valuable
contributions.
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MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR
I am pleased to provide you with a guidance document, Assessing and Monitoring Floatable
Debris, which will help states, tribes, and local governments address their problems with
floatable debris in our waterways and on our beaches.
In coastal communities across the nation and around the world, there is a growing concern
regarding the impacts of floatable debris on public health and the marine environment. Because
of recurring incidents such as entanglement of endangered species, loss of tourism, injured
beach-goers, eyesore views of coastal areas and damaged property, we are looking for solutions
to address this growing issue.
In October 2000, Congress passed the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health
(BEACH) Act. The BEACH Act, among other things, asked EPA to provide technical assistance
to states and local governments in assessing and monitoring their floatable materials.
The purpose of this document is to help states, tribes, and local governments develop programs
to assess and monitor their coastal recreation waters for floatable debris. These programs would
be used to help identify sources of floatable debris, protect human and animal health and safety
in those waters, and restore and preserve the overall coastal watershed and aquatic environment.
We are also concerned about the health of our beachgoers and have initiated a program to ensure
frequent monitoring of our beach waters, and that the information on water quality is made
available to the public. EPA has developed the National Beach Guidance and Required
Performance Criteria for Grants to address these issues.
EPA hopes that this document, Assessing and Monitoring Floatables Debris., along with the
efforts from the volunteers and the community, will help strengthen the future of our coastal
recreation waters by helping our citizens develop an environmental awareness that will last a
lifetime.
Christine Todd Whitman
Administrator
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
August 2002
Oceans and Coastal Protection Division
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
Office of Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Contents
Contents
Executive Summary ix
Section 1: Introduction 1-1
1.1 Importance of Coastal Watersheds 1-1
1.2 Impacts of Floatable Debris 1-2
1.2.1 Impacts on Wildlife 1-2
1.2.2 Impacts on Humans 1-4
1.3 Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 1-6
1.4 Other Floatable Debris-Related Legislation 1-6
Section 2: Types and Origins of Floatable Debris 2-1
2.1 Storm Water Discharges 2-2
2.2 Combined Sewer Overflows 2-3
2.3 Beachgoers and Other Nonpoint Sources 2-3
2.4 Ships and Other Vessels 2-3
2.5 Solid Waste Disposal and Landfills 2-4
2.6 Offshore Mineral and Oil and Gas Exploration/Production 2-4
2.7 Industrial Activities 2-4
2.8 Illegal Dumping or Littering 2-5
Section3: Current Floatable Debris Assessment and Monitoring Methodologies 3-1
3.1 Floatables Action Plan for New York and New Jersey Waters 3-1
3.1.1 Background 3-1
3.1.2 Goals 3-1
3.1.3 Methodology 3-2
3.1.4 Unique Characteristics 3-2
3.1.5 Contact Information 3-2
3.2 Combined Sewer Overflows Studies Program 3-2
3.2.1 Background 3-2
3.2.2 Goals 3-2
3.2.3 Methodology 3-3
3.2.4 Unique Characteristics 3-4
3.2.5 Contact Information 3-4
3.3 International Coastal Cleanup Campaign 3-4
3.3.1 Background 3-4
3.3.2 Goals 3-4
3.3.3 Methodology 3-5
3.3.4 Unique Characteristics 3-5
August 2002 ill
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Contents Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
3.3.5 Contact Information 3-5
3.4 National Marine Debris Monitoring Program 3-5
3.4.1 Background 3-5
3.4.2 Goals 3-6
3.4.3 Methodology 3-6
3.4.4 Unique Characteristics 3-7
3.4.5 Contact Information 3-7
3.5 Storm Drain Sentries Program 3-7
3.5.1 Background 3-7
3.5.2 Goals 3-7
3.5.3 Methodology 3-7
3.5.4 Unique Characteristics 3-8
3.5.5 Contact Information 3-8
3.6 Clean Marinas Program 3-8
3.6.1 Background 3-8
3.6.2 Goals 3-9
3.6.3 Methodology 3-8
3.6.4 Unique Characteristics 3-9
3.6.5 Contact Information 3-9
Section 4: Developing a Floatables Assessment and Monitoring Program 4-1
4.1 Marine Debris Survey Manual 4-1
4.1.1 Design Protocols for Monitoring and Assessment of Marine Debris .. 4-1
4.1.2 Variables to Be Considered Overall 4-2
4.1.3 Shipboard Sighting Surveys for Large Debris Items 4-2
4.1.4 Contact Information 4-2
4.2 Marine Debris Monitoring and Cleanup 4-3
4.2.1 Sampling Considerations and Options 4-3
4.2.2 Conducting a Marine Debris Cleanup 4-3
4.2.3 Contact Information 4-4
Section 5: Prevention and Mitigation Activities Associated with Floatable Debris 5-1
5.1 Plastic Pellet Containment 5-1
5.2 Combined Sewer Overflow Permit Conditions for Floatable Debris 5-1
5.3 Navesink River Nonpoint Source Program 5-2
5.4 Debris-Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads 5-2
5.5 National Estuary Programs 5-3
5.5.1 New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program 5-3
5.5.2 Long Island Sound Study 5-5
5.5.3 San Juan Bay Estuary 5-6
5.5.4 Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project 5-7
iv August 2002
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Contents
References and Additional Resources References-1
Glossary Glossary-1
Acronyms Acronyms-1
Appendix A: International Coastal Cleanup Data Card A-l
Appendix B: National Marine Debris Monitoring Program Data Card B-l
Appendix C: Storm Drain Stenciling Data Cards C-l
Appendix D: Surveys from the Marine Debris Survey Manual D-l
August 2002
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Executive Summary
Assessing and Monitor ing Floatable Debris is designed to assist states, tribes, and local
governments in developing their own assessment and monitoring programs for floatable debris in
coastal recreation waters. The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health
(BEACH) Act of 2000 defines coastal recreation waters as the Great Lakes and marine coastal
waters (including coastal estuaries) that are designated under section 303(c) of the Clean Water
Act by states. Coastal watersheds, which include coastal recreation waters as well as upstream
areas, beaches, nearshore waters, estuaries, oceans, and offshore habitats, are important
resources. They are a source of aesthetic beauty, recreation, and food, and they have local and
national economic value. These waters provide habitat for thousands of aquatic species and
represent a scientific resource. Despite their value, coastal recreation waters sometimes appear to
be a repository for trash and other types of wastes. The floatable materials in these wastes,
referred to as floatable debris, can have an adverse impact on both wildlife and humans. Turtles,
marine mammals, birds, fish, crustaceans, and other wildlife are affected primarily by
entanglement and ingestion. Floatable debris can also endanger human health and safety. For
example, some types of debris can pose a health risk through disease transmission, sharp objects
can cause injury, and floatable debris can disable vessels when propellers become entangled.
Floatable debris also is visually unappealing, which can cause economic losses from decreased
tourism, and potentially damaging to boats, which can financially harm a region's fishing
industry.
In response to growing concern regarding the impact of floatable debris, important legislation has
been passed and programs implementing the legislation have been established. In 1987,
Congress approved ratification of Annex V of the MARPOL treaty and enacted domestic
legislation known as the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act, which prohibits any
ship in U.S. waters from dumping plastics. Other floatable debris-related legislation includes the
Shore Protection Act of 1988; the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; and the
Clean Water Act, as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987. In October 2000, Congress
passed the BEACH Act. The BEACH Act authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to award program development and implementation grants to eligible states, territories,
tribes, and local governments to support microbiological testing and monitoring of coastal
recreation waters that are adjacent to beaches or similar points of access used by the public. It
also tasks EPA to provide technical assistance to states and local governments in establishing
assessment and monitoring programs for floatable materials. The BEACH Act defines floatable
materials as any foreign matter that may float or remain suspended in the water column. The
term includes plastic, aluminum cans, wood products, bottles, and paper products.
This document provides examples of monitoring and assessment programs that have been
established in the United States to address the impact of floatable debris, as well as examples of
mitigation activities to address floatable debris, and contact information. Section 1 of the
document discusses some of the impacts of floatable debris on the aquatic environment, and
describes the current legislation available to address those impacts.
vi August 2002
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Executive Summary
Section 2 of the document discusses the types and origins of floatable debris. The many types of
floatable debris and their origins include street litter, medical items, debris from industrial
activities, sewage-related items, galley waste from ships, fishing equipment, and items from
offshore mineral and oil and gas exploration activities. Floatable debris can be transported into
coastal recreation waters from land by improper disposal of trash by beachgoers, by rain washing
the debris into storm drains or directly into rivers and streams, or the debris being blown into the
waters from landfills, garbage bins, or litterbugs. It also can be deposited into coastal recreation
waters from ocean sources such as ships, recreational boaters, fishermen, and offshore oil and gas
exploration and production facilities. Floatable debris can travel long distances over the ocean
and be deposited far from its source.
Section 3 discusses a variety of plans and programs that have been developed and implemented
to assess and monitor floatable debris. Although each plan or program seeks to reduce floatable
debris, the specific objectives or strategies vary:
• The Floatables Action Plan, for example, was developed by an interagency work group to
reduce the number of ocean beach closings in New York and New Jersey due to floatable
debris.
• EPA initiated the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSOs) Studies Program to supplement
existing information on CSOs and storm water discharges (SWDs) as sources of floatable
debris. The program was implemented through monitoring of CSOs and SWDs, and it
provides a characterization of debris from those discharges.
The International Coastal Cleanup Campaign (ICCC) was established to conduct annual
cleanups and to characterize debris found on shorelines, underwater sites, waterways, and
beaches. The ICCC also is designed to increase public awareness about the impact of marine
debris.
The National Marine Debris Monitoring Program, established to characterize types of debris
washing onto beaches and the sources of that debris, is a statistically valid, 5-year scientific
study.
• Finally, the Storm Drain Sentries Program was developed to address the impact of floatable
debris on coastal watersheds from storm drain systems.
Section 4 presents recommendations for developing assessment and monitoring programs that
were presented in the Marine Debris Survey Manual, developed by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, and Chapter 16 of EPA's Volunteer Estuary Monitoring: A
Methods Manual (USEPA, 1993). The Marine Debris Survey Manual provides useful
information for designing marine debris surveys and assessment and/or monitoring programs,
considering important variables such as wind and the type of debris, and conducting shipboard
sighting surveys for large debris items. Chapter 16 of the Volunteer Estuary Monitoring: A
Methods Manual, includes recommendations for organizing a floatable debris monitoring and
cleanup program.
August 2002 vii
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Executive Summary Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Section 5 provides a number of examples of prevention and mitigation activities associated with
floatable debris that are under way around the country. The following are examples:
• The Society of the Plastics Industry partnered with EPA to characterize process operations in
the plastics industry and to identify potential sources of plastic pellet losses to the
environment. EPA reported its recommendations to the plastics industry.
• A CSO and storm water permit system is being developed in New York and New Jersey. The
system will address the control of solids and floatable debris.
The Navesink River Nonpoint Source Program was established to reduce nonpoint source
bacterial pollution in the Navesink estuary.
Some states, such as California, New York, and Alaska, have listed debris as a pollutant that
is causing impairment of their waters. A number of states, including California, have
developed or are in the process of developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) to
address the impact of debris.
Several National Estuary Programs have floatable debris management goals in their
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans. Some examples include: (1) the New
York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program; (2) the Long Island Sound Study; (3) the San
Juan Bay Estuary; and (4) the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project. These programs
address floatable debris by involving local communities in the assessment and monitoring
process.
viii August 2002
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Section I
Introduction
Importance of Coastal Watersheds
Impacts of Floatable Debris
Impacts on Wildlife
Impacts on Humans
Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000
Other Floatable Debris-Related Legislation
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 1
Section 1: Introduction
This document is designed to be a tool to help states, tribes, and local governments develop
programs to assess and monitor their coastal recreation waters for floatable material. Coastal
recreation waters are part of the coastal watershed. They are defined by the Clean Water Act
(CWA), as amended by the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH)
Act of 2000, as "the Great Lakes and marine coastal waters (including coastal estuaries) that are
designated under section 303(c) of CWA by states" and are used for swimming, bathing, surfing,
or similar water contact activities. The programs developed would be used to help identify
sources of floatable debris, protect human and animal health and safety in those waters, and
restore and preserve the overall coastal watershed and aquatic environment. Assessing and
Monitoring Floatable Debris also will help to preserve and strengthen local and state economies
by maintaining or increasing tourism in coastal communities.
Much of the information presented here comes from data collected by marine debris monitoring
studies and assessment programs already being implemented in the United States.
1.1 Importance of Coastal Watersheds
Oceans cover more than two-thirds of our planet and are extraordinary resources that contribute
to the health and well-being of people and other living things. Likewise, freshwater rivers,
streams, lakes, and other water bodies provide significant value to our coastal watersheds. A
watershed is a geographic area in which all sources of water, including lakes, rivers, estuaries,
wetlands, and streams, as well as ground water, drain to a common surface water body. Coastal
watersheds begin with the streams and rivers that ultimately flow to the coastal areas, and they
include upstream areas, beaches, nearshore waters, estuaries, oceans, and offshore habitats such
as coral reefs and shellfish beds that receive flow from the terrestrial watershed. These surface
waters provide a home for thousands of species of aquatic plants and animals and are important
to people because they yield an abundance of natural resources, such as nutritious foods and
pharmaceutical and petroleum products. In addition, these waters are appreciated for their great
beauty, recreational opportunities, and economic and scientific resources.
At the same time, however, coastal recreation waters have been used as a repository for trash and
other wastes. Although the aquatic environment can safely receive pollutants and wastes to some
degree, this ability is limited. This limitation is particularly significant now that part of our solid
waste stream is made up of synthetic materials, which can remain in the environment for many
years without decomposing. Some of the wastes consist of materials that are extremely buoyant
and thus can float many miles from the point where they originate.
August 2002 1-1
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Section 1
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
More and more people are moving near the
Nation's coasts, and the production of trash and
floatable debris continues to increase. Unless
we better control the disposal of trash and other
wastes, it is likely that the amount of such debris
entering our waterways will increase. In the
past, floatable debris on beaches and in
waterways was considered an eyesore. It has
now become evident, however, that such
materials can also have serious impacts on
human health, wildlife, the aquatic environment,
and the economy, and therefore the problem of
floatable debris should be addressed.
For the purpose of this document, the
terms floatable materials, floatable debris,
trash, and marine debris are used
interchangeably. Floatable materials is
defined by the BEACH Act to mean any
foreign matter that may float or remain
suspended in the water column and
includes plastic, aluminum cans, wood
products, bottles, and paper products.
1.2 Impacts of Floatable Debris
Floatable debris causes problems in coastal watersheds because it can easily come into contact
with aquatic animals, people, boats, fishing nets, and other objects. Thousands of aquatic
animals are caught in and strangled by floatable debris each year. Coastal communities also lose
money when littered beaches must be closed or cleaned up, and the fishing industry and
recreational and commercial boaters must spend thousands of dollars every year to repair vessels
damaged by floatable debris.
1.2.1 Impacts on Wildlife
The two primary problems that floatable debris poses to wildlife are entanglement and ingestion.
Entanglement results when an animal becomes encircled or ensnared by debris. It can occur
accidentally or when the animal is attracted to the debris as part of its normal behavior or out of
curiosity. For example, an animal might try to use a piece of floatable debris for shelter, as a
plaything, or as a source of food (if other plants and animals are already trapped in the debris or
if the debris resembles prey that is part of the animal's normal diet). Entanglement is harmful to
wildlife for several reasons. Not only can it cause wounds that can lead to infections or loss of
limbs, but it can also cause strangulation or suffocation. In addition, entanglement can impair an
animal's ability to swim, which can result in drowning or difficulty in moving about, finding
food, and escaping from predators.
Ingestion occurs when an animal swallows floatable debris. It sometimes occurs accidentally,
but usually animals feed on debris because it looks like food. Ingestion of debris can lead to
starvation or malnutrition if the ingested items block the intestinal tract, preventing digestion, or
accumulate in the digestive tract, making the animal feel "full" and lessening its desire to feed.
Ingestion of sharp objects can damage the mouth, digestive tract, or stomach lining and cause
1-2
August 2002
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Section 1
infection or pain. Ingested items also can block air passages and prevent breathing, thereby
causing death.
Marine mammals, turtles, birds, fish, and crustaceans all have been affected by entanglement in
or ingestion of floatable debris. Many of the species most vulnerable to the problems of floatable
debris are endangered or threatened. Endangered species are plants and animals that are in
immediate danger of becoming extinct because their population levels are extremely low.
Threatened species are plants and animals that might become endangered in the near future if
nothing is done to protect them.
It is estimated that some 100,000 marine mammals die every year from entanglement or ingestion
of floatables. Of the different types of marine mammals, seals and sea lions are the most affected
(particularly by entanglement) because of their natural curiosity and tendency to investigate
unusual objects in the environment. Packing straps and net fragments are a major problem for
these animals. Some studies have linked the decline of the northern fur seal of Alaska and the
endangered Hawaiian monk seal to entanglement in debris. Whales, including the endangered
humpback whale, right whale, and gray whale, have been found entangled in fishing nets and
line. Manatees, another
endangered species, have become
entangled in crab-pot lines, and
dolphins and porpoises have been
caught in fishing nets. Ingestion of
debris by marine mammals appears
to occur less frequently, but it has
been reported for elephant seals,
sea lions, certain types of whales,
and manatees. These cases are
significant because they have
usually contributed to or resulted
in the death of the animals due to
suffocation or starvation (USEPA,
1992b).
Right whales are at risk from entanglement in fishing gear
and collisions with ships (ENN, 1999). They are especially
vulnerable because they move slowly and spend extended
periods of time at or near the surface (Ferdinand, 2002). In
the summer of 2001, the attempted rescue of a right whale
entangled in fishing gear off the coast of Massachusetts
became a top news story. The right whale, fondly referred
to as Churchill, was suffering from a severe infection
caused by a synthetic line embedded in his upper jaw. The
rescue effort entailed tracking Churchill for 100 days by
beacon satellite, injecting him with drugs, and strapping a
harness to his tail to keep him from thrashing, while
attempting to remove the entangled fishing gear. The
mission eventually failed and Churchill became the sixth
right whale death in 2001 and the second that year as a
result of entanglement (Dooley, 2001).
Sea turtles also have become
entangled in floatable debris. All
of the five sea turtle species found in the United States are endangered species, and all have been
found entangled in different types of floatables debris, such as fishing line, rope, and fishing nets.
Ingestion of floatable debris is an even greater problem for these species. Sea turtles have been
found to swallow plastic bags because the bags look like jellyfish, one of their favorite foods. A
plastic bag can block a turtle's digestive tract, leading to starvation. Cases of turtles swallowing
balloons, tar balls, and debris that has become covered with algae also have been reported
(USEPA, 1992b).
August 2002
1-3
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Section 1 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Nearly a million seabirds are thought to die from entanglement or ingestion of floatable material
each year. Because most seabirds feed on fish, they are often attracted to fish that have been
caught or entangled in nets and fishing line. Entanglement in fishing line has been a particular
problem for the brown pelican, which is an endangered species. Seabirds are some of the most
frequent victims of abandoned nets. As many as 100 birds have been found in a single
abandoned net. Many birds, including ducks, geese, cormorants, and gulls, have been found
entangled in six-pack rings and other encircling debris. The ingestion of plastic resin pellets (the
small, round pellets that are melted and used to form plastic products) is a major concern. Many
types of birds have been found to feed on these pellets, most likely because they mistake them for
fish eggs or other types of food (USEPA, 1992b).
Fish and crustaceans such as lobsters and crabs are frequently caught in lost or discarded fishing
gear in a phenomenon known as ghost fishing. For example, a /^-mile section of nylon net was
found in Lake Superior. It had been abandoned for an estimated 15 years and contained 100
pounds offish, much of which was decomposing. Lost traps also continue to attract fish and
crustaceans, which enter them in search of food or shelter. In New England alone, nearly
500,000 lobster pots are lost every year (USEPA, 1992b).
Wildlife are affected when floatable debris _. , x. x „ .
,. , , . . T 1-11 Bioaccumulation refers to the degree to
disturbs their environment. Lost or discarded which an organism takes Up and retains a
contaminant from all applicable exposure
routes. Bioaccumulation takes into account
that organisms may accumulate
, , . ,. . . . ., ,, , . . contaminants through multiple exposure
debris can bioaccumulate in the food chain. routes and that the tota| accumu|ation wiN
fishing gear and nets can drag along the ocean
floor or through coral reefs, disrupting the
animals and plants that live there. In addition,
depend upon the rate of intake versus the
rate at which the organism is capable of
eliminating (through urine orfeces) or
breaking down the chemical through
metabolic processes (Ecorisk, 2002).
Bioaccumulation occurs when organisms low
on the food chain consume a substance that
builds up in their bodies. When animals
higher on the food chain eat those organisms,
they also ingest that substance and it
accumulates in their bodies. The higher an
animal is on the food chain, the greater the
quantity of the substance consumed and
accumulated. For example, eagles and other predators high on the food chain have been found
with large concentrations of plastic pellets in their stomachs after feeding on smaller birds, which
had previously ingested fish that had eaten the material. Also, floatable debris can smother
corals and other sessile benthic organisms. It can prevent the sunlight from reaching plants,
inhibiting their ability to produce energy through photosynthesis.
1.2.2 Impacts on Humans
Floatable debris also can have serious consequences for people. First, floatables can endanger
human health and safety. Sharp objects, such as broken glass and rusty metal, can cause injuries
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 1
when people step on them on the beach or ocean floor. Abandoned fishing nets and lines can
entangle scuba divers, and some divers have barely escaped serious injury or death. Floatables
that wrap around boat propellers or puncture holes in the bottom of boats can disable vessels,
thereby endangering human lives. This problem is especially serious if power is lost in a storm
and the boat cannot return to shore or steering is hampered and the boat cannot avoid a collision.
Submarines can be obstructed by abandoned fishing nets, making navigation and surfacing
difficult. Contaminated debris, including medical waste and sewage, can pose a public health
hazard through disease transmission. There is a strong correlation between swimmers in
contaminated waters and higher rates of gastrointestinal illness compared to nonswimmers.
During the summers of 1987 and 1988, beaches in New York and New Jersey were closed when
medical waste, including syringes and bandages from hospitals, washed up on their shores.
These beach closings caused many vacationers to go elsewhere, adversely affecting the
economies of the areas with closings.
Second, floating debris is an eyesore, and debris stranded on beaches and shorelines degrades
coastal aesthetics. Coastal communities lose millions of tourism dollars when large amounts of
floatables make their beaches unattractive to visitors. Not only does floatable debris cost coastal
communities lost revenues from tourism, but cleaning up beaches littered with floatables also can
be very expensive, and it can be disruptive to the aquatic organisms that may live there.
Finally, lost or discarded fishing gear can financially harm a region's fishing industry. In
addition to the costs associated with replacing the missing gear, floatable debris can cause costly
or irreparable damage to boats. Fishing nets can wrap around propellers, plastic sheeting can
clog cooling water intakes, and lost nets or lines can entangle vessels. In a 1987 survey in the
Seattle area, almost two-thirds of the people who responded to the survey indicated that their
boats had been damaged by floatables in the previous 2 years. When lobster or crab traps are
lost, they trap thousands of animals that consequently are never caught and sold. Ghost fishing
also kills thousands offish that might otherwise have found their way to market.
August 2002 1-5
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Section 1
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
1.3 Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000
The BEACH Act amended the Clean Water Act and required EPA
to accomplish the following:
Publish new or revised microbiological water quality criteria within
5 years of enactment and review the criteria every 5 years.
Ensure state or tribal adoption of existing microbiological water
quality criteria within 42 months of enactment and within 36
months of revisions.
Provide technical assistance to states, tribes, and local
governments for assessment and monitoring of floatable material.
Maintain a public right-to-know database.
Implement a state and tribal grant program for beach monitoring
and notification consistent with performance criteria.
Congress enacted the BEACH
Act on October 10, 2000. It is
designed to reduce the risk of
disease to users of the Nation's
coastal recreation waters. The
act authorizes the
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to award
program development and
implementation grants to
eligible states, territories,
tribes, and local governments
to support microbiological
testing and monitoring of
coastal recreation waters,
including the Great Lakes, that
are adjacent to beaches or
similar points of access used
by the public. BEACH Act grants also provide support for developing and implementing
programs to notify the public of the potential for exposure to disease-causing microorganisms in
coastal recreation waters.
The act also authorizes EPA to provide technical assistance to states and local governments for
the assessment and monitoring of floatable materials. In partially fulfilling that obligation,
through this document, EPA has compiled and presented the most current information available
addressing the assessment and monitoring of floatable debris.
1.4 Other Floatable Debris-Related Legislation
In response to growing concern over floatable debris, governments have taken actions nationally
as well as internationally, to reduce discharges at their source. For example, intentional at-sea
dumping of garbage generated on land became subject to international control in 1972 through
the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter
(commonly called the London Convention (LC)). Similarly, at-sea disposal of garbage generated
during the routine operation of ships (e.g., garbage not deliberately carried to sea for the purpose
of disposal) was addressed through a 1978 Protocol to the 1973 International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution by Ships (commonly called the MARPOL Convention). Specifically, the
1978 Protocol to the MARPOL Convention added five annexes, each dealing with a different
form of pollution from ships. Of these, Annex V established regulations on discharging ship-
generated garbage, including a prohibition on discharging any plastics at sea.
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 1
In 1987, two important actions were taken in the United States to address this marine pollution
problem. First, Congress approved the ratification of Annex V to the MARPOL Convention and
enacted domestic legislation known as the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act
(MPPRCA), which prohibited any ship in U.S. waters from dumping plastics. Second,
MPPRCA required EPA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and
the U.S. Coast Guard to work together to assess the feasibility of using volunteer groups in
monitoring floatable debris on the Nation's coastlines.
The Shore Protection Act of 1988 (33 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) (SPA) was enacted to minimize
trash, medical debris and other unsightly and potentially harmful materials from being deposited
into the coastal waters of the United States as a result of inadequate waste handling procedures
by vessels transporting wastes on U.S. coastal waters and at associated loading and offloading
facilities. EPA and the Department of Transportation (DOT) are assigned the responsibility for
implementing SPA. EPA is responsible for developing regulations implementing Sec. 4103 of
the Act which requires owners and operators of waste sources, vessels transporting waste, and
waste receiving facilities to take all reasonable steps to minimize the amount of municipal and
commercial waste deposited into coastal waters during various vessel and facility operations.
EPA proposed its implementing regulations on August 30, 1994 (Waste Handling Practices for
Vessels and Waste Transfer Stations, 40 CFR Part 237). The Department of Transportation
developed an interim permit and enforcement program such that all vessels transporting solid
wastes require a permit from the U.S. Coast Guard and concurrence from EPA that the vessel
owner or operator has not violated applicable environmental regulations. DOT's interim rule was
finalized in the spring of 2002.
Regulations under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (33 U.S.C. 1401 et
seq.) (MPRSA), promulgated in 1977, implement the London Convention nationally. The
regulations prohibit the transport for the purpose of dumping into the ocean of any "persistent
inert synthetic or natural materials which may float or remain in suspension in the ocean in such
a manner that they may interfere materially with fishing, navigation, or other legitimate uses of
the ocean." Activities involving transport of material for the purpose of disposal at sea are
regulated under this act, and permits granted by the Agency prohibit the transport of floatable
plastics or debris out to sea for the purpose of dumping.
As amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987, the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.)
requires EPA to establish regulations that treat storm water as point source discharges that must
be regulated. Under Phase I and Phase n of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Storm Water Program, EPA has issued regulations for storm water that require more
than 5,000 municipalities (including many in coastal areas), as well as many industrial facilities,
to obtain NPDES permits to discharge storm water. Specifically, Phase I requires NPDES permit
coverage for storm water discharges from storm water associated with industrial activity
(including construction sites greater than 5 acres in size) and from municipal separate storm
sewer systems (MS4s) located in incorporated places or counties that serve populations of
August 2002 ~
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Section 1 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
100,000 or more. The Phase n rule requires NPDES permit coverage for storm water discharges
from construction sites between 1 and 5 acres and from MS4s that serve areas with populations
less than 100,000 down to a lower limit based on the U.S. Census Bureau's definition of an
urbanized area. The permit prohibit non-storm water discharges to storm sewers and are leading
to improved source control techniques and best management practices. The best way for
municipalities and industries to meet the storm water regulation and protect the quality of our
waters is to prevent floatables and other pollutants from washing into storm sewers.
Pursuant to the same Water Quality Act, EPA issued the National CSO Control Strategy,
which also treats CSO discharge points as individual point sources, subject to NPDES permit
requirements. The strategy sets forth three objectives:
1. Ensure that all CSO discharges occur only as a result of wet weather.
2. Bring all wet weather CSO discharge points into compliance with the technology-based
requirements of the Clean Water Act and applicable state water quality standards.
3. Minimize water quality, aquatic biota, and human health impacts from wet weather overflows
that do occur.
EPA's National CSO Control Strategy confirms that CSOs are point sources independent of the
publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and reaffirms that both technology-based and water
quality-based requirements apply to CSOs. The strategy also emphasizes that CSO point sources
that discharge without a permit are unlawful and must be issued permits or be eliminated.
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Section 2
Types and Origins of
Floatable Debris
Storm Water Discharges
Combined Sewer Overflows
Beachgoers and Other Nonpoint Sources
Ships and Other Vessels
Solid Waste Disposal and Landfills
Offshore Mineral and Oil and Gas Exploration/Production
Industrial Activities
Illegal Dumping or Littering
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 2
Section 2: Types and Origins of Floatable Debris
Floatable debris comes from many sources, including the ocean, land, and atmosphere.
Floatables can be washed into the ocean by heavy rainfall, carried out to sea by rivers and
streams, picked up off a beach by waves and tidal action, or deposited in streams or oceans from
the atmosphere (i.e., balloons). Floating debris also can travel long distances over the ocean, and
when these items get into the ocean they can cause problems over a large area. The most buoyant
types of floatable debris are plastics and some types of rubber. Paper, wood, and cloth items
initially float but tend to sink once they become saturated with water. Glass, metal, and some
types of rubber sink unless air is trapped in pockets of the material.
Activities on land can also generate floatable debris. Such debris can be blown directly into the
ocean or can be transported to the ocean if blown into a river or stream that empties into the sea.
Objects that can be easily blown around are a particular problem because they can become
floatable debris even when originally disposed of in an appropriate manner. During storms and
other periods of high winds or high waves, almost any kind of trash (including glass, metal,
wood, and medical waste) can be deposited into the ocean. Careful collection, handling, and
disposal of trash, as well as attempts to reduce the amount of trash that must be disposed of, can
help to reduce the floatable debris problem. Sections 2.1 through 2.8 provide some examples of
the most common types and sources of floatables. Specific examples of types of debris released
from different sources are provided in Table 1.
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Section 2
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Table 1. Types and Sources of Floatable Debris
Source
Storm Water Discharges
Combined Sewer Overflows
Beachgoers and Other Nonpoint Sources
Ships and Other Vessels
Solid Waste Disposal and Landfills
Offshore Mineral and Oil and Gas Exploration
Industrial Activities
Illegal Dumping or Littering
Examples of Debris Released
Street litter (e.g., cigarette butts, filters, and
filter elements), medical items (i.e., syringes),
resin pellets, food packaging, beverage
containers, and other material from storm drains,
ditches, or runoff
Street litter, sewage-related items (condoms,
tampons, applicators), medical items (i.e.,
syringes), resin pellets, and other material from
storm drains, ditches, or runoff
Food packaging, beverage containers, cigarette
butts, toys, sewage, pieces of wood and siding
from construction projects, and trash (e.g.,
beverage containers, food packaging) left behind
by workers in forestry, agriculture, construction,
and mining
Fishing equipment (e.g., nets, lures, lines, bait
boxes, ropes, and rods), strapping bands, light
sticks (used by fishermen to light up fishing
lines and recreational divers), plastic salt bags,
galley wastes, household trash, plastic bags and
sheeting, and beverage yokes (six pack rings for
beverage containers)
Materials such as garbage and medical waste
Data-recording tape, plastic drill pipe thread
protectors, hard hats, gloves, and 55-gallon
drums
Plastic pellets and other materials
Food packaging, beverage containers, cigarette
butts, appliances, electronics, and ocean and
street litter
2.1 Storm Water Discharges
Storm water runoff (the water that flows along streets or along the ground as a result of a storm-
derived runoff) can carry street litter into storm drains, which convey this water and debris to a
nearby river or stream or even directly to the ocean. Typical floatables from storm water include
2-2
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 2
street litter (e.g., cigarette butts, filters, and filter elements), medical items (i.e., syringes), resin
pellets, food packaging, beverage containers, and other material that might have washed down a
storm drain or ditch or run off from land (e.g., styrofoam coffee and drink cups).
2.2 Combined Sewer Overflows
Pipes that carry a combination of sewage and storm water are known as combined sewers. In
many areas of the country with older sewer systems, sewage is carried in the same pipe system as
storm water runoff. Unlike separate storm drains, combined sewer pipes run to a sewage
treatment plant rather than directly into a nearby body of water. At the sewage treatment plant,
sewage is separated into sludge (solid waste materials) and wastewater. The sludge is dried and
either disposed of in a landfill or treated and sold as a fertilizer. The treated wastewater is
discharged into a river or other nearby waterway, free of solid waste. During heavy rains,
combined sewer overflows (CSOs) can occur, which is a result of too much volume. The
combined raw sewage and storm water are diverted directly into the nearest receiving waters.
The typical floatable debris from CSOs include street litter, sewage-related items (e.g., condoms,
tampons, applicators), medical items (i.e., syringes), resin pellets, and other material that might
have washed into the storm drains or run off land, as well as industrial wastes from non-
residential users of the sewer system.
2.3 Beachgoers and Other Nonpoint Sources
Every year thousands of people visit U.S. beaches. Many of these beachgoers leave behind
materials that become floatable debris—food packaging and beverage containers, cigarette butts,
and toys like plastic shovels, pails, and frisbees. This trash can be blown into the ocean, picked
up by waves, or washed into the water when it rains. Trash or materials that have blown directly
into the tributaries, streams, and rivers from yards, recreational areas, and other nonpoint sources
are also sources of floatable debris.
Nonpoint sources of marine pollution include agriculture, forestry, construction, urban runoff,
atmospheric fallout, ground water seepage, oil and other chemical spills and disposal, solid waste
disposal and its leachates, subsurface disposal of sewage and other wastes, and mining operations
(Caribbean Islands Directorate, 1989).
2.4 Ships and Other Vessels
Boats of all types are also sources of floatable debris. Fishing vessels are sources of fishing nets,
lines, lures, rope, bait boxes, strapping bands, light sticks, salt bags, galley wastes, household
trash, plastic bags and sheeting, beverage yokes, and other types of materials accidentally lost at
sea. Other types of vessels that are sources of floatable debris include recreational boats; military
and other government vessels; merchant marine vessels (e.g., ocean-going and domestic cargo
vessels, ocean and domestic tugs and barges, ocean liners, ferries, and small charter boats); and
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Section 2 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
educational, private research, and industrial vessels (USEPA, 1990). Trash can accidentally fall,
blow, or wash off vessels into the water. In some cases, trash is deliberately thrown overboard.
One major reason for the overboard disposal of trash is that there is limited storage space aboard
these vessels. Most of the time, however, trash is disposed of in the ocean by people who are
unaware of the problems this practice can cause.
2.5 Solid Waste Disposal and Landfills
Waste disposal activities can cause problems when trash is lost during collection or
transportation or when trash blows or is washed away from disposal facilities. This floatable
material can be of any type, but it is most commonly garbage. Medical waste is of particular
concern; but it seems to be adequately controlled in recent years, compared to the late 1980s.
EPA defines medical waste as cultures and stocks of infectious agents; human blood and blood
products; human pathological wastes, including those from surgery and autopsy; contaminated
animal carcasses from medical research; wastes from patients isolated with highly communicable
diseases; and all used sharps (e.g., needles, scalpels, etc.) and certain unused sharps. Solid waste
that is generated from hospitals includes administrative papers and records, wrappers from
bandages and catheters, intravenous (IV) bags and used vials, syringes and needles, and
disposable items such as tongue depressors and thermometer covers (USEPA, 1989).
2.6 Offshore Mineral and Oil and Gas Exploration/Production
Offshore oil and gas platforms are structures that are constructed in the ocean and form a base
from which oil and gas drilling is conducted. Because offshore oil and gas platforms are
surrounded by water, any items lost from these structures become floatable debris. As with
ocean vessels, trash has sometimes been intentionally discarded directly into the ocean from
these structures. Typical floatable debris generated from these platforms includes data-recording
tape, items like plastic drill pipe thread protectors, hard hats, gloves, and 55-gallon storage
drums. Oil and gas companies, however, are making an effort to prevent the disposal of trash
into the ocean from their platforms.
2.7 Industrial Activities
Industrial facilities contribute to the floatable debris problem when waste items generated by
industrial processes (production scraps, flawed products, and packaging material) are improperly
disposed of on land. Finished products also can become floatable debris if they are lost during
loading and unloading at port facilities or they are lost when they are transported through
waterways or over land. An example is plastic resin pellets, the small spheres produced as the
raw form of plastic. Manufacturing facilities use the pellets to make plastic products. During
plastic resin pellet production, transportation, and processing, some resin pellets can be released
into the environment. As with other types of trash, wind and storm water can carry these pellets
to nearby water bodies.
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 2
2.8 Illegal Dumping or Littering
Littering and illegal dumping of waste are both sources of floatable debris. The land-based
debris can blow or wash into water bodies. People who litter are a significant source of floatable
debris. Litter sometimes directly becomes floatables when it is discarded in the ocean or on the
beach. In addition to the obvious problem of debris in coastal recreation waters, litter discarded
hundreds of miles inland also can become floatable debris when it gets into streams, rivers,
estuaries, and the ocean. Littering and illegal dumping can also occur from vessels and oil and
gas exploration and production platforms.
August 2002 2-5
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Section 3
Current Floatable Debris
Assessment and Monitorim
<
Methodologies
Floatables Action Plan
Combined Sewer Overflows Studies Program
International Coastal Cleanup Campaign
National Marine Debris Monitoring Program
Storm Drain Sentries Program
Clean Marinas Program
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 3
Section 3: Current Floatable Debris Assessment and Monitoring
Methodologies
This section provides examples of current plans and programs for assessing and monitoring
floatable debris. Although each plan or program seeks to reduce floatable debris in the long
term, the specific objectives or strategies of the plans vary. Examples of different objectives
include beach cleanup, education, direct floatable debris reduction in specific waterways,
classification and tallying of floatable debris for further analysis, and source determination. Most
assessment and monitoring programs use volunteers to help with conducting cleanups and
collecting and characterizing floatable debris. Determining the type, amount, and sources of
floatable debris is an important first step in reducing the amount of floatables reaching aquatic
environments.
3.1 Floatables Action Plan for New York and New Jersey Waters
3.1.1 Background
The Floatables Action Plan was developed in 1989 by an interagency work group addressing
ocean beach closings in New York and New Jersey waters due to debris washing onto the
beaches. This plan is designed to reduce the number of such ocean beach closings.
Implementation of the plan was facilitated by the use of helicopter and vessel surveillance,
cleanup vessels, volunteers, and prison inmates.
3.1.2 Goals
The Floatables Action Plan is designed to accomplish the following objectives:
• Minimize the amount of floatable debris escaping the Harbor Complex.
• Maintain an effective communication network to coordinate floatable debris removal
activities and to respond to the spotting of slicks.
• Ensure timely notification of beach operators of potential wash-ups of floatable debris.
• Minimize beach closings due to floatable debris.
The plan defines floatable debris as waterborne waste material that is buoyant. Examples include
wood, beach litter, aquatic vegetation, street litter, sewage-related wastes, fishing gear, and
medical wastes. A number of agencies are implementing the plan.
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Section 3 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
3.1.3 Methodology
The plan calls for the use of skimmer vessels to contain and remove floatable debris before it
escapes from the harbor; helicopter flyovers, which provide aerial surveillance to potentially
reduce the impact of debris slicks spotted off the coasts; and the use of prison inmates to remove
shoreline debris.
3.1.4 Unique Characteristics
The success of the Floatables Action Plan is the result of a partnership involving New York, New
Jersey, and local municipalities. The plan uses multimedia approaches, such as aerial
surveillance, coastal cleanup of the beaches by volunteers, and containing and removing debris
from areas around storm water and CSO dischargers, to reduce the impact of debris on the coasts.
3.1.5 Contact Information
For more information regarding the Floatables Action Plan, contact Larry Gaugler
(gaugler.larry@epa.gov), EPA Region 2, Floatables Coordinator, Division of Enforcement and
Compliance Assistance, EPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.
3.2 Combined Sewer Overflows Studies Program
3.2.1 Background
In November 1988, to supplement existing information on CSOs and storm water discharges
(SWDs) as sources of floatable debris to the aquatic environment, EPA initiated the CSO Studies
Program.
3.2.2 Goals
The following are the goals of the CSO Studies Program:
• Characterize CSOs and SWDs as land-based sources of plastic debris in the aquatic
environment.
• Determine the types and relative amounts of floating debris contributed by these two sources.
Characterize the types and composition of debris in Philadelphia and Boston sewage
treatment plants (referred to as water pollution control plants [WPCPs] and publicly owned
treatment works [POTWs]) to determine the potential waste releases from these facilities
during system failures.
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 3
3.2.3 Methodology
To implement the CSO Studies Program, a two-component study design was developed. The
first component, monitoring of CSOs and SWDs, consisted of the following activities (Battelle
Ocean Sciences, 1993):
• Outfall reconnaissance. Before making final selections, several CSOs and SWDs were
visited to determine the suitability and representativeness of each outfall as a candidate for
study.
• Outfall selection. Representative CSOs and SWDs were selected based on information
acquired through site visits and examination of land use maps and plans.
• Outfall sampling. Custom-made nets for containment of debris discharged from selected
CSOs and SWDs were designed, manufactured, and installed..
• Discharge event response. Floatable debris samples were collected from the containment net
at each outfall during or after at least three major storm or discharge events.
• Sample analysis. Samples were analyzed to characterize and quantify the types of debris
collected.
The second component, which focused on characterizing debris from POTWs and WPCPs,
included the following activities:
• POTW and WPCP selection. Identification and selection of sewage treatment facilities for
sampling man-made debris.
• POTW and WPCP sampling. Sampling of measured volume of debris (relative to the daily
volume of debris) collected by the screening units for the settling and clarifying tanks. Also,
sample a measured volume (relative to the daily volume) of scum from the skimmer tanks.
• Preprocessing. Separation of all natural materials (including large pieces of cut lumber) and
polystyrene foam from man-made debris. Count numbers of dead animals, food items
(oranges, apples, etc.), and large pieces of man-made debris, and estimate the amount of fecal
matter. Record types and numbers of items removed from the man-made material.
• Sample processing and analysis. Sorting of man-made debris from scum and screening
samples and enumerate items.
Candidate CSO and SWD outfalls were selected according to the following criteria:
• Accessibility. Outfalls had to be accessible by land or small boat.
• Outfall water depth. Water depth at the site had to be shallow (less than 20 feet at high tide).
• Representativeness. Drainage areas had to be residential or commercial.
• Outfall dimensions. The dimensions of each outfall had to be such that the deployed nets
would capture all material discharged during a sampling event.
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Section 3 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
In addition to the four criteria discussed previously, sewage treatment facilities were selected on
the basis of the accessibility of screens and the sedimentation tank clarifiers.
3.2.4 Unique Characteristics
The CSO Studies Program provided EPA with preliminary information on the types and amounts
of floating debris discharged from commercial and residential wastewater and storm water
outfalls in Philadelphia and Boston. The program also provided information on the types and
amounts of floatable debris removed by sewage treatment facilities in each city.
3.2.5 Contact Information
For more information, contact Doug Pabst (pabst.doug@epa.gov), USEPA Region 2, 24th Floor,
290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007-1866 or U.S. EPA's Oceans and Coastal Protection
Division at (202)-566-1200.
3.3 International Coastal Cleanup Campaign
3.3.1 Background
The Ocean Conservancy, formerly known as the Center for Marine Conservation, established and
maintains the annual International Coastal Cleanup Campaign (ICCC) with support from EPA
and other stakeholders. The first cleanup was in 1986 in Texas, and the campaign currently
involves all of the states and territories of the United States and more than 100 countries around
the world. The ICCC is the largest volunteer environmental data-gathering effort and associated
cleanup of coastal and underwater areas in the world. It takes place every year on the third
Saturday in September.
3.3.2 Goals
The mission of the ICCC is as follows:
• Remove debris from the shorelines, waterways, and beaches of the world's lakes, rivers, and
bordering oceans.
• Collect and catalog information on the amounts and types of debris.
• Educate people on the issue of floatable debris.
• Use the information collected from the cleanup to effect positive change—on all levels, from
the individual to the international—to reduce floatable debris and enhance marine
conservation.
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 3
The ICCC provides inspiration to hundreds of thousands of people who mobilize along
waterways and beaches worldwide for the annual cleanup.
3.3.3 Methodology
The ICCC is a nonscientific survey designed to provide an annual "snapshot" of floatable debris
pollution affecting the shorelines of the U. S. and around the world. Each U.S. state/territory and
foreign country participating in the ICCC has a designated Cleanup Coordinator who, by the
early spring of each year, begins preparations for the September event. Within each
state/territory and country, a local network of site captains are organized and supplied with the
materials and information necessary to conduct the local events. Supplies, provided by The
Ocean Conservancy, include data cards, trash bags, gloves, posters, and associated educational
materials. During the 3-hour ICCC event, volunteers collect, catalogue, and weigh the debris
found on their beaches and shorelines. Information is recorded and catalogued on the ICCC data
cards by the volunteers, and the information is returned to The Ocean Conservancy to be
processed and tabulated. The Ocean Conservancy compiles the data and produces annual debris
summary reports. Refer to Appendix A to review the data forms used by local coordinators and
2001 U.S. data summaries.
3.3.4 Unique Characteristics
The success of this event is the result of volunteerism and sponsorship. In 2001, over 140,000,
people across the U.S. participated in the cleanup. They removed about 3.6 million pounds of
debris from more than 7,700 miles of coasts, shorelines, and underwater sites. The 3.6 million
pounds of debris constitutes more than 3.7 million debris items. Most of the states and local
organizations involved have multiple sponsors to support their efforts.
3.3.5 Contact Information
For more information, visit The Ocean Conservancy web site at www.oceanconservancy.org or
contact The Ocean Conservancy headquarters, 1725 DeSales Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington,
DC 20036. Additional information about the cleanup is available from
www.epa.gov/OWOW/oceans/debris or by contacting EPA's Oceans and Coastal Protection
Division at (202)-566-1200.
3.4 National Marine Debris Monitoring Program
3.4.1 Background
EPA along with other federal agencies helped to design the National Marine Debris Monitoring
Program (NMDMP), and EPA is supporting The Ocean Conservancy's implementation of the
study. NMDMP is designed to gather scientifically valid marine debris data following a rigorous
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Section 3 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
statistical protocol. The NMDMP is designed to identify trends in the amounts of marine debris
affecting the U.S. coastline and to determine the main sources of the debris. This scientific study
is conducted every 28 days by teams of volunteers at randomly selected study sites along the U.S.
coastline. The program began in 1996 with the establishment of 40 monitoring sites ranging
from the Texas/Mexico border to Port Everglades, Florida, and includes Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands. The NMDMP calls for the establishment of 180 monitoring sites located along
the coast of the contiguous U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To
date 163 study sites have been designated and 128 sites are collecting data. The program will run
for a 5-year period once all of the study sites have been established.
3.4.2 Goals
The NMDMP is designed to answer two specific questions:
• Is the amount of debris on our coastlines increasing or decreasing?
• What are the major sources of this debris?
3.4.3 Methodology
As a result of power analysis, fiscal constraints, and logistics, the NMDMP has developed the
following guidelines:
Statistical power analysis is the evaluation of
the ability to detect significant statistical
results when real differences exist in a
particular monitoring variable. Application of
this tool enables the investigation of the
statistical implications of alternative sampling
strategies (e.g., numbers of sample
replicates or sampling stations). This
application is especially useful in designing
new monitoring programs or in evaluating
the effectiveness (or cost efficiency) of
existing programs (USEPA, 1987).
Approximately 88,000 miles of U.S.
coastline (including Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands) have been divided into
nine regions based on available information
on the types of marine debris found, the
prevailing currents, and logistics.
Twenty 500-meter sites per region will be
surveyed monthly. The potential sites are
selected based on specific criteria (e.g.,
substratum, slope) advocated by other
marine debris monitoring studies and then
finally selected by a geographically
stratified random selection process.
Approximately 30 indicator items will be
surveyed every 28 to 30 days, on the same day at all 20 sites within a region. This approach
will facilitate regional as well as national comparisons.
The monitoring will be conducted by trained and certified volunteer surveyors, who will be
guided and checked by a survey director, who in turn is supervised by the program team.
The program will adhere to all scientific protocol, and quality assurance procedures will be
conducted to ensure quality at all levels of the program.
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 3
The study will detect a 30 percent change in the frequency of indicator items over 5 years (if
it occurs), with a power of 0.84 and a Type I error of 0.10.
Refer to Appendix B for examples of the data forms used in the NMDMP.
3.4.4 Unique Characteristics
The program considers the physical characteristics of the beach (e.g., slope, substratum,
composition, uniformity), prevailing weather patterns (e.g., onshore winds, frequency of storms),
beach accessibility (e.g., private or public roads and parking nearby), and beach debris
composition (e.g., land-based and ocean-based categories). Any of these variables has the ability
to influence the number of potential beaches that can be used for sampling.
3.4.5 Contact Information
For more information, visit www.oceanconservancy.org or contact The Ocean Conservancy
headquarters, 1725 DeSales Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036. Additional
information about NMDMP is available from www.epa.gov/OWOW/oceans/debris or by
contacting U.S. EPA's Oceans and Coastal Protection Division at (202)-566-1200.
3.5 Storm Drain Sentries Program
3.5.1 Background
The Ocean Conservancy (formerly the Center for Marine Conservation) in partnership with EPA,
has established a program to raise awareness and prevent floatable debris (among other
pollutants) from being washed down storm drains and ultimately reaching coastal recreation
waters. The Storm Drain Sentries program aims to increase public awareness regarding the
impact of trash and other pollutants being dumped or poured into storm drains by painting
warning messages on one million storm water drains across the United States. Volunteers stencil
storm drains with clean water messages such as "Don't Dump! Protect Your Water."
3.5.2 Goals
The goals of the program include: (1) educating people about the connection between people,
land, and waterways and the detrimental effects of nonpoint source pollution; and
(2) dramatically demonstrating the problem's pervasiveness by identifying the locations of the
stenciled drains as potential portals for the introduction of floatable debris into coastal recreation
waters.
3.5.3 Methodology
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Section 3 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
The Ocean Conservancy sends interested groups a storm drain stenciling kit that contains a fact
sheet about nonpoint source pollution, its impacts, and what citizens can do to prevent it. The kit
also contains instructions for managing a stenciling project and a data card for recording the
number of storm drains stenciled and the types of pollutants found around each (CMC, 2000).
Refer to Appendix C for examples of storm drain stenciling data cards.
3.5.4 Unique Characteristics
This program, which continues to grow rapidly, involves more than 90 organizations in 34 states
and Canada. Volunteers have painted more than 330,000 storm drains. State and local
governments, as well as private groups and citizens, have also joined the program (CMC, 1998).
3.5.5 Contact Information
For more information, visit www.oceanconservancy.org or contact The Ocean Conservancy
headquarters, 1725 DeSales Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036. Additional
information about the Storm Drain Sentries Program can be obtained from
www.epa.gov/OWOW/oceans/debris or by contacting U.S. EPA's Ocean and Coastal Protection
Division at (202) 566-1200. Stencils on loan and project guidelines can be obtained from Ron
Ohrel of The Ocean Conservancy at (757)-496-0920.
3.6 Clean Marinas Program
3.6.1 Background
The EPA document, National Management Measures Guidance to Control Nonpoint Source
Pollution from Marinas and Recreational Boating (USEPA, 200Ib), promotes clean marinas
through management measures and practices to achieve clean water. Each management measure
addresses approaches to prevent nonpoint source pollution, including trash that could become
floatable debris, from adversely affecting receiving waters. The measures identified relate to the
siting and design of new and expanding marinas and to the good housekeeping activities
practiced at marinas.
3.6.2 Goals
The program's goals are to increase awareness of clean water at and within marinas, to protect
coastal and inland waterways, and to prevent the degradation of coastal habitats from nonpoint
source pollution.
3.6.3 Methodology
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 3
Good marina water quality depends on water circulation within the boat basin. In a poorly
flushed boat basin, floatables and other pollutants tend to concentrate and collect in corners,
poorly flushed coves, and secluded or protected areas to cause offensive odors, stagnant water,
and reduced dissolved oxygen. Good flushing of marina basins in tidal waters is primarily driven
by the ebb and flow of the tide. Inland basin flushing in lakes and rivers depends on wind-driven
circulation and current speed. Marina flushing is enhanced by design considerations such as
limiting the number of enclosed areas in the marina, and vice versa, providing an open design
with more than one entrance, ensuring that the entrance channel is not deeper than adjacent
channels and the depth of the basin, and using mechanical aerators.
3.6.4 Unique Characteristics
Clean Marinas is a voluntary program that encourages marina managers to adopt best
management practices to address the impacts of nonpoint source pollution. It also includes
management practices that promote the proper and safe handling of solid and liquid waste, fish
waste, petroleum control, boat cleaning, sanitation, and pumpout systems for boat holding tanks.
3.6.5 Contact Information
For more information, visit EPA's web site at www.epa.gov/owow/nps or call EPA's Assessment
and Watershed Protection Division at (202) 566-1146.
August 2002 3-9
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Section 4
Developing a Floatables
Assessment and Monitorin<
<
Program
Marine Debris Survey Manual
Marine Debris Monitoring and Cleanup
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 4
Section 4: Developing a Floatables Assessment and Monitoring
Program
This section provides recommendations for developing programs to assess and monitor floatable
debris, including specific information about designing floatable debris surveys. The section also
provides information from volunteer organizations regarding floatable debris monitoring and
cleanup strategies.
4.1 Marine Debris Survey Manual
The Marine Debris Survey Manual (Ribic et al., 1992) provides information useful to managers,
researchers, government officials, and others interested in designing marine debris surveys. The
manual could be used to develop a floatable debris assessment and/or monitoring program at the
state or local government level. Listed in sections 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 are some of the variables the
manual discusses as important, which should be considered when developing such a program
(Ribic etal., 1992).
4.1.1 Design Protocols for Monitoring and Assessment of Marine Debris
These protocols should be followed when designing a monitoring and assessment program for
marine debris:
• State the objectives clearly.
• Define the population of interest.
• Collect information (e.g., physical features, weather patterns, historical information) on the
geographic areas of interest to develop a sampling plan.
• Define the field measurements to be made.
• Examine data from previous studies or conduct pilot studies to approximate the likely
variability in the field measurements.
• Develop a quality assurance program plan to ensure that the data collected will be of high
quality, verifiable, and defensible.
• Develop field sampling designs and measurement procedures that will yield representative
data from the defined population, along with a specified variance or confidence limit. If
necessary, make decisions on identifying the source of debris (vessel-source versus land-
based).
• Determine the statistical analyses to be used.
• Conduct the study according to the written protocol.
• Analyze the data.
• Evaluate the study. (Were the objectives met? Were the collected data adequate to meet the
stated objectives? Should the design be modified?)
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Section 4 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
4.1.2 Variables to Be Considered Overall
When designing an assessment and monitoring program, the following variables should be
considered:
• Wind direction and speed.
Current direction and speed.
• Location of outfalls in the path of the wind and current.
Size and type of debris.
• Discharge-specific debris.
Tidal range.
4.1.3 Shipboard Sighting Surveys for Large Debris Items
Open-water sighting surveys are used to identify and count floating debris from an elevated
platform on a moving ship. The transect width may vary from 100 meters to the visual horizon,
depending on the type of debris being studied. Surveys are typically conducted from the glare-
free side of the ship, and objects are sighted visually, unaided or with binoculars. The following
are typical objectives for open-water sighting surveys (Ribic et al., 1992):
• Identify types of floatable debris.
• Estimate densities of floatable debris.
• Identify areas of low or high concentrations of floatable debris relative to other
oceanographic features (e.g., currents, convergence zones) or man-made structures (e.g.,
offshore oil platforms).
• Relate floating debris to entanglement or other effects on animals.
• Detect temporal and spatial changes in the occurrence of floatable debris.
In planned studies, debris in specific oceanic areas is considered to be the population of interest,
which must be defined by the researcher.
Copies of marine debris survey forms included in the Marine Debris Survey Manual are provided
in Appendix D.
4.1.4 Contact Information
The information provided in this section was taken from the Marine Debris Survey Manual.,
NOAA Technical Report NMFS 108, April 1992, by Christine A. Ribic, Trevor R. Dixon, and
Ivan Vining. Copies of the report can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Commerce,
National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161.
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 4
4.2 Marine Debris Monitoring and Cleanup
Marine debris monitoring information from volunteer organizations can be used to assess debris
sources, identify areas where public education and outreach are necessary, and evaluate the
success of legislation enacted against littering and ocean dumping. The information that follows
was taken from Chapter 16 of Volunteer Estuary Monitoring: A Methods Manual. This
information can be used to organize a volunteer floatable debris monitoring and cleanup
program, with specific emphasis on data collection and data uses (USEPA, 1993a).
4.2.1 Sampling Considerations and Options
Marine debris cleanup programs generally fall into two categories: (1) programs that collect and
remove debris and (2) programs that collect and remove debris and also record information on
the amounts and types of debris found. Marine debris cleanup and monitoring programs should
address the following questions before proceeding with any activity:
• Why do you want to conduct a cleanup?
• What do you want to accomplish?
• Do you want to conduct a cleanup to just remove debris, or do you want to collect some kind
of data? If so, what kind of data should be collected (the type of data should be determined
by the goal(s) of the program)?
• What will the data be used for (e.g., monitoring debris type or accumulation trends,
identifying the debris sources, or influencing legislation)?
• Will this be a 1-day event, or will it need to be repeated periodically?
• What are the limits of the data?
4.2.2 Conducting a Marine Debris Cleanup
Depending on the scope and data needs of the program, organizing such an event can take either
a few days or a few months. The following actions are required for a successful cleanup
program:
• Identifying debris collection sites that are safe and accessible to volunteers.
• Identifying site coordinators who can manage cleanup activities at each site.
• Locating a waste hauler who will donate services to the project.
• Planning recycling options.
• Arranging for weight scales and other necessary equipment to be at the site.
• Soliciting volunteers to participate in the activity and providing training prior to the event.
• Working with the media (as appropriate) to obtain coverage of the event or have it
photographed or videotaped.
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Section 4 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
• Maintaining a list of people who might participate to get some indication of the number of
participants expected at the cleanup site.
• Preparing for health emergencies.
• Ensuring that volunteers know what to do with dead, entangled, or injured animals.
Contacting potential sponsors to obtain donations of supplies, food, drinks, prizes, and
whatever else might be needed.
• Inspecting equipment.
• Establishing and setting up check-in points.
Coordinating volunteers at cleanup sites.
• Collecting data cards.
• Distributing prizes and other items to the volunteers.
• Disposing of the debris.
Compiling cleanup information.
• Following up with site coordinators and key volunteers with results and future action.
• Providing data to state, local, or federal government agencies as appropriate.
4.2.3 Contact Information
The information provided in this section was taken from Chapter 16 of Volunteer Estuary
Monitoring: A Methods Manual. For more information, visit the EPA web page at
www.epa.gov/owow/estuaries/monitor/chptrl6.html or contact U.S. EPA's Ocean and Coastal
Protection Division at (202) 566-1200.
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Section 5
Prevention and Mitigation
Activities Associated with
Floatable Debris
Plastic Pellet Containment
Combined Sewer Overflow Permit Conditions for Floatable Debris
Navesink River Nonpoint Source Program
Debris-Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads
National Estuary Programs
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 5
Section 5: Prevention and Mitigation Activities Associated with
Floatable Debris
This section provides examples of prevention and mitigation activities associated with floatable
debris, including recommendations to industry regarding plastic pellets, permit conditions,
TMDLs, and selected National Estuary Program (NEP) mitigation activities.
5.1 Plastic Pellet Containment
The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) worked with EPA to characterize process
operations in the plastics industry and to identify potential sources of pellet losses to the
environment. SPI is the major national trade association representing the plastics industry. The
release of pellets from pellet producers, transporters/contract packagers, and processors can be
controlled through actions identified in an EPA study on plastic pellets in the aquatic
environment (USEPA, 1992a). Recommendations to the plastics industry included the following
(USEPA, 1993b):
• Adopt the SPI 1991 Pellet Retention Environmental Code and the 1992 Processor's Pledge.
The code is a commitment to total containment of plastic pellets. It encourages source
reduction activities to prevent releases and suggests ways to recapture spilled pellets.
• Educate employees and train them to minimize pellet spillage and loss.
• Install pellet containment systems or use portable containment apparatuses.
• Institute pellet containment activities during routine plant operations.
• Recycle spilled pellets.
• Improve the quality and frequency of pellet spill cleanup procedures.
• Use puncture-resistant packaging and minimize the use of valved bags.
• Inspect shipping vehicles (e.g., rail hopper cars, bulk trucks, freight trucks) before and after
loading and offloading of pellets.
• Inspect shipping containers before and after loading and offloading of pellets.
To obtain a copy of the complete report, Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and
Recommendations (EPA 842-B-92-010), contact the National Service Center for Environmental
Publications atrP.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242-0419, (800) 490-9198,
ncepimal@one.net, www.epa.gov/ncepihom/.
5.2 Combined Sewer Overflow Permit Conditions for Floatable Debris
New York and New Jersey are coordinating a CSO and storm water permit system. It will
address the permit programs applying to CSO discharges, efforts to reduce CSOs, control of
solids and floatable debris, and issues relevant to interstate water planning coordination (USEPA,
1998b). Additional information about the permit system is available from the New Jersey
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Section 5 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) at www.state.nj.us/dep/index.html or from the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) at www.dec.state.ny.us.
5.3 Navesink River Nonpoint Source Program
The Navesink Watershed Management Project, established in New Jersey, began in 1981 as a
major interagency initiative involving environmental groups, civic organizations, and federal,
state, county, and municipal agencies. The purpose of the project is to reduce nonpoint source
bacterial pollution in the Navesink estuary, specifically from boats, agricultural runoff, and urban
and suburban runoff (Scro and Eisele, 1993). To control pollution from boats and marinas,
several organizations have taken the lead in determining the extent of recreational boating, the
infrastructure needed to reduce related sewage, and the need for education to change the behavior
of boaters and marina operators. Other organizations have successfully advocated statutory
changes, planning, and other measures to deal with boating-related pollution (Chess and Gibson,
2000).
The Navesink Project has shown that nonpoint source programs need to be flexible and
innovative, and developed on a site-specific basis. Programs must be created by the parties that
will play an integral role in resource management in order to gain support (USEPA, 1995). The
Harbor Estuary Program has funded a study to examine the effectiveness of certain identified
best management practices (e.g., regular catch basin maintenance, street vacuuming, and storm
water filtration screens). Water quality is monitored before and after implementation (USEPA,
1998b).
More information about the Navesink Project is available in the Navesink Watershed
Management Effort (Chess and Gibson, 2000), Navesink River Water Monitoring Project (Scro
and Eisele, 1993), or EPA's Nonpoint Source News Notes (USEPA, 1995).
5.4 Debris-Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant
that a waterbody can receive and meet water quality standards, along with an allocation of that
amount to the pollutant's sources. Section 303 of the CWA establishes the TMDL program.
Water quality standards are set by states, territories, and tribes. They identify the uses for each
water body, for example, drinking water supply, contact recreation (i.e., swimming), and aquatic
life support (i.e., fishing), and the scientific criteria to support each use. Calculation of a TMDL
includes summing the allowable loads of a single pollutant from all contributing point and
nonpoint sources. TMDLs apply the standard by setting the maximum amount of pollutants and
then allocating that load between point and nonpoint sources. In addition, a TMDL must include
a margin of safety based on the uncertainty in the calculations and must consider the seasonality
of the particular pollutant.
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 5
On their 1998 303(d) lists, California, New York, Alaska, Washington, and Connecticut
identified a total of 62 waterbodies as water quality impaired because of debris, trash, floatables
and/or large woody debris. California has developed 3 TMDLs for trash. For more information
about the TMDL program, visit the website at www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl.
5.5 National Estuary Programs
The National Estuary Program (NEP) was established in 1987 by amendments to the Clean
Water Act. The purpose of the NEP is to identify, restore, and protect nationally significant
estuaries of the United States. Unlike traditional regulatory approaches to environmental
protection, the NEP targets a broad range of issues and involves local communities in the
process. It focuses on improving water quality in estuaries and on maintaining the integrity of
the whole system—its chemical, physical, and biological properties and its economic,
recreational, and aesthetic values (USEPA, 200la).
The NEP is designed to encourage local communities to be responsible for managing their
estuaries. Each program consists of representatives from Federal, state, and local government
agencies responsible for managing the estuary's resources, as well as community members such
as citizens, educators, researchers, and business leaders. Stakeholders work together to identify
the estuary's problems, develop specific actions to address those problems, and create and
implement a formal management plan to restore and protect the estuary. There are currently 28
NEP programs. More information about the NEP is available at www.epa.gov/owow/estuaries.
5.5.1 New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program
EPA authorized the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program (FIEP) in 1987. The
program is a multiyear effort to develop and implement a plan to protect, conserve, and restore
the estuary. Program participants include scientists, citizens, business interests,
environmentalists, representatives from local, state, and Federal environmental agencies, and
others (HEP, 1996).
One component of HEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) is the
management of floatable debris. The goals of the floatable debris management plan are:
To eliminate floatables-related beach closures.
• To prevent adverse impacts on commercial and recreational boating from floatable debris.
To prevent adverse impacts on coastal species resulting from floatable debris.
To achieve these goals, HEP decided to address the floatable debris problem with two tracks.
The fast track, which was developed and implemented in 1989, included the following specific
actions to clean up existing debris after it had entered the system:
August 2002 5-3
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Section 5 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
• Surveillance. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), EPA, and
the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) conduct helicopter and aircraft patrols of the harbor to look for
slicks of floating debris. There are also daily vessel patrols of the harbor by EPA and USCG,
weekly patrols of the New York Bight by USCG, and daily overflights of the Bight by
NJDEP.
• Regular Cleanups. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) has an ongoing program to
capture loose timbers and other navigation hazards in the harbor. USAGE cleans up floatable
slicks, using specially designed nets to collect small debris. Cleanups are regularly scheduled
at the Verrazano Narrows and Arthur Kill (locations where garbage slicks tend to form)
during and following new moon and full moon high tides and after storms that cause CSOs.
During the summer bathing season (mid-May to mid-September), cleanups occur daily.
• Nonroutine Cleanups. USAGE attempts to capture additional slicks in the harbor when
conditions are brought to its attention. State coordinators notify local authorities and beach
operators of potential wash-ups.
• Communications Network. EPA coordinates a reporting network and cleanup activities.
EPA, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, NJDEP, New York City
Department of Sanitation, USAGE, and USCG are all on-call 24 hours a day. Hotline
numbers are available for citizens' telephone calls.
The longer-term strategy, which supplements the short-term action plan and reduces the amount
of debris entering the system, consists of the following:
Continue and improve the successful short-term floatables action plan.
• Develop and implement a long-term, source-oriented strategy to reduce the amount of
floatables entering the ecosystem.
• Take action as soon as there are commitments and mechanisms in place for implementation.
Take additional actions, over time, as mechanisms and commitments are developed.
• Expand public education and outreach efforts to foster lifestyle changes that will reduce the
public's contribution to the floatable debris problem.
The following are the objectives and recommendations of the HEP Floatables Plan:
Continue and enhance implementation of the short-term floatables action plan.
• Expand the USAGE Harbor Drift Removal Program without compromising key habitat.
• Implement beach and shoreline cleanups.
• Assess and control landfill and solid waste practices to minimize aerial sources of floatables.
Communicate impacts of marine debris and appropriate disposal practices.
• Reduce floatable loadings from CSOs, storm water discharges, and other nonpoint sources.
Also, pilot projects have been established at marinas in New York and New Jersey to encourage
proper handling and recycling of marine debris. This campaign, a model to be replicated at
marinas throughout the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary, discourages tossing trash
54 August 2002
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 5
overboard, encourages recycling and waste minimization, educates boaters about the problems of
marine pollution, fosters appreciation of local marine areas, and creates an awareness of the
Harbor and Long Island Sound Estuary Programs (USEPA, 1998b).
For more information about the New York-New Jersey HEP, refer to www.harborestuary.org.
The CCMP is available at www.harborestuary.org/mgmt.htm. Information about the successes
and future challenges of the program is available from Successes and Challenges: Highlights of
Program Accomplishments and Challenges for the Future, which is available at
www.hudsonriver.org/hep/pdf/sc.pdf. A list of HEP contacts is available from
www. harbor estuary, org/contacts. htm.
5.5.2 Long Island Sound Study
The Long Island Sound Study (LISS) is a cooperative effort involving researchers, regulators,
user groups, and other concerned organizations and individuals. This partnership is designed to
protect and improve the health of the sound by implementing the 1994 CCMP for the sound
(LISS, 2001). The floatable debris part of the plan seeks to reduce the flow of litter from its
major sources, and to collect and pick up litter once it is in the sound. Source control is the most
effective strategy to combat littering and improper disposal. To reduce the flow of floatable
debris into the sound, management actions center on the following (LISS, 1994):
• Combined sewer overflow abatement and storm water management. New York City has
begun to implement a CSO abatement program for controlling the discharge of pathogens.
Connecticut will implement its long-term CSO abatement program to manage sewer areas
affecting Long Island Sound. New York and Connecticut are implementing statewide storm
water permit programs to manage storm water from industrial and construction activities.
Both states are also using their nonpoint source programs to control pathogen discharges to
the sound. Each of these programs will also substantially reduce the amount of floatable
debris entering the sound.
• Education. The New York Sea Grant Extension Program, Connecticut Sea Grant Marine
Advisory Program, and LISS have organized volunteers from civic associations, schools, and
environmental and youth groups to paint messages on storm drains, such as "Don't Dump-
Drains to Long Island Sound." Another program, "Clean Streets/Clean Beaches" is an anti-
litter program launched in April 1992 by a coalition of public and private groups in New
Jersey and New York. The goal of this program is to make people aware that street debris
can ultimately be found on beaches and that they should not litter.
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Section 5 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
According to the 1998 CCMP Tracking Survey, 2,685 New York volunteers collected more than
35,846 pounds of trash from the shoreline along the sound during 1998. In Connecticut,
approximately 750 volunteers removed more than 7,000 pounds of trash from 20 miles of shore.
Additionally, between 1991 and 1998 more than 18,650 storm drains have been stenciled with
the "Don't Dump—Drains to Long Island Sound" message and more than 3,330 drains in New
York have been stenciled with a bilingual (Spanish/English) "Clean Streets = Clean Beaches"
slogan (LISS, 1998).
More information about LISS is available at www.epa.gov/region01/eco/lis. The CCMP is
available at www.epa.gov/region01/eco/lis/plan.html. For more general information, contact the
U.S. EPA Long Island Sound Office, Stamford, Government Center, 888 Washington Avenue,
Stamford, CT 06904-2152, (203) 977-1541 or the Marine Sciences Research Center, SUNY
Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000, (516) 632-7666. A more detailed list of contacts is
available at www.epa.gov/region01/eco/lis/contacts.html.
5.5.3 San Juan Bay Estuary
The San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE) system was nominated for the National Estuary Program on
April 16, 1992. It is the only NEP located in a tropical geographic region and outside the
mainland United States. The goals of the SJBE Program are to (SJBE Program, 2000):
• Establish a comprehensive water quality policy. This policy will ensure the integrity of
marine resources and terrestrial ecosystems while supporting human activities in the system.
• Develop an effective administrative and regulatory framework for the SJBE system that will
serve as a model for other estuary systems, especially for tropical systems.
• Optimize the social, economic, and recreational benefits associated with the SJBE system.
• Prevent further degradation and improve the system's water quality to help ensure healthy
terrestrial and aquatic communities and social well-being.
• Minimize the health risks associated with direct human contact with the surface waters and
the consumption offish and shellfish.
The objectives of the SJBE Program are to:
• Identify the major stressors impacting the system and establish their relative importance.
• Develop action plans to remediate problems identified in the system.
• Conserve and enhance the integrity of the known, highly valuable natural resources in the
system, and restore, to the extent possible, areas that have been adversely affected.
• Address the major concerns of citizens and user groups regarding the quality of the system.
• Promote the public's awareness regarding estuarine resources and involvement in the
development of an effective management plan for the system.
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Section 5
• Develop a hydrological model of the system to determine effective alternatives to improve
circulation and predict the hydrological impacts of future development.
To prioritize issues of concern and to develop proposed solutions to improve the health of the
estuary, the SJBE Program developed four Action Plans. The goal of the Aquatic Debris Action
Plan is to improve habitat quality and enhance the aesthetic, recreational, and economic values of
the SJBE by ensuring that the watershed is free of aquatic debris. The first objective of the plan
is to significantly reduce the amount of aquatic debris that reaches all estuarine waters. This is to
be accomplished by the following actions:
• Develop and implement community-based solid waste management and recycling programs
in coordination with municipalities.
• Continue to implement the Action Plan Demonstration Project developed in Pifiones, Loiza.
• Continue the annual aquatic debris cleanup event held in Islote de la Guachinanga.
Conduct periodic aquatic debris cleanup activities at suggested SJBE locations.
The second objective of the plan is to develop, promote, and implement voluntary compliance
and pollution prevention initiatives. This can be accomplished by establishing Solid Waste
Pollution Prevention Pilot Programs at different SJBE locations. The third objective of the plan
is to strengthen the enforcement of littering laws and regulations by:
• Implementing measures to detect, correct, and control illegal dumping activities and
enforcing Puerto Rico's Anti-Littering Law (Law No. 11 of 1995).
• Enforcing the Law for the Management of Used Tires (Law No. 171) and other regulatory
measures related to the illegal dumping of used tires within the estuary system and its
drainage basin.
More information is available from the San Juan Bay Estuary Program Office, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers Building, 400 Fernandez Juncos Avenue, Second Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico,
00901-3299, (787) 725-8162. Edna Villanueva, the Technical Director, may be contacted at
edna.villanueva@usace.army.mil.
5.5.4 Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project
The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project (SMBRP) is a group of environmentalists, scientists,
government representatives, business people, and members of the public. It was formed in 1988
to develop a restoration plan for the bay. The mission of SMBRP, one of the first NEPs, is to
create a comprehensive plan to ensure the long-term health of Santa Monica Bay, which is
adjacent to the heavily urbanized, second-most-populous region in the United States. Among a
variety of projects and programs addressing various issues related to the bay, SMBRP has
educated beachgoers about marine debris and provided stations for depositing and recycling
trash. SMBRP also has acted as the Los Angeles County coordinator for Coastal Cleanup Day,
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Section 5 Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
tripling the number of cleanup volunteers. The Project encourages using management practices
such as handling, storing, and disposing of materials and wastes properly to prevent them from
entering storm drains (SMBRP, no date). More information is available at www.smbay.org or
from the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project, 320 West Fourth Street, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles,
CA 90013, (213)576-6615.
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris References
References and Additional Resources
References
Battelle Ocean Sciences. 1993. Pilot Study to Characterize Floatable Debris Discharged from
Combined Sewer Overflows and Stormwater Discharges September 1989 Through May
1990. Final data report submitted to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by Battelle
Ocean Sciences, Duxbury, MA.
Caribbean Islands Directorate. 1989. Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution in the Wider
Caribbean Region. U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program, Puerto Rico Workshop, San
Juan, Puerto Rico, August 7-9, 1989.
Chess, C., and G. Gibson. 2000. The Navesink Water shed Management Effort. Center for
Environmental Communication, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Accessed July 2001.
CMC. 1998. Million Points of Blight. Center for Marine Conservation, Washington, DC.
. Accessed July 2001.
CMC. 2000. 1999 International Coastal Cleanup. Center for Marine Conservation,
Washington, DC.
Dooley, E.G. 2001, December 11. Whale's tale a costly lesson. Cape Cod Times.
.
Accessed June 2002.
Ecorisk. 2002. Ecorisk Fundamentals: 2.2. Bioconcentration, Bioaccumulation and
Biomagnification. .
Accessed June 2002.
ENN. 1999. Northern Right Whale on Path to Extinction. Environmental News Network.
. Accessed
June 2002.
Ferdinand, P. 2002, June 17. Near Cape Cod, Whales Get Right of Way. The Washington Post.
Gaugler, L. 1999. Floatables Action Plan Assessment Report. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 2.
August 2002 References-1
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References Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
HEP. 1996. Final Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. New York-New Jersey
Harbor Estuary Program, including the Bight Restoration Plan, . Accessed July 2001.
LISS. 1994. Long Island Sound Study Management Plan. Long Island Sound Study.
. Accessed July 2001.
LISS. 1998. The Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan: 1998 Tracking Report.
Long Island Sound Study, .
Accessed July 2001.
LISS. 2001. Long Island Sound Study Online. Long Island Sound Study, . Accessed July 2001.
NAS. 1975. Marine litter. In Assessing Potential Ocean Pollutants. A report of the study panel
on assessing potential ocean pollutants to the Ocean Affairs Board, Commission on
Natural Resources, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences,
Washington, DC.
Ribic, C.A., T.R. Dixon, and I. Vining. 1992. Marine Debris Survey Manual. NOAA Technical
Report NMFS 108. U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA.
Scro, R., and W.J. Eisele. 1993. Navesink River Water Monitoring Project. Accessed July
2001.
SJBE Program. 2000. Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the San Juan
Bay Estuary. San Juan Bay Estuary Program, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
SMBRP. No date. Santa Monica Bay Home Page. About the Santa Monica Bay Restoration
Project, . Accessed July 2001.
USEPA. 1987. Technical Support Document for ODES Statistical Power Analysis.
EPA 430/09-87-005. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Marine
and Estuarine Protection, Washington, DC.
USEPA. 1989. Environmental Backgrounder: Medical Waste. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Office of Public Affairs, Washington, DC.
USEPA. 1990. Methods to Manage and Control Plastic Wastes. EPA 530-SW-89-051. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response and
Office of Water, Washington, DC.
References-2 August 2002
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris References
USEPA. 1992a. Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations,
Final Report. EPA-842-B-92-010. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Water, Washington, DC.
USEPA. 1992b. Turning the Tide on Trash: A Learning Guide on Marine Debris. EPA 842-B-
92-003. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.
. Accessed April 2002.
USEPA. 1993 a. Chapter 16 of Volunteer Estuary Monitoring: A Methods Manual. EPA 842-B-
93-004. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.
. Accessed July 2001.
USEPA. 1993b. Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations, A
Summary. EPA 842-S-93-001. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water,
Washington, DC.
USEPA. 1995. Notes from the States, Tribes, and Localities, Where the Action Is. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. Nonpoint Source News Notes. No. 40, March/April
1995. . Accessed July
2001.
USEPA. 1998a. Coastal Watersheds. EPA 842-F-98-006. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.
. Accessed April 2002.
USEPA. 1998b. National Estuary Program: 1995 Project Summaries. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Washington, DC. .
Accessed July 2001.
USEPA. 2001a. National Estuary Program: Bringing Our Estuaries New Life. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.
USEPA. 200 Ib. National Management Measures Guidance to Control Nonpoint Source
Pollution from Marinas and Recreational Boating. EPA 841-B-01-005. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.
August 2002 References-3
-------
References Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Additional Resources
Clean Ocean Action. 1999. 1999 Clean Ocean Action's Beach Sweeps Results. Clean Ocean
Action, Highlands, New Jersey. Information about the organization is available at
www. CleanOceanAction. ORG.
Citizens Advisory Committee and the Science and Technical Advisory Committee. 2001.
Successes and Challenges: Highlights of Program Accomplishments and Challenges for
the Future. New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program.
. Accessed July 2001.
CMC. No date. The International Coastal Cleanup: How a Good Idea Grew. Center for
Marine Conservation, Washington, DC.
CMC. 1993. All About Beach Cleanups: A Helpful Planning Guide. Center for Marine
Conservation, Washington, DC.
Collier County. 2001. Amendment Cycle 1, 2001 Draft: June 8, 2001. Collier County, Florida.
Accessed July 2001.
Paris, J., and K. Hart. No date. Sea of Debris: A Summary of the Third International Conference
on Marine Debris. North Carolina Sea Grant College Program. Copies are available
from Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA/NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Seattle,
WA 98115-0070.
FWS. 2000. Recovery Plan: Recovery Tasks. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
. Accessed July 2001.
Gulf of Mexico Program. 1995. Phase I: Gulf of Mexico Program Action Projects Summary,
1988-1995. Draft. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf of Mexico Program,
Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.
NJDEP. 1999. Performance Report. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
. Accessed July 2001.
NOAA. 2001. Endangered Species: Leatherback Sea Turtle. National Marine Fisheries
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
. Accessed July 2001.
O'Hara, K.J., S. ludicello, and R. Bierce. 1988. A Citizens Guide to Plastics in the Ocean: More
Than a Litter Problem. Center for Environmental Education, Washington, DC.
References-4 August 2002
-------
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris References
Olin, S. 2001. Geologist issues advisory paper on Pemaquid beach. The Lincoln County News
26(20). Accessed July 23, 2001.
Palm Beach County. 2000. Guidelines for Proper Beach and Dune Management. Palm Beach
County, Department of Environmental Resources Management. . Accessed July 2001.
Project Pacific. 2001. California Grunion. . Accessed
July 2001.
Redford, D., M. Billy, and A. Tom. 1992. The United States Environmental Protection
Agency's Role in Controlling Aquatic Debris. Chemistry and Ecology 6:189-197.
USEPA. 1989. Managing and Tracking Medical Wastes: A Guide to the Federal Program for
Treatment, Destruction, and Disposal Facilities. EPA 530-SW-89-023. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response,
Washington, DC.
USEPA. 1994. Status of Efforts to Control Aquatic Debris. EPA 842-K-94-002. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.
August 2002 References-5
-------
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Glossary
Glossary
Coastal recreation waters
Coastal watershed
Floatable debris
Marine debris (litter)
[As defined in the Clean Water Act, as amended by the BEACH
Act], the Great Lakes and marine coastal waters (including coastal
estuaries) that are designated under section 303(c) of the Clean
Water Act by a state for use for swimming, bathing, surfing, or
similar water contact activities. Coastal recreation waters do not
include either inland waters or waters upstream of the mouth of a
river or stream having an unimpaired natural connection with the
open sea.
A geographic area that starts at the headwaters of the streams and
rivers that ultimately drain to the coastal areas. Headwaters often
include wetlands, which are typically adjacent to rivers or streams.
Upon reaching coastal areas, rivers empty into estuaries.
Nearshore waters (the areas directly offshore from the beach),
offshore coral reefs (in tropical areas), and other offshore areas are
also part of the coastal watershed (USEPA, 1998a).
Waterborne waste material that is buoyant. Examples include
wood, beach litter, street litter, sewage-related wastes, fishing gear,
and medical wastes (Gaugler, 1999).
Solid materials of human origin that are discarded at sea or reach
the sea through waterways or domestic and industrial outfalls
(NAS, 1975).
August 2002
Glossary-1
-------
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Acronyms
Acronyms
BEACH Act
CCMP
CMC
CWA
CSO
EPA
HEP
ICCC
LISS
MARPOL Convention
MPPRCA
MPRSA
NEP
NJDEP
NMDMP
NMFS
NOAA
NPDES
NYSDEC
POTW
SJBE
SMBRP
SPA
SPI
SWD
TMDL
USACE
U.S.C.
USCG
WPCP
Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan
Center for Marine Conservation
Clean Water Act
combined sewer overflow
Environmental Protection Agency
Harbor Estuary Program
International Coastal Cleanup Campaign
Long Island Sound Study
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships
Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
National Estuary Program
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
National Marine Debris Monitoring Program
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
publicly owned treatment works
San Juan Bay Estuary
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project
Shore Protection Act
Society of the Plastics Industries, Inc.
storm water discharge
Total Maximum Daily Load
United. States. Army Corps of Engineers
United States Code
United States Coast Guard
water pollution control plant
August 2002
Acronyms-1
-------
Appendix A:
International Coastal
Cleanup
-------
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Appendix A
INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP™ DATA CARD
Data collected during the International Coastal Cleanup™ is used to educate the public and develop solutions to solid
waste management practices. Through cooperative efforts among gc
associations, environmental organizations and local citizens, change:
conserve and protect the environment. The annual cleanup is howw
Thank you for being a very important part of this process.
Type of Cleanup: Q| Shoreline/Beach Q| Underwater Country Where Cleanup Was Conducted:
Zone or County Cleaned:
Today's Date: Month Day Year
Number of People Working on This Card:
Number of Trash Baas Filled:
Beach Sfte Name:
Name of Coordinat
Distance Cleaned:.
Total Estimated We
NAMES OF PARTICIPANTS IN YOUR GROUP
If you are interested in learning more about The Ocean Conservancy's efforts to protect our oceans and waterways and if you would like
to receive Action Alerts on critical marine conservation issues from The Ocean Conservancy's free Oce
checkthe box below with your name and address.
1. Name:
Address:
City:
Country:
Phone: ( )
Email:
I would like information on:
2. Name:
Address:
City:
Country:
Phone: ( )
Email:
Aae:
State:
Zip Code:
QThe Ocean Conservancy Qj The OAN
Aae:
State:
Zip Code:
I would like information on: QThe Ocean Conservancy Qj The OAN
3. Name:
Address:
City:
Country:
Phone: ( !
State:
Zip Code:
Aae:
Email:
I would like information on:
4. Name:
Address:
C'rty:
Country:
Phone: ( )
QjThe Ocean Conservancy
State:
Zip Code:
Q The OAN
Age:
Email:
I would like information on: QThe Ocean Conservancy Q The OAN
ENTANGLED ANIMALS: (Q Dead or Q Alive). Type of Animal(s) and What Entangled the Animal:.
WHAT WAS THE MOST PECULIAR ITEM YOU COLLECTED?_
The following national and international organizations
endorse and/or support the International Coastal Cleanup:
» U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
* lUCN-TheWorld Conservation Union
«• Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the
United Nations' Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO)
Please return this card to your area coordinator or mail it to:
The Ocean Conservancy
Pollution Prevention and Monitoring Office
1432 N. Great Neck Road, Suite 103
Virginia Beach, VA 23454 USA
Phone (757) 496-0920 The OC63 H
Fax(757,496-3207 Conservancy
© 2001 The Ocean Conservancy Formerly the Center for Marine Conservation
Figure A-l. International Coastal Cleanup Data Card (front)
August 2002
A-l
-------
Appendix A
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
ITEMS COLLECTED
The debris forms listed on this data card should be considered as in<
activities) and impacts in the marine/aquatic environment (animal en
human health and safety, vessel disablement, and economics and at
Volunteers should clean up all debris found
record information on the items listed belo\
Keep a count of your items using tick marks and enter the item 1
Example: [g] 4 Bags/Food Wrappers tH-l 111
SHORELINE AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES " "• - • -
(Debris from beach-goers, sports/games, festivals, litter from streets/storm
^3 4 Bags/Food Wrappers
] 4 Balloons
14 Beverage Bottles (plastic) 2 liters or less_
c
c
I 14 Clothing, Cloth_
4 Beverage Bottles (glass)_
4 Beverage Cans
4Caps,L'ds_
LJ 4 Cups, Plates, Forks, Knives, Spoons_
\_ 4 Diapers,
D
4 Fast-food Containers_
4 6-Pack Holders
O 4 Pull Tabs,
L~H 4 Shotgun Shells/Wadding_
I 14 Straws, Stirrers
OCEAN/WATERWAY ACTIVITIES .....-...——
(Debris from recreational/commercial fishing and boat/vessel operations)
[ 4BaitContainers/Packaging_
| 4 Bleach/Cleaner Bottles
_J 4 Buoys/Floats
4 Crab/Lobster/Fish Traps.
4 Crates
4 Fishing Line
4 Fishing Lures
Q 4 Fishing Nets
I 14 Light Bulbs/Tubes,
Q 4 Oil/Lube Botties_
Q 4 Pallets,
I 14 Plastic Sheeting/Tarps_
I |4Rope_
I 14 Strapping Bands_
SMOKING-RELATED ACTIVITIES ——
(Debris associated with smoking-related waste)
I 14 Cigarettes/Cigarette Filters
Q] 4 Cigarette L'ghters_
Q 4 Cigar Tips.
I 14Tobacco PackagingA/Vrappers_
MEDICAL/PERSONAL HYGIENE
I 14Syringes
I 14Condoms_
[ 14Tampons/Tampon Applicators.
DUMPING ACTIVITIES —«—™—
I 14 Appliances (refrigerators, washers, etc.),
I 14 Batteries
I 14 Cars/Car Parts,
LJ 4 Construction Materials_
455-Gal. Drums
DEBRIS ITEMS OF LOCAL CONCERN
(Items listed determined by local ICC Coordinator)
© 2001 The Ocean Conservancy
Figure A-2. International Coastal Cleanup Data Card (back)
A-2
August 2002
-------
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Appendix A
United States -"TOP TEN" ITEMS - 2001 International Coastal Cleanup
Table A-l. Land and Underwater Cleanups
Debris Items
1 . cigarettes/cigarette filters
2. bags/food wrappers
3. caps, lids
4. beverage bottles (glass)
5. beverage cans
6. cups, plates, forks, knives, spoons
7. beverage bottles (plastic) 2 liters or less
8. straws, stirrers
9. fast-food containers
1 0. cigar tips
Top Ten Totals
Total
Number
1,286,116
443,259
306,428
205,772
202,983
196,018
189,591
151,660
73,477
57,792
3,055,304
Percent
34.51 %
11.89%
8.22%
5.52%
5.45%
5.26%
5.09%
4.07%
1.97%
1.55%
81.98 %
Table A-2. Land Cleanups
Debris Items
1 . cigarettes/cigarette filters
2. bags/food wrappers
3. caps, lids
4. beverage bottles (glass)
5. beverage cans
6. cups, plates, forks, knives, spoons
7. beverage bottles (plastic) 2 liters or less
8. straws, stirrers
9. fast-food containers
10. cigar tips
Top Ten Totals
Total
Number
1,283,170
440,407
305,112
201,041
196,852
194,117
188,243
151,340
73,146
57,725
3,033,428
Percent
34.67%
11.9%
8.24%
5.43%
5.32%
5.24%
5.09%
4.09%
1.98%
1.56%
81.96 %
Table A-3. Underwater Cleanups
Debris Items
1 . beverage cans
2. beverage bottles (glass)
3. cigarettes/cigarette filters
4. bags/food wrappers
5. cups, plates, forks, knives, spoons
6. beverage bottles (plastic) 2 liters or less
7. caps, lids
8. clothing, cloth
9. fishing lures
10. fishing line
Top Ten Totals
Total
Number
6,131
4,731
2,946
2,852
1,901
1,348
1,316
522
449
368
22,196
Percent
23.84%
18.39%
11.45%
11.09%
7.39%
5.24%
5.12%
2.03%
1.75%
1.43%
86.3 %
August 2002
A-3
-------
Appendix A
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
2001 International Coastal Cleanup
United States
Marine Debris Sources and Activities
Smoking-
Related
Activities
12.52%
Dumping
Activities
2.53%
Ocean/
Waterway
Activities
6.82%
Medical/
Personal
Hygiene
0.14%
Shoreline
And
Recreational
Activities
77.99%
Debris Collected from Underwater Cleanups
Figure A-3. Debris Collected from Underwater Cleanups
2001 International Coastal Cleanup
United States
Marine Debris Activities and Sources
Dumping
Activities
1.98%
Smoking-
Related
Activities
38.17%
Ocean/
Waterway
Activities
6.40%
Medical/
Personal
Hygiene
0.54%
Shoreline
And
Recreational
Activities
52.91%
Debris Collected from Land Cleanups
Figure A-4. Debris Collected from Land Cleanups
A-4
; August 2002
-------
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Appendix A
2001 International Coastal Cleanup
United States
Marine Debris Sources and Activities
Dumping
Activities
1.98%
Smoking-
Related
Activities
37.98%
Ocean/
Waterway
Activities
6.42%
Debris Collected from Land and Underwater Cleanups
Medical/
Personal
Hygiene
0.54%
Shoreline
And
Recreational
Activities
53.08%
Figure A-5. Debris Collected from Land and Underwater Cleanups
August 2002
A-5
-------
Appendix A
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Table A-4.2001 International Coastal Cleanup: Total Debris Collected in the United States
Debris Items
1
Land
Underwater
Total
Shoreline j& Recreational Activities • i :; ; ! , . ii I ;• ' -\' Ml ; !- >j
bags /food wrappers
balloons
beverage bottles (plastic) £ 2 liters
beverage bottles (glass)
beverage cans
caps, lids
clothing, cloth
cups, plates, forks, knives, spoons
diapers
fast-food containers
6-pack holders
pull tabs
shotgun shells/wadding
straws, stirrers
toys _______^_^__
440407
46012
188243
201041
196852
305112
50314
194117
7532
73146
14810
38985
17783
151340
32361
2852
165
1348
4731
6131
1316
522
1901
33
331
109
109
41
320
149
i 443259
46177
189591
205772
202983
306428
50836
196018
7565
73477
14919
39094
17824
151660
, 32510
Ocean /Waterway Activities ; , |-; . r jr . , ;j j .;, .j |!; . j' , |; : i
bait containers /packing
bleach / cleaner bottles
buoys / floats
crab/lobster/fish traps
crates
fishing line
fishing lures
fishing nets
light bulbs / tubes
oil/lube bottles
pallets
plastic sheeting / tarps
rope
strapping bands
19646
10789
17401
5415
2625
27460
10144
6226
4966
11509
2188
41117
57386
20313
209
53
56
48
15
368
449
55
14
73
2
151
205
54
19855
i 10342
17457
5463
2640
27H28
10593
6281
4980
11(582
: 2190
41268
57591
20367
Smokinti -iRelated Activities : i ; i in i i i
cigarettes / cigarettes filters
cigarette lighters
cigar tips
tobacco packaging / wrappers
1283170
22753
57725
48681
2946
103
67
105
! 12861 16
22856
57792
48786
Dumping Activities ' ' '••; ' -' ; • I :' i i • ',; 'i I :i!'j -ill il . h
appliances (refrigerator, washers, etc.)
batteries
cars/car parts
construction materials
55 - gallon drums
tires
1217
5195
10091
49300
887
7016
17
46
126
279
3
180
1234
5241
10217
49579
890
7196
Medical /Personal Hygiene ; -' ; , ;[ ; . ! i - i; 'i i ii il !!i il I! i
condoms
syringes
! 7323
2240
16
5
7339
2245
tarn
TOTALS
10261
A-6
August 2002
-------
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Appendix A
Table A-5. 2001 International Coastal Cleanup: Entangled Animals Found in the United States
Debris Category
balloon ribbon/string
fishing line with
hook/lure
crab/lobster traps
fishing nets/rope
plastic sheeting
rope
six-pack holders
wire
miscellaneous
Total
Percent
Amphibians Fish
3
17
3
7
2
2
1
1
1 35
0.99% 34.65%
Mammals Reptiles
1
3
1 2
3 1
4 7
3.96% 6.93%
Birds
1
22
1
1
1
1
3
1
3
34
33.66%
Invertebrates
8
6
1
3
2
20
19.80%
Total
5
50
4
17
2
10
5
4
4
101
Percent
4.95%
49.50%
3.96%
16.83%
1.98%
9.90%
4.95%
3.96%
3.96%
© 2002 The Ocean Conservancy. All Rights Reserved. (Figures A-3 through A-5 and Tables A-l through A-5.)
August 2002 A-7
-------
Appendix B:
National Marine Debris
Monitoring Program
Data Card
-------
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Appendix B
National Marine Debris Monitoring Program
DataCard
Thank you for completing this data card. Please answer the questions and return to
your survey director. This information will be used in The Ocean Conservancy's
National Marine Debris Monitoring Program's data base to determine trends and
sources of specific debris items.
Name .. Affiliation
NMDMP Region Survey Site
Survey Number Today's date:
Air Temperature Wind Direction .__
Wind Speed (1=no wind, 2=slight, 3=moderate, 4=heavy, 5=gale)
Brief Description of Weather' ,
Weather Conditions from previous week:
Time (Beginning of Survey) Time (End of Survey)
Other Remarks . , ...... -
Safety Tips
1. Wear gloves and closed-toed shoes. 4; Watch out for wildlife.
2. Be careful with sharp objects and syringes. 5. Don't lift heavy objects.
3. Stay out of dunes. 6. Do not go near any large drums.
Dead, Live and/or Entangled Animals: Survey Director:
Please return this card to your
survey director or mail it to:
Foreign Labels:
The Ocean Conservancy
1432 N: Great Neck Road, Suite 103
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
The Ocean
© 2001 The Ocean Conservancy V»OnSerVanCY recycled paper
Figure B-l. National Debris Monitoring Program Data Card (front)
August 2002 EM
-------
Appendix B
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Items Collected
You may find it helpful to work with a buddy as you clean the area, one of you pick-
ing up trash and the other taking notes. An easy way to keep track of the items you
find is by making tick marks. The box is for total items; see sample below.
Example:
Ocean-Based
Gloves
PI. sheets > 1 meter.
Light bulbs/tubes
Oil/gas containers (> 1 quart).
Pipe-thread protectors
Nets > 5 meshes
Traps/pots
Rshing line
Light sticks
Rope > 1 meter
Salt bags
Fish baskets
Cruiseline logo items
Floats/Buoys
Land-Based
Syringes_
Condoms.
Metal beverage cans
Motor oil containers (1 quart)
Balloons
Six-pack rings.
Straws
Tampon applicators.
Cotton swabs
General Sources
Plastic bags with seam < 1 meter_
> 1 meter_
Straps Open
Closed
Plastic bottles: beverage
food
bleach/cleaner_
other pi. bottles.
Comments:
Figure B-2. National Debris Monitoring Program Data Card (back)
B-2
August 2002
-------
Appendix C:
Storm Drain Stenciling
Data Cards
-------
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Appendix C
"Storm Drain Sentries" Data Card
Only one data card needs to be filled out for all of the storm drains that you stencil each day.
Contact Information
Primary Contact Person:
Organization:
Name of Stenciling Group (if different from above):
Street Address:
City:
State:
Phone:
Zip:
Fax:
E-mail:
Stenciling Event Information
Date of Stenciling:
City and State of Stenciling:
Number of Participants:
Number of Storm Drains Stenciled:
Comments
Please return completed from to:
The Ocean Conservancy
(form continues on other side)
The Ocean *i2V^
Conservancy
Storm Drain Sentries Program
1432 N. Great Neck Road, Suite 103 4 Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Phone: 757-496-0920 * Fax: 757-496-3207
E-mail: stormdrain@oceanconservancyva.org
Printed on recycled paper
Figure C-l. "Storm Drain Sentry" Data Card (front)
August 2002
C-l
-------
Appendix C
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
"Storm Drain Sentries" Data Card
Make a tick mark for each storm drain associated with a
potential nonpoint pollution source or pollutant; see samples below.
Total
Sample Only
Business/Commercial District THUHl.ll
Grass Clippings WtNOHUI
12
17
Potential Nonpoint Sources
Make a tick mark for each storm drain you stencil Total
that is near a potential source (select only one Storm
source for each storm drain) , Drains
Business/Commercial District
Residential Area
Service Station
Shopping Center
School or Church
Marina/Boat Ramp
Park/Other Recreational Area
Farm
Other (describe)
Additional Observations/Comments
Nonpoint Source Pollutants
Make a tick mark for each storm drain that has any
of the following pollutants within 6 feet of the drain Total
fa single storm drain may be recorded more than ' storm
once if multiple pollutants are found near it). ' Drains
Sediment
Automotive Fluids
(oil, antifreeze, etc.)
Household Hazardous Wastes
(paint, etcj
Pet Wastes
Yard Wastes
(grass clippings, leaves, etc.)
Street Litter:
cigarette butts
beverage bottles
beverage cans
beverage cups
caps/lids
straws
plastic wrappers
plastic bags
paper bags
fast food containers
six-pack holders
plastic pieces
newspaper/magazines or pieces
clothing/pieces
other litter (describe)
Other Pollutants (describe)
i
i
i
i
I
i
|
(form continues on other side)
Figure C-2. "Storm Drain Sentry" Data Card (back)
C-2
August 2002
-------
Appendix D:
Surveys from the Marine
Debris Survey Manual
-------
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Appendix D
BEACH CLEANUP DATA CARD
Thank you for completing this data card. Answer the questions and return to your area coordinator or to the address at the
bottom of this card. This information will be used in the Center for Marine Conservation's National Marine Debris Data Base
and Report to help develop solutions to stopping marine debris.
Name _
Address
City
.Affiliation
.Occupation
.Phone(
.State.
-Zip.
-M.
Today's Date: Month:.
.Day.
_Year.
Location of beach cleaned
How did you hear about the cleanup?
. Name of Coordinator
Nearest city
SAFETY TIPS
1. Do not go near any large drums.
2. Be careful with sharp objects.
3. Wear gloves.
4. Stay out of the dune areas.
5. Watch out for snakes.
6. Don't lift anything too heavy.
WE WANT YOU TO BE SAFE
Number of people working together on Ms data cad
_ Estimated tiaanoe of beach deaned
.Number of bags fi
SOURCES OF DffiRIS. Please list all items with foreign labefe (such as plastic bleach bottles from Mexk33) or other maiWngs that indicate the item's
origjn (such as cruise fine names, military identification or debris with names and/or address of shipping/freighting or fishing companies, or oil/gas
exploration activities).
SOURCE
"""*" ASC- S*iif»piiJq Gampaui)
ITEM FOUND
plash's. •sAcafpiitf ban A.
STRANDED AND/OR ENTANGLED ANIMALS (Please describe type of animal and type of entangling debris. Be as specific as you can.)
What was the most peculiar item you coBected?
Comments
Thank you!
PLEASE RETURN THIS CARD TO
YOUR AREA COORDINATOR
OR MAIL IT TO:
Center for Marine Conservation
1725 DeSates Street. NW
Washington. DC 20036
A Membership Organization
svEPA
Center for
Marine
Conservation
Formerly Center for Environmental Education, Est 1972
Environmental Protection
Agency
} Printed on recycled paper.
Figure D-l. Beach Cleanup Data Card (front)
August 2002
D-l
-------
Appendix D
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
ITEMS COLLECTED
VDU may find it helpful to worit with a buddy as you clean the beach, one of you pkftng up trash and the other taWng notes. An easy way
to teep track of the items you find is by making tick marks. The box is for total items: see sample below.
Ewefe TOTftl. TOTAL
PLASTIC
ais
D3gK _____ fishing nets
fix*
3SS
1 1
1
botfez mp-
Nfxn. r^fvw ... , .... — longa
than? (w* IZI". 1
ottyrtYXtto „ ..... stopping bands
rap^ _-ft ,.. . .., _ — L. syringes
fishing few. „ ._ nthrr plastic
fi^^ighin^fVVrrt ....
idK
(<^vrily)
STYROFOAM®
{or other piastfc (bam)
h.*^* 1 il pjvtaar^ m#f«ty L . ]
nv>arrr»y^ i
FOtD ALONG TWfS UNE
GLASS
bottJes/fars: fluorescent
^V^«^Th«rt«f ... ... 1 i Bghrhiilh*
other bottte/jars _ 1 1 otherglass
RUBBER
tv^byv^ 1 1 rin«;
rrtnrtnmc . ,.. 1 olhw nihhp
glows _.,. _
METAL
btttfc- cap* l~ 1 "?S £rllon rt
awxnl 1 1 rvw
ottw ,. , - uuln"
rrahflkhrrap* oitwr mwa
foWrr.hPQ 1 I
specify)
r- 1
•r (^pfrily)
i — i :
i
i
tvyi
PAPER
twg5 L.. 1 rvwpapprs/mawiTinM f |
i i
o^ otfw rwpw (^jwilyl
WOOD
peave driftwood on the beach)
Bl 1
pateM 1 ,,.|
CLOTH
dotnir^/piea*
!
1 1 i
Remember to turn the card over and fin out your name and address and to record sources and entangled wildlife!
Figure D-2. Beach Cleanup Data Card (back)
D-2
August 2002
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Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris Appendix D
RECORD OF SHIPBOARD OBSERVATIONS OF DEREUCT FISH NETS
AND DISABLEMENT OF VESSEL13 BY MARINE UTTER
This form should be included in your ship's Marine Mamal Report which
is forwarded to: Platforms of Opportunity Program, MM., 7600 Sand Pt.
Hay H.E.. Bldg. 4 Seattle, HA 98115 (F/NWC3)
DERELICT NET OBSERVATION:
NAME OF VESSEL - •
LOCATION OF NET (LORAN or coordinates)
DATE_
REPORTER (name, address, phone)
DESCRIPTION OF MET:
Stretch-mesh size
Material (aonofil nylon, polyprop, etc.)
Color
Twine diameter .
Attached floats (number, description) _.
Estimated size (length, volume, etc.)
Number and tyne of marine mammals, birds, fish in net
If possible, take photographs and forward small representative.sample of
net and floats to above address.
VESSEL DISABLEMENT;
NAME OF VESSEL
LOCATION OF DISABLEMENT (LORAN or coordinates)
DATE
CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CAUSE OF DISABLEMENT:
Ilet Rope Sheet plastic Other
DESCRIPTION OF DEBRIS:
Material (nonofil nylon, polyprop. etc.)
Color ._
Size (length, volume, wt., etc.)
Twine diameter
Floats attached (number, description)
Stretch-mesh size
Corrective Action (tow to port, cleared without assistance, divers)
ADD ANY ADDITIONAL REMARK ON REVERSE OF THIS FORM.
(NMML-will forward this form to NMFS' Auke Bav Laboratory)
Figure D-3. Record of Shipboard Observations of Derelict Fish Nets and Disablement of
Vessels by Marine Litter (front)
August 2002 1X3
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Appendix D
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
MARINE MAMMAL SIGHTING FORM
* DO NOT FILL IN BOXES PRECEDED BY AN ASTERISK
1. NAME
VESSEL
RECORD ID *[
YR , MO , DAY
123456
2. DATE (Yr./Mo./Day) & TIME (local) OF SIGHTING
3. LATITUDE (degrees/minutes/10ths)-IM/S
4. LONGITUDE (degrees/minutes/10ths)-E/W
5. SPECIES
7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 .16
18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29
Common name
6. NUMBER SIGHTED
Scientific name
| | | TENTATIVE »[[
33 34 ,35
c...
36
37 38 39 40
7. BEHAVIOR .
45 46
8. ANGLE FROM BOW | | | 9. INITIAL SIGHTING DISTANCE
(10's of degrees) 47 43
10's of meters
10.VISIBILITY.
13. WEATHER .
11. SEA STATE (Beaufort)
15. PLATFORM CODE *
56 57 58 59
49 50 51
12. VIS CODE jj^j
52
14. SEA SURFACE TEMP (° C) ± V~\ II I
53 54 55
16.TIMEZONE ± [ | | | [
60 61 62
17. How did you identify animal(s)? Sketch and describe animal; associated organisms;
behavior (include closest approach); comments.
64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
Figure D-4. Record of Shipboard Observations of Derelict Fish Nets and Disablement of
Vessels by Marine Litter (back) '
D-4
August 2002
-------
Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Appendix D
Observer Name(s) Starting location - lat/long
Vessel Name Ending location - lat/long
Date (Yr/Mo/Dav) Time: Start transect
Sea state (Beaufort) Time: End transect
Visibility Ship's speed at start of transect
Weather Wind: Speed
Direction
Time
Classification
(plastic, wood, etc.)
Object
Perpendicular
Distance (m)
Size
Comments
Figure D-5. Suggested Data Form for Open-Water Mega-Debris Sightings
August 2002
D-5
-------
Appendix D Assessing and Monitoring Floatable Debris
Observers: Date (Yr/Month/Day):
Ship: Sea State or Tide:
Tow/Sample No.
Starting Location: lat Ending Location: lat
long long
Time: Start End Total
Time Not Sampling Time Sampling
Ship's Speed at Start of Tow:
Width of Sampler ;
Comments: e.g., (a) unusual weather conditions, (b) problems encountered while sampling.
Figure D-6. Suggested Data Form for Collecting Surface Samples of Small Debris
D-6 i August 2002
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Office of Water
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
Oceans and Coastal Protection (4504T)
EPA-842-B-02-002
http ://www.epa.gov/ow/owow/
August 2002
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