The New York Bight
Floatables Action Plan
Assessment Report
2009
k»
o
United States Env
Division of Environmental Science and Assessment
2890 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08837
http://www.epa.gov/region2/monitor/nybight/index.htm
EPA-902/R10-001
May 2010
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The New York Bight
Floatables Action Plan
Assessment Report
2009
Prepared By:
Helen Grebe, Regional Coastal Monitoring Coordinator
Monitoring Operations Section
Approved By:
John S. Kushwara, Chief
Monitoring and Assessment Branch
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
Division of Environmental Science and Assessment
2890 Woodbridge Avenue
Edison, New Jersey 08837
May 2010
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The New York Bight Floatables Action Plan Assessment
Report 2009
Abstract
The Floatables Action Plan, developed in 1989 and most recently amended in 2008, addresses floatable debris in the
New York Bight, which includes the New York/New Jersey Harbor Complex and the shorelines of Long Island and New
Jersey. The plan was developed jointly by an interagency workgroup that included representatives from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the New York City Department of Sanitation, and the
Interstate Environmental Commission. The Floatables Action Plan has been carried out each year since to control wash ups
of floatable debris on area beaches. The plan consists of aerial surveillance via helicopter and fixed winged plane; a
communications network to report "slick" sightings and to coordinate cleanup response; and routine cleanups conducted by
skimmer vessels in the harbor area. Since its inception, the plan has significantly reduced the amount of floating debris
escaping the Harbor Complex and has expanded to include volunteer collection programs, boom and skim programs,
combined sewer overflow collection programs and beach clean up programs. To date, approximately 392 million pounds
of debris have been removed from the New York Bight area.
This report summarizes the 2009 efforts of the interagency partners in implementing the Floatables Action Plan and
accomplishing the following objectives:
^ Elimination of the amount of floatable debris escaping the New York/New Jersey Harbor Complex.
^ Maintaining an effective communication network to coordinate floatable debris removal activities and to
respond to the spotting of slicks.
> Elimination of the adverse impact of floatable debris on the marine environment.
> Ensuring timely notification of beach operators concerning potential wash-ups of floatable debris.
> Elimination of beach closures due to floatable debris.
New York City, southern Long Island beaches, and New Jersey beaches experienced no beach closings due to floatable
debris in 2009. The interagency implementation of the Floatables Action Plan was a major contributor to maintaining this
improved beach status.
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Introduction
Floatable debris consists of a wide assortment of plastic, wood, paper, glass, rubber, metal and organic waste
materials that float or are suspended in the water column and may eventually be deposited on shorelines and
beaches. Floatable debris originating from street litter, combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges, storm water
discharges, decaying shoreline structures, pleasure boaters, and littering beach goers, can harm the marine
environment and cause area beaches to close.
During the summers of 1987 and 1988 the impacts of the floatable debris in the New York and New Jersey
water bodies were alarming. Several beaches were forced to close down for extended periods of time due to
debris washing up on the shores. The State University of New York Waste Management Institute estimated an
economic loss of between $900 million and $4 billion in New Jersey and between $950 million and $2 billion in
New York. In response, the Floatables Action Plan was developed to establish clean-up measures for the New
York/New Jersey (NY/NJ) Harbor Complex and consequently, the surrounding beaches.
The Floatables Action Plan was developed jointly by an interagency work group comprised of the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York City Department of Environmental
Protection (NYCDEP), New York City Department of Sanitation (NYCDOS), and the Interstate Environmental
Commission (IEC).
The Floatables Action Plan is part of EPA's response to its mandated responsibilities as defined under the Marine
Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1 987. Subtitle C of the act mandates that the EPA, in consultation
with NOAA and other Federal agencies, prepare a New York Bight Restoration Plan. As part of the Restoration
Plan, the Floatables Action Plan was designed to focus on locating and cleaning up floatable debris in the
NY/NJ Harbor Complex and surrounding areas. Specific objectives include: improve water quality, protect the
marine environment, and prevent the occurrence of beach closures due to floatable debris. This plan was
amended in 2008 to include increased surveillance coverage, increased communication with the Passaic Valley
Sewerage Commission, and increased cross communication among agencies. The plan can be found at:
http://www.epa.qov/reqion02/water/action plan/index.html.
Through interagency cooperation, partnership building, and effective communication, the objectives stated in the
Floatables Action Plan have been achieved. This report is an historical account of various activities to control
floatable debris since the initiation of the Floatables Action Pan. This report is not all inclusive and only accounts
for major activities surrounding floatable removal. Table 1 summarizes the amount of debris collected in 2009
and the total amounts collected since the initiation of the program.
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. ^
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Table 1. Summary Table of FI eatables Collection Programs
Floatables Collection
Program
Floatables Collected in 2009
Total Floatables Collected
USACE Drift Collection
Vessels Program
9,194,000 Ibs
230,624,000 Ibs
1988-2009, 22 years
Ocean Conservancy's
International Coastal Clean-
up (8 counties in NY)
80,457 Ibs
2,1 89,287 Ibs
1994-2009, 16 years
NYCDEP Cormorant Open
Water Skimmer Vessel
Collection Program
0 Ibs
6,891,940 Ibs
1 994 - 2009, 16 years
NYCDEP Boom and Skim
Collection Program
851,800 Ibs
1 0,769,600 Ibs
1995-2009, 15 years
New Rochelle, NY Boom
Collection Program
0 Ibs
1 08,952 Ibs
1998-2009, 12 years
NJDEP Clean Shores Program
3,794,000 Ibs
1 26,704,000 Ibs
1989-2009,21 years
NJDEP's Adopt-A-Beach
Collection Program
53,71 8 items
1,069,013 items
1993-2009, 17 years
PVSC Skimmer Vessel
Collection Program
172,000 Ibs
2,896,700 Ibs
2000-2009, 10 years
PVSC Passaic River/Newark
Bay
Shoreline Restoration
Program
800,000 Ibs
12,071,540 Ibs
1998-2009, 12 years
TOTAL*
14,892,257 Ibs*
392,256,019 Ibs*
Notes:
* Total excludes amount of items collected in Adopt-A-Beach Collection Program.
All values are approximate. For comparison reasons, some values are based on a conversion factor of 100 cubic
feet per 2000 pounds. Historical values as reported by the various agencies are listed in Appendixes 1 - 3.
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Interagency Collection Programs
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) Drift Collection Vessels Program
The USAGE is one of the main partners involved
in the Floatables Action Plan. With the use of
drift collection vessels (the Hayward, Driftmaster
and Gelberman), they are able to collect much of
the floatable debris found throughout the NY/NJ
Harbor Complex. The Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA) of 1974 was modified
by WRDA 90 Section 102 (V) Public Law 99-
662, to authorize the USAGE to collect floatable
debris while removing navigational hazardous.
The USAGE estimates that 90 percent by volume
of its collection total consists of wood debris.
Tires, plastic waste, cardboard, seaweed,
sewage-related materials and street runoff-
related materials constitute the remaining 10
percent by volume. The USAGE drift collection
vessels collected an estimated 4,597 tons
(9,194,000 Ibs) of floatable debris throughout
the USAGE fiscal year 2009. Information about
the USAGE vessels and the yearly total drift
collection amounts from 1988 to 2009 can be
found in Appendix 1. Website:
http://www.nan.usace.armY.mil
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) Vessel Program and,
Boom and Skim Collection Program
The 1992 CSO Abatement Order on Consent between the NYCDEP and New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (NYSDEC) required the NYCDEP to implement a short-term booming and skimming program to address
floatables debris from approximately 50 percent of the City's CSO area. The NYCDEP operates a large open water
skimmer vessel, the SV Cormorant, in the NY/NJ Harbor; however, due to technical malfunctions the SV Cormorant was not
operational in 2009. In addition, four smaller skimming vessels are used in Jamaica Bay, the East River, Newtown Creek,
Buttermilk Channel, Flushing and Bowery Bays. These vessels collected approximately 425.9 tons (851,800 Ibs) of debris
in 2009. The SV Cormorant began collecting floatable debris in 1994, and the smaller vessels beginning in 1995.
Appendix 2 lists historical collection amounts and vessel information.
Website: http://nYC.aov/html/dep/html/harbor water/float.shtml
Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Clean-up
The Ocean Conservancy sponsored the September 2009 Annual International Coastal Cleanup. In 2009, 1 0,425
volunteers coordinated by the American Littoral Society, cleaned and documented 144,837 pounds of debris along 326
miles of New York State's shoreline. The data shown in this report, 80,457 Ibs per 1 83 miles, covers eight selected counties
in New York: Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, Kings, Richmond, Manhattan, Bronx, and Westchester.
Website: http://www.alsnyc.org/cleanup.htm
New Rochelle, NY Boom Floatable Debris Collection System
In 1998, the City of New Rochelle, under a New York State Division of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) grant,
installed a "Stream Floatables Debris Collection System" at the Stephenson Brook storm water drainage area outfall, which
empties into Echo Bay and Long Island Sound. The system has a holding capacity of 1 cubic yard of debris. In 2009,
financial restraints prohibited needed repairs to operate. Therefore, no debris was collected. Historical collection totals
are located in Appendix 2. Website: http://www.newrochelleny.com/storm.asp
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NJDEP's Clean Shores Program
Beginning in 1989, NJDEP began a program now
called "Clean Shores", designed to collect shoreline
floatable debris before it became resuspended due
to tidal influences. This program uses New Jersey
inmates to collect floatable debris, comprised mainly
of landed drift wood, on non-recreational shorelines
in order to prevent floatable debris from being re-
floated during extreme high tides and washing up on
recreational beaches, and/or becoming hazards to
navigation and impacting marine life. Clean Shores
is conducted throughout the State of New Jersey in
the Hudson, Raritan and Delaware estuaries and
barrier island bays. In 1993, the Clean Shores
Program was put into service on a year-round basis
whereas formerly it was only implemented during the
bathing season. In 2009, approximately 1,897 tons
(3,794,000 Ibs) of debris were collected. Historical
collection totals per miles of shoreline cleaned, are
located in Appendix 3.
Website: http://www.state.ni.us /dec /bmw/CleanShores/CSmain.html
Photo: NJDEP's Clean Shores Program
NJDEP's Adopt-A-Beach Program
The State of New Jersey enacted a law in January 1993 which authorized NJDEP to administer an "Adopt A Beach"
program fostering volunteer stewardship of coastal beaches. NJDEP sponsors two statewide beach clean-ups each year.
Volunteers select (adopt) a beach for these clean-ups. Data are then forwarded to the Ocean Conservancy in order to be
included in their national and international marine debris database. For this program, collection totals are recorded by the
number of items collected and not by weight. In 2009, 53,71 8 items were collected. Historical collection data can be
found in Appendix 3. Website: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/watershedmgt/adopt a beach.htm
NJDEP's Clean Shores and Adopt A Beach Programs are funded by the sale of Shore Protection license plates.
Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners (PVSC) Skimmer Vessel Collection
The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners (PVSC) operates two skimmer vessels on the Passaic River and in Newark Bay.
The larger vessel, SV Newark Bay, is used in the Passaic River and Newark Bay. The smaller vessel, SV Passaic Valley, is
used in the upper parts of the Passaic River where the larger vessel can not reach, due to shallow waters and low bridges.
Approximately 86 tons (172,000 Ibs) of debris were collected in 2009. Historical collection totals are located in Appendix
3. Website: http://www.pvsc.com/rr/index.htm
PVSC Passaic River/Newark Bay Shoreline Restoration Program
In 1998, PVSC established a program to remove trash along the banks of the Passaic River. The program provides
coordination and support to municipalities, counties, citizens, service groups, and local businesses to conduct shoreline clean-
ups along the river and in their communities. In addition to the sponsorship of voluntary efforts, PVSC has implemented an
extensive clean-up of the river's shoreline by creating a River Restoration Department, consisting of 22 full-time employees
dedicated to the removal of trash and debris from the Passaic River and Newark Bay. In 2009, approximately 400 tons
(800,000 Ibs) of debris were collected. Historical collection totals are located in Appendix 3.
Website: httD://www.Dvsc.com/rr/index.htm
Additional Programs
In past Floatable Action Plan Assessment Reports, data were included for the NYCDEP's beach clean up program and for
twelve New Jersey Municipalities participating in a debris collection program. These programs are still being conducted,
however the information is no longer being supplied for inclusion in this report. This report is not intended to be all
inclusive, many other efforts by non governmental agencies and volunteer groups continue to help mitigate floatables in the
marine environment.
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Aerial Surveillance
Floatable surveillance of the NY/NJ Harbor Complex
was conducted Monday through Saturday, excluding
routine maintenance or inclement weather days, from
May 21 through September 7, 2009 via the EPA
helicopter. With the use of a plane and/or helicopter,
NJDEP conducted aerial surveillance of coastal waters six
days a week during the 2009 summer seasons. Flights
were conducted from Raritan Bay, around Sandy Hook
and south to Barnegat Light on Mondays, Tuesdays,
Fridays and Saturdays and from Raritan Bay around
Sandy Hook south to Cape May Point on Thursdays and
Sundays.
u,1 vj
Figure 1
Harbor /
r Complex
Floatable Surveillance Location
For purposes of this report, the NY/NJ Harbor
Complex is defined as the following five
waterbodies: 1) the Arthur Kill; 2) Newark Bay,
as far north as the New Jersey Turnpike Bridge;
3) the Kill Van Kull; 4) the Upper New York
Harbor, including the lower portions of the
Hudson River and the East River as far north as
Central Park, New York; and 5) the Lower New
York Harbor including Gravesend Bay, and the
shoreline of Coney Island as far east as the
Marine Parkway Bridge (Figure 1).
Reportable Floatable Debris
For cleanup purposes, the Floatables Action Plan
defined a significant "slick" as an aggregation of
floating debris of indefinite width and a minimum
length of approximately 400 yards (USEPA,
1989). Using this as a guideline, all slicks have
been divided into two categories: 1) slicks 400
yards to one mile in length, and 2) slicks greater
than one mile in length.
2009 Floatable Observations
Eleven significant floatable slicks were observed in 2009.
Newark Bay and the Arthur Kill had the most slicks observed,
four, and the Kill Van Kull with zero slicks observed, had the
least. Two slicks were reported in the Lower NY Harbor, and
one slick was observed in the Upper NY Harbor.
Helicopter Sampling Support In addition to the
floatable surveillance, the EPA helicopter is used to conduct
water quality sampling in support of the New York and New
Jersey National Sanitation Shellfish Programs. Additionally,
samples are collected for dissolved oxygen analyses at 20
stations one and three nautical miles off the New Jersey
coast from Sandy Hook to Cape May.
Photo: EPA's Surveillance Helicopter
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Trends - Floatable Sightings in the New York/New Jersey Harbor Complex
A total of 604 significant slicks was observed over a 21 year period (Figure 2). The sightings of slicks were variable from
year to year with the most number of slicks, 81 reported in 1990. The least number of slick sightings, six slicks, was
reported in 1998. For unknown reasons, there was a significant increase in slick observations in 2004 followed by a
decrease in 2005 and 2006, with a subsequent increase in 2007, followed by a decrease in 2008 and 2009. For the 21
year period, the majority of slicks observed, 82.6 percent was in the 400 yard to one mile in length category, and 17.4
percent was in the greater than one mile category (Figure 2).
c -c
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S 5
-C
3
90-'
80-'
70
60-'
50-
40-
30
20
10-
Trends of Floatable Observations in
1
the NY/NJ Harbor Complex
late May - early September 1 989 -
2009
D Slicks 400 Yards to One Mile in Length
Slicks > One Mile in Length
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'89 -90 '91 -92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 -98 '99 -00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 -08 '09
Year
Figure 2. Trends of Floatable Observations by Size
JS
O
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-g
Trends of Floatable Observations by
Locational Subdivision
(1992-2009)
JQ
E
S
o
-92 -93 -94
-96 -97 -98 -99 -00 -0
Year
-02 -03 -04 -05 -06 -07 -08 -09
Locational Subdivision
The Upper New York Harbor had the
greatest number of slicks, 1 39,
observed in the 1 8 year period. The
Kill Van Kull, with 33 slicks, had the
least number of slicks observed
(Figure 3). During ten of the 1 8
years, the Upper New York Harbor
had the most number of slicks
observed per year.
Figure 3. Trends of Floatable Observations by Locational Subdivision
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Beach Closures
Before the Floatables Action Plan was initiated, New Jersey
beaches were plagued with floatable washups responsible
for closing 25 miles of beach in May 1987 and 50 miles of
beaches in August 1987. In 1988, floatable washups were
responsible for closing 60 miles of New York beaches. Since
the initiation of the plan and its continued success, beach
closures due to floatable debris have been minimal.
Floatable washup can occur over various periods of time and
affect several beaches. From 1989 to 2008, New York
experienced seven floatable debris beach closure incidences
and New Jersey experienced ten floatable debris beach
closure incidences (Figure 4). The following is an historical
list of beach closures due to floatable debris:
_0
o
S 2
.a
E
Beach Closures Incidences
Due to Floatable Debris
1989-2009
I New Jersey n New York
I
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Year
Figure 4. Beach Closure Incidences
» In 1989, several Ocean City, NJ beaches were closed on July 20, 1989 due the washup of medical debris. Several Sandy Hook,
NJ beaches were closed on August 1 8 and 19, 1989 due to the washup of medical debris. In total, 9 closures occurred, accounting
for two beach closure incidences.
w- 1990: Ten Monmouth County, NJ beaches were closed due to f loatables on June 26, 1990.
9- 1991: Jacob Riis Park Beach, Brooklyn, NY was closed on August 31, 1991 due to the washup of medical waste.
-i- 1992: On July 22, 1992, a beach in Spring Lake, NJ was closed for a period of several hours due to a floatable debris washup.
NJDEP does not regard this incident as an official designated bathing area closure due to its brevity. The Lawrence Beach Club in
Atlantic Beach, NY was closed on July 20, 1992 due to the washup of medical waste.
4- 1998: NY beaches: Rockaway, Midland, Wolfe's Pond, South and Coney Island Beaches were intermittently closed between July
26 and 29. During this period, medical debris was found on various stretches of beaches.
w 2000: Beaches in Nassau County, NY were closed on August 7, 2000. A total of nine separate beaches (two in the Town of
Hempstead and seven in the Village of Atlantic Beach) was closed due to the discovery of 40-60 syringes.
T* 2002: Beaches in Suffolk County, NY were closed from June 12-13 due to the washup of a raw liquid latex material (which
solidified when it came into contact with water) found along a six mile stretch from Moriches Inlet to Smith County Park.
A- 2003: A total of 1 1 beaches (in Dover Township and in Lavallette, NJ) in a 1.5 mile section of beach was closed due to medical
waste. This precautionary closing occurred at 4:30PM on July 1 1 and the beaches were opened by the next morning. The City of
Long Beach (in Nassau County, NY) closed 4 areas of their beach (approximately 1000 feet of beach) due to medical syringes
actively washing ashore. Beaches reopened by July 25, 2003. On July 26, 2003, the Village of Atlantic Beach, NY closed its
East Atlantic Beach due to the active washup of a small number of medical syringes. This beach was reopened by July 27, 2003.
The closings in Long Beach and in Atlantic Beach are considered one incident. Two beach closings in Ocean County (Deauville in
Brick Twp. and the Normandy Beach Association in Dover, NJ) were closed in the afternoon because of a floatable debris washup.
Some syringes were found, but most of the debris was street litter. Beaches were reopened the following morning.
>t 2007: On the afternoon of September 2, the NJDEP hotline received numerous reports of trash and debris washing on to beaches
in Brick and Normandy Beach. Two beaches in Normandy Beach and two Chadwick Beaches were closed by 3:00 pm and
reopened at 10 the following morning. August 24, a Raritan Bay beach, Thompson Ave Beach, in Middeltown was closed at 3:30
pm and reopened the following morning.
m- 2008: On July 5, approximately 100 unexploded fireworks shells washed up on Jones Beach forcing the closure of the state park.
After a through inspection, the park was reopened the next day. On August 23, approximately 150-200 vacutainer tubes, several
syringes and medical cotton swabs washed onto beaches in Avalon. All beaches between 9th and 24th Streets were closed.
Additional medical waste continued to wash in at various beaches from August 23 through September 4. Beaches closed and
reopened as waste washed in and was removed. The great majority of the waste was caused by an intentional criminal dumping
event. During this event other syringes were found on beaches in Ocean City and Sea Isle City, beaches in those towns also closed.
A total of 1 20 closing occurred over 6 days, accounting for one beach closure incident. In 201 0, the guilty party received four
years probation and was fined $100,000 paid to the borough of Avalon to compensate for the cleanup costs.
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Floatable Collection Trends
Figures 5 and 6 show a compilation of
floatable debris collected by the interagency
partners as listed in Table 1.
NJDEP's Clean Shores program collects an
average of over 3,000 tons of debris each
year, and the USAGE collects an average of
over 5,000 tons of debris each year (Figure
5). A significant increase in the amount of
floatables collected occurred from 1988 to
1989, due to the addition of the NJDEP
Clean Shores program. However, in 1994
the Clean Shores program was cut in half
due to funding and a slight decrease in
floatable debris collection can been seen. In
general, the amount of floatable debris
collected remained steady for ten years from
1997 to 2006 with a decline reported in
2007 and 2008 followed by a slight
increase in 2009, for the Clean Shores and
USACE Programs. Among the other programs
reporting, a steady increase of debris
collected is shown from 1998 with the highest
amount collected in 2002. The past four years
show a decrease in the amount of debris
collected.
Total Floatable Deb
n
- USAGE
Drift
Collection
Figure 5. Major Players in Floatable Collection; NJDEP Clean Shores and
USACE Drift Collection, Total Floatable Debris Collected, 1988 - 2009.
Figure 6. Floatable Debris Collected From Six Participating Programs
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Appendices
Appendix 1 - United States Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) Drift Collection Vessel Information, USAGE Drift
Collection Vessels Program Collection Totals
Appendix 2 - New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) Skimmer Vessel Information,
NYCDEP Vessel/ Boom and Skim Program, Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup
Results for 8 New York Counties, New Rochelle, NY Boom Collection Data
Appendix 3 - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) Clean Shores Program, Adopt A
Beach Program Data, Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners (PVSC) Skimmer Vessels Collection
Data, PVSC's Passaic River/Newark Bay Restoration Program: Shoreline Cleanup Element
.
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Appendix 1
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) Drift Collection Vessel Information
Name of Vessel
Year Built
Length (feet)
Weight (tons)
Crane Capacity (tons)
Hay ward
1974
124
390.4
20
Driftmaster
1948
99
230
18
Gelberman
1980
85
190.17
4.5
USAGE Drift Collection Vessels Program Collection Totals
Fiscal Year
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
TOTAL
Total Drift Collection
(Cubic Feet)
537,353
571,645
537,770
544,350
548,970
539,355
442,615
552,840
592,450
493,400
558,900
560,575
539,930
528,875
557,050
512,350
536,200
534,210
504,200
461,755
416,550
459,875
11,531,218
Total Drift Collection
(Cubic Yards)
1 9,902
21,172
19,917
20,161
20,332
1 9,976
16,393
20,476
21,943
1 8,274
20,700
20,762
1 9,997
19,588
20,631
1 8,976
19,859
1 9,786
1 8,674
17,102
15,928
17,032
427,581
Estimated Total Drift Collection
(Tons)
5,374
5,716
5,378
5,444
5,490
5,394
4,426
5,528
5,925
4,934
5,589
5,606
5,399
5,289
5,571
5,124
5,362
5,342
5,042
4,617
4,165
4,597
115,312
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Appendix 2
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) Skimmer Vessel Information
Name
SV Piping Plover
SV Ibis
SV Jamaica Bay (new in 2005)
SV Egret
SV Cormorant
Where Used
Tributaries
Tributaries
Tributaries
Tributaries
Open Waters
Length (feet)
50
50
50
50
100
Capacity
3,000 -12,000 Ibs of wet material
3,000 -12,000 Ibs of wet material
3,000 -12,000 Ibs of wet material
3,000 -12,000 Ibs of wet material
2 nets; 1 ,000 cubic feet/net; up to 10 tons of wet material/net
NYCDEP Vessel/ Boom and Skim Program,
Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup Results for 8 New York Counties,
New Rochelle, NY Boom Collection Data
Year
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Total
NYCDEP
SV
Cormorant
(Tons)
NYCDEP Boom and Skim Program
Zone 1
Jamaica Bay
(Cubic Yards)
1 97.87
262.2
856.2
294
296.4
333.4
320
222.15
1 57.49
1 66.04
171.27
94.8
0
16.74
57.41
0
3445.97
258.5
732.5
657.5
331.5
324.25
138
133
397.5
426
445
249
293
382
416.5
373
5557.25
Zone ll/lll
East River
Newtown Creek
Buttermilk Channel
(Cubic Yards)
123
195.5
222
65
116
1 24.75
140.5
1 30.25
306.25
120.25
109.8
147.5
332.25
265.5
259.25
2657.8
Zone IV
Upper East River
Flushing/
Bowery Bays
(Cubic Yards)
353
801.5
657
418.5
676.5
351
309
592.5
648
928.5
772
1278
1594
1404
945
11728.5
Ocean Conservancy's International
Coastal Cleanup Results for 8 New
York Counties
(Pounds/Miles)
42,622 lbs/82.10 miles
46,001 lbs/98.75 miles
83,533 lbs/1 08.60 miles
95,201 lbs/1 68.97 miles
145,705 lbs/1 94.00 miles
153,507 lbs/1 62.4 miles
202,553 lbs/233.2 miles
142,632 lbs/1 59.0 miles
204,078 lbs/1 98.83 miles
277,972 lbs/264.75 miles
165,861 lbs/1 85.59 miles
115,012 lbs/235.95 miles
228,467 lbs/2 16.52 miles
92,762 lbs/324.99 miles
1 12,924 lbs/251.16 miles
80,457 lbs/1 82.59 miles
2,1 89,287 Ibs
New Rochelle
Boom Collection
Totals
(Cubic Feet)
548
953
483
857
1080
680
379
295
124
0
48.6
0
5447.6
--- = prior to program initiation
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Appendix 3
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) Clean Shores Program,
Adopt A Beach Program Data
Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners (PVSC) Skimmer Vessels Collection Data,
PVSC's Passaic River/Newark Bay Restoration Program: Shoreline Cleanup Element
Year
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
TOTAL
Clean Shores Program
(Tons of Floatable Debris
Collected/ NJ Shore Miles
Addressed )
3000 tons /24 miles
4800 tons/ 48 miles
4900 tons/74 miles
5800 tons/85 miles
5750 tons/71 miles
3700 tons/62 miles
2050 tons/80 miles
2650 tons/1 03 miles
2953 tons/146 miles
2400 tons/138 miles
2400 tons/182.4 miles
2563 tons/1 14.9 miles
2352 tons/172.3 miles
2080 tons/151.2 miles
2524 tons/ 107.8 miles
2410 tons/ 13 1.3 miles
2352 tons/1 18.8 miles
2646 tons/ 155.3 miles
2052.5 tons/1 30.5 miles
2072.5 tons/ 134.5 miles
1897 tons/ 150.7 miles
63,352 tons
NJDEP's Adopt A Beach
Program
(Number of Debris Items
Collected)
36,122
69,221
93,016
78,282
84,433
120,307
59,247
64,696
79,670
80,205
50,437
57,663
30,943
1 7,42 1
1 9,004
74,628
53,718
1,069,01 3 items
PVSC Skimmer Vessels
(SV Newark Bay-50ft ,
SVPassaic River-32ft)
Collection Data (Tons)
68
86
248
221
210
196
119
1 45.77
68.58
86
1448.35 tons
PVSC's Passaic
River/Newark Bay
Restoration Program:
Shoreline Cleanup
Element (Tons)
85.6
88.7
203
451
895
621
620
826
828.4
547.17
469.9
400
6035.77 tons
--- = prior to program initiation
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), 1977-1995, inclusive. "New York Bight Water Quality", annual reports, summers
of 1977 -1995, inclusive. Region 2, Edison, NJ.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), 1989. "Short-term Action Plan for Addressing Floatable Debris in the New York
Bight", prepared by Batelle Ocean Sciences, Contract No. 68-03-3319, Work Assignment No. 2-147, March 1989.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), 1992-2005, inclusive. "Floatable Action Plan Assessment Report". USEPA
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), 20067
Edison, NJ, EPA-902/R-07/002, Decembe,
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