Olympic Coast Cleanup - Beach Debris Removal
Pacific Region; 2005
Each year, over 300 volunteers contribute thousands of hours to collection of marine debris from the 65-mile shoreline interface of Olympic National Park (ONP) and Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS). This outpouring of support for environmental stewardship results annually in the removal of over 30,000 lbs. of plastics, wood, fishing gear, rubber, glass, and other flotsam from one of the few designated coastal wilderness areas in the Lower 48 states. Rangers from Olympic National Park, assisted by sanctuary staff and vessels, and the U.S. Coast Guard, have removed marine debris caches by small boat. At some locations, this entails surf landings using a small inflatable skiff to transfer bagged debris from the beach to a larger vessel.
In August 2005, Olympic National Park completed its detailed assessment of beach cleanup cache locations. Sites were evaluated for quantity and type of debris requiring removal and logistical considerations. On September 6, 2005, ONP personnel removed a debris cache at Norwegian Memorial by helicopter. The helicopter was available because of a re-vegetation project that is ongoing due to campground and social trail impacts in the vicinity. Olympic National Park procured a 10-person crew from the Student Conservation Association (SCA) to aid in this endeavor. The SCA crew was deployed in October for backpack transport of marine debris from wilderness sites.
This program is funded through NOAA's Ocean Service, Office of Response & Restoration, Marine Debris Program.
