Japan Tsunami Marine Debris: Information and Action May 17 th, 2012 Marine Resource Committee Science Fair, Long Beach, WA Washington State Emergency Management Division Washington State Department of Ecology Washington State Department of Health NOAA Marine Debris Program Tsunami debris off the coast of Yamada, Japan. US Navy Pacific fleet

Earthquake and Tsunami 9.0 magnitude earthquake 120 ft max wave height 217 square miles inundation 15,844 people confirmed dead, 3,451 missing Massive damage Ofunato, March 15 Photo: US Navy

Early Debris Photos: US Navy Pacific Fleet Debris on March 13 off the Sendai coast Patches and fields Wood, construction materials abundant The debris dispersed, some sunk Photos: US Navy Pacific Fleet

By April 14, debris could no longer be detected by satellites. Early Satellite Detection

Marine Debris Movement: Ocean Currents and Winds

NOAA’s Action Report debris sightings to: Collaboration with partners! Maritime advisory and sightings Satellite detection Modeling Shoreline survey: OCNMS, SOLV and others Planning Information and outreach

Possibly tsunami related, inert items that are not hazardous or potentially hazardous Examples: Soccer ball, float Report to: Reporting Marine Debris Report to: National Response Center or call 911 Hazardous or potentially hazardous items Examples: drums, chemical containers Stay away. Don’t remove or open!

Debris is dispersed and not in large concentrations or fields Deposition: Floating debris, over time Marine debris sightings: By US and Japan Satellite detection: None recently. Effort ongoing Computer model Some high windage items have reached the Pacific Northwest coast Bulk of floating debris still offshore Radioactive? Highly unlikely Human remains? Highly unlikely Items of sentimental value: or report to local Summary of What We Know

boom shipping container Photos: Japan Air Force Quantity and exact composition of debris still afloat Fate and effect Exact timeline and location Summary of What We Don’t Know

Thank you Nir Barnea NOAA Marine Debris Program 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA Get info: Report sightings:

Washington Military Department The Emergency Management Division

Emergency Management Mission Minimize the impacts of emergencies and disasters on the people, property, environment, and economy of Washington State.

Emergency / Disaster Objectives Save lives and prevent injury Protect property Protect the environment Protect the economy

The State EOC….. Provides Statewide Alert, Notification, and Warning. Provides Coordination and support for:  Local, state, and federal response Supports local jurisdictions’/tribes’ emergency response. Anticipates local jurisdictions’/tribes’ disaster recovery requirements.

In Summary Washington State Military Department is the central coordinating agency for local, state, federal, and private agencies before, during, and after emergencies or disasters. The Department, through the Emergency Management Division orchestrates the “whole of government” response to state disasters and to events such as the projected landfall of tsunami debris.

State Department of Health The Department of Health works with local, state, and federal partners to prepare for public health emergencies. Several agency programs are working with those partners in response to marine debris from the Japan tsunami. Office of Radiation Protection Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Office of Communications Public Health Laboratories

Office of Radiation Protection Will support our federal, state, local partners. Spot check debris for contamination. Respond to radiological issues, as needed.

2012 Beach Cleanup Surveys

Washington State Department of Ecology Hazardous Materials and Oil Spills Hazardous Materials and Oil Spills Solid Waste Issues Solid Waste Issues Washington Conservation Corps Washington Conservation Corps

Hazardous Materials & Oil Spills Respond to,clean up oil spills & hazardous materials (containers, fuel tanks, etc.). We already do this statewide – we receive 3,800 reports / conduct 1,200 field responses a year.

To report oil spills & hazardous material releases Washington: OILS-911 ( ) Coast Guard:

Solid Waste Issues Assist local health departments & solid waste utilities. Possible assistance with financing, coordination, collaboration with existing efforts to remove marine debris from Washington beaches

Solid Waste Issues

Washington Conservation Corps Assists With Emergency Response Removal of Hazardous Materials and Large Debris Coordination Washington Veterans Corps

Washington State Department of Ecology