Japan Tsunami Marine Debris:

Information and updates

Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium 18 April 2012

http://www.personal-mastership.com/tag/red-ocean/

Overview
Early tsunami-generated marine debris Overview of what we know (and dont)
Ocean models of tsunami debris movement Other Frequently Asked Questions

Federal agencies (alphabetical order)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Park Service Navy Region Hawaii

Federal and non-federal activities Contingency response planning

Early Tsunami-generated Marine Debris

Photo taken on March 12, 2011 off the Sendai coast, Japan.

Early on, debris was in concentrated patches, fields Patches/fields no longer visible by April 14, 2011 Wood, construction materials abundant Most debris probably sank near shore Past experience: American Samoa tsunami, hurricanes Katrina and Rita most debris sank near shore Likely 70% sank in nearshore waters of Japan (Government of Japan)

Photos: US Navy Pacific Fleet

Government of Japan, 3/9/12 press release with estimated amounts: http://www.env.go.jp/press/press.php?serial=14948

Early Tsunami-generated Marine Debris

March 11, 2011 Debris washed out with tsunami By April 14, 2011 debris could no longer be detected by our satellites.

Satellite image: 14 March 2011; 15m resolution

What We Know
Debris is dispersed and not in large concentrations or fields.
Likely quite a lot of debris sank near shore off Japan coast. Computer models Debris will move east with predominant ocean currents and winds Predicted trajectories of simulated marine debris Simulated debris particles dont degrade, sink, etc. No real-time tracking Very difficult to predict an exact date and location

Marine Debris Movement

Characteristics of a debris item will affect how it moves with ocean currents and winds. Ocean currents

Winds

Combination of sail area and drag Low = slow (e.g., wood) Medium = moderate (e.g., fishing vessel) High = fast (e.g., unoccupied inflatable life
raft)

Marine Debris Modeling

No models exist yet specifically for marine debris of all shapes and sizes.
NOAA OSCURS (surface current model; Ocean Surface Current Simulator) Forecast; historical data; lower windage used NWHI-winter 2011/2012; W. coast and AK-2013; MHI-2014 NOAA GNOME (oil spill model; General NOAA Operational Modeling Environment) Hindcast Using Navy HyCOM (ocean currents) and NOAA data (wind) 1-5% wind speed GNOME results High windage debris waters off Pacific Northwest coast as early as winter 2011-2012. Majority of modeled particles are dispersed north and east of the Hawaiian Archipelago. This debris may show up intermittently along shorelines for a long period of time, over the next year or longer.

Marine Debris Modeling

NOAA GNOME
1,000 particles Random windage: low to high 8 locations (>3.5m) 0700, 11 March 2011 through 7 April 2012 These do NOT represent fields/patches of debris

Area contains 95% of all simulated particles

Area with highest concentration of simulated debris with 1% windage

What We Know
Where will debris wash ashore? Areas where marine debris typically washes ashore East or windward sides of most Main Hawaiian Islands NWHI and MHI (agency staff, NGOs, community groups, etc.) no confirmed reports Radioactivity above normal? Highly unlikely. Debris washed out days before the Fukushima-Daiichi power plant incident Shoreline marine debris monitoring ongoing State Dept. of Health monitoring since April 2011

What We Dont Know

How much remains still floating? Unknown Estimates from Japan Ministry of the Environment (3/9/12 release): Approx. 5 million tons of debris washed into the ocean 70% of that likely sunk near shore 30% (1.5 million tons) still floating soon after tsunami How much of that still remains afloat at this time = ? Figures in most media (5-20+ million tons) = unsubstantiated Types of debris? Relatively unknown Hawaii receives marine debris from across the Pacific, including Japan Difficult to source identify Japan tsunami marine debris Three confirmed sightings identifiable fishing boats

Federal Agencies
Roles and activities related to Japan tsunami marine debris

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Park Service Navy Region Hawaii

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program and Permits

Main point of contact: George Young, Chief, Regulatory Branch (george.p.young@usace.army.mil, (808)438-9258) Area of Responsibility: HI, GU, AS, & CNMI Regulatory Program Authorities Section 10, Rivers and Harbors Act,1899 Section 404, Clean Water Act, 1972 Section 103, Marine Protection, Research, Sanctuaries Act, 1972 Jurisdictional Limits Section 10 (Rivers and Harbors Act) All marine and ocean waters, incl. adjacent wetlands, tidal stream mouths and estuaries High Tide Line seaward to 3 nautical miles offshore (200 nautical miles offshore if structure/infrastructure is anchored to sea floor

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program and Permits

Jurisdictional Limits (continued) Section 404 (Clean Water Act) All marine and ocean waters, relatively permanent tributaries, and all waters/wetland with a significant nexus to navigable waters Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) and below Within boundary of wetland, if material is placed in a wetland Work Requiring a Permit All work in, over, or under navigable (ocean/marine) waters, incl. dredging, with potential to affect the course, capacity, or use of navigable waters

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program and Permits

Work Requiring a Permit (continued) All projects involving the placement and/or discharge of dredged and/or fill material into a jurisdictional water body or wetland Who is Required to Obtain a Corps Permit? Any individual/agency conducting work in, over, or under navigable waters, or discharging fill into jurisdictional waters Permit Types (available for debris removal) Nationwide Permit (NWP), Letter of Permission (LOP), Standard Permit (SP)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program and Permits

Permit Processing Considerations Corps is required to complete other consultations required by law, including Endangered Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation Act, National Historic Preservation Act. Corps will use the most expedient process appropriate for project scale and impacts to aquatic environment. NWP/LOP/RGP < 60 days; SP > 120 days State Permits Required Before Corps Permit May Be Issued Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Consistency Determination, Office of State Planning; For all projects. Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) , State Dept of Health, Clean Water Branch; For projects involving discharge of fill.

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Coast Guard

Marine Debris Authorities under: Marine Debris Research, Prevention and Reduction Act of 2006, to: Prevent discharge by ships only. Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 USC 1321), to: Respond to substantial threats of discharge in U.S. navigable waters. Oil Pollution Act of 190- OPA-90 (33 USC 2701), to: Provides for a strict liability regime for spills in navigable waters. Agency Assistance (14 USC 141(a)), to: Assist Fed/State partners to perform duties especially qualified for. Related to above: Economy Act (31 USC 1535), to Allow for reimbursement of services between agencies. Notice to Mariners 33 CFR 72.01, to: Advises mariners of information concerning safety of navigation.

U.S. Coast Guard

Derelict Vessels, specifically under: 14 USC 88 (4) Saving life and property May destroy or tow into port sunken or floating dangers to navigation. Main point of contact: CDR Robert Hendrickson, Law Enforcement Branch, District 14 (robert.t.hendrickson@uscg.mil, (808)535-3361)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

U.S. EPA Statutory Mandates and Jurisdictions

Jurisdiction: Inland zone, 50 yards inland of the high tide line Activities: Assess hazardous materials and advise State of Hawaii on safe transport and disposal options Resources: EPA's Superfund Program has authority to assess, clean up and dispose of hazardous materials, pollutants or contaminants that pose a threat to human health and the environment. ORRT: EPA Co-Chairs the Oceania Regional Response Team with the US Coast Guard. Federal and state representatives on the ORRT meet three times a year. JTMD has been on the ORRT agenda since April 2011.

U.S. EPA Roles and Activities

Response SOPs: USEPA has well established protocols for assessing hazardous materials. POC in the Region is Harry L. Allen Transportation/Disposal SOPs: USEPA concurs on an ocean dumping permit issued by the Army Corps. POC is Allan Ota Ongoing Monitoring: Working with the interagency workgroup. POC is Anna-Marie Cook Response Protocol: Coordinating with California agencies to develop response protocols/contingency plans. POC is John Kennedy Main point of contact for EPA Region: Daniel Meer, Superfund Division, Emergency Response, Preparedness and Prevention Branch (Meer.Daniel@epamail.epa.gov, (415)972-3132)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Roles and Activities

Locational jurisdictional information - Shoreline/land and some near shore waters within refuge areas NWHI Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (NWR); Hawaiian Islands NWR consisting of Nihoa Island Mokumanamana Island French Frigate Shoals with Tern Island Laysan Island Lisianski Island Pearl and Hermes Atoll Oahu - James Campbell NWR

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Roles and Activities

Activities related to marine debris FWS supports studies on the effects of marine debris to wildlife and documentation of accumulation of marine debris on shoreline at selected locations in NWHI and in Oahu; Potential resources available - NONE unless additional funding is provided; Participant in Regional Response Contingency Plan and associated protocols/procedures for hazmat Transportation/Disposal Capability - NONE unless significant funding provided.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Roles and Activities

Ongoing and Future detection and monitoring Midway Atoll - Monitoring of marine debris utilizing protocols developed with Christine Ribic, PhD and Seba Sheavly, PhD; POC = Deputy Refuge Manager John Klavitter, John_Klavitter@fws.gov, 808-954-4817 Tern Island - Monitoring of marine debris on data form; working with NOAA Marine Debris Program; POC = Tern Island Refuge Manager Paula Hartzell, PhD; paula_hartzell@fws.gov, 808-7929480 Laysan - Incidental monitoring. POC: Biotech Cindy Rehkemper, cindy_rehkemper@fws.gov, 808-792-9487 James Campbell NWR on Oahu Incidental Monitoring and ongoing cleanup. POC: Dave Ellis (dave_ellis@fws.gov, (808)6376330) Main point of contact: Barry Stieglitz, Refuge Supervisor, (Barry_Stieglitz@fws.gov, (808)792-9540)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

NOAA Roles and Resources

Scientific support Information dissemination NOAA trust resource protection and management Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Contingency response planning Marine debris removal efforts Marine Debris Program: Total of 12 staff nationwide for all marine debris issues; 1 staff (70% time) on JTMD for 6 mos. Other NOAA offices: Modelers, oceanographers, satellite imagery experts, data visualizers, and communications personnel

NOAA Scientific Support

Modeling Two NOAA models (forecast and hindcast) Coordinating modeling subject-matter expert group Model output: graphic and communication At-sea/Aerial sightings and satellite imagery Call for significant sightings of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean; report to disasterdebris@noaa.gov Tracking reported at-sea and aerial sightings High resolution satellite imagery analysis Shoreline NOAA Marine Debris Program Shoreline Monitoring Guide and data sheet MD.monitoring@noaa.gov Assisting in analysis of monitoring data from Tern Island, FFS, NWHI Tracking shoreline sightings; report to disasterdebris@noaa.gov

NOAA Scientific Support

Reported sightings and satellite imagery

NOAA Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA)

Only three confirmed sightings of Japan tsunami marine debris.

NOAA Information Dissemination

Web page http://marinedebris.noaa. gov/info/japanfaqs.html Biweekly agency update conference call Meetings and briefings with partners and stakeholders Public presentations Media (traditional, social, digital) EPA-NOAA monthly bulletin Subscribe online

NOAA Fiscal Year 2012 Planned Activities

with additional funding from Congress (Senator Inouye):

Expanded marine debris removal effort in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Improved at-sea observations and potential marine debris tracking Shoreline marine debris monitoring in HI, AK, WA, OR, CA Facilitation of contingency planning and information sharing Marine debris modeling communication and data visualization

NOAA Resource Protection and Planning

Japan Tsunami Marine Debris Workshop Honolulu | 19 January 2012 Focus was Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Information & updates Contingency response planning with regional subject matter expert groups 80 participants; 42 agencies and organizations
Am Marine/PENCO City and County of Honolulu, Dept. of Emergency Management City and County of Honolulu, Dept. of Environmental Services City and County of Honolulu, Dept. of Parks and Recreation County of Hawaii, Department of Environmental Management County of Hawaii, Civil Defense County of Kauai, Deputy County Attorney County of Kauai, Fire Dept., Ocean Safety Bureau County of Kauai, Police Dept. County of Maui, Mayor's office Heally Tibbits HIHW National Marine Sanctuary/DLNR Hawaii Pacific University NOAA Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary NOAA Marine Debris Program NOAA National Weather Service NOAA Office of Coast Survey NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Pacific Islands Region NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center NOAA PIFSC Coral Reef Ecosystem Division NOAA Pacific Islands Region NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office NOAA Pacific Services Center Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument Sause Bros. State of Hawaii, Civil Defense State of Hawaii, Coastal Zone Management Program State of Hawaii, Dept. of Health State of Hawaii, Dept. of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) State of Hawaii, DLNR, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation State of Hawaii,, Office of Planning Tetra Tech University of Hawaii, International Pacific Research Center University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program US Coast Guard, District 14 US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 US Fish and Wildlife Service US Navy Region Hawaii Woolaway and Assoc. Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council

NOAA
Main points of contact: Hawaii (Pacific Islands Region): Carey Morishige, NOAA Marine Debris Program (carey.morishige@noaa.gov, (808)532-3207) National: Ruth Yender, NOAA Marine Debris Program (ruth.yender@noaa.gov, (808)694-3936)

National Park Service

National Park Service Roles and Activities

NPS has primarily a terrestrial presence in Hawaii and the Pacific though there are several parks with offshore boundaries and marine resource stewardship programs in place - the parks will address those areas specifically identified under their enabling legislation and work with partners and communities for areas adjacent to the parks. NPS stands ready to provide assistance and will support other agencies and organizations at all levels to address issue in both the near term and long term processes. NPS currently has cooperative and mutual aid agreements with various agencies and organizations such as NOAA and the Coast Guard in support of joint operations and projects. NPS will engage and support inventory and monitoring, communication strategies, outreach and education programs. Note the importance of community education, outreach and engagement about the marine debris issue.

National Park Service Roles and Activities

Parks will have locally based responsibilities (by island) and will coordinate appropriately; network and ensure information and communication process to avoid duplication, streamline response and commitments of staff and technical support. NPS will partner with others in activities in support of tsunami marine debris management and identification and/or removal; supportive role; standing by as needed. Communications and outreach issues will need to be defined and established; parks have offered to host, in conjunction with partners, current information such as posters and media materials at park visitor centers to bring awareness to the issue. NPS currently deploys the Incident Command System (ICS) and unified command process for all major events and would encourage the development and implementation of a unified command system amongst agencies. Main point of contact: Melia Lane-Kamahele, Manager, Pacific Islands Office (Melia_Lane-Kamahele@nps.gov, (808)541-2693 x729)

Navy Region Hawaii

Navy Region Hawaii Responsibilities and Planning

Navy Region Hawaiis primary responsibility is for the shore installation management of Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam and Pacific Missile Range Facility Navy Region Hawaii is closely monitoring the status of Japan Tsunami Marine Debris (JTMD) for potential operational impacts and to proactively protect the natural resources along the shorelines of our installations Region personnel have participated in all major NOAA and EPA led JTMD meetings in Hawaii

Navy Region Hawaii Shoreline Protection

Installations will respond to any increased occurrences of marine debris through establish shore cleanup procedures Installation will continue to conduct mandated and volunteer based shoreline cleanup events and educational outreach to the military community Installation staff will seek opportunities with our Federal and State partners to share information on any JTMD discoveries

Navy Region Hawaii Partnering

US Navy is providing ocean current data from the HyCOM (Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model) system for use in the NOAA JTMD modeling efforts Main point of contact: Regional Coordination Office (808)473-4141

Navy Region Hawaii Stewardship

Federal and Non-Federal Activities

Federal Activities
(Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Federal waters, shorelines, and lands) Scientific support modeling, satellite imagery acquisition & analysis (NOAA, USCG, Navy) Floating hazards to navigation (USCG) Oil and hazardous materials assessment and response (USCG, EPA) Trust resource management and protection (NOAA, FWS, NPS) NWHI response contingency planning (NOAA, USFWS)

Non-Federal Activities
(Non-Federal coastal and nearshore areas) Majority of marine debris response, removal, disposal Lead Main Hawaiian Islands response contingency planning NWHI response contingency planning

Marine Debris Response Contingency Planning

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Lead(s): Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument co-trustees (NOAA, USFWS, State of Hawaii) Status: Information being compiled on existing plans and protocols. Identification of gaps and needs. Working to ensure all possible scenarios are covered.

Main Hawaiian Islands Lead(s): TBD Status: State and County agencies in communication regarding existing plans and protocols relating to marine debris. Identification of gaps and needs.

Mahalo

For more information: www.MarineDebris.noaa.gov disasterdebris.wordpress.com