The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to release the New Jersey Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: Comprehensive Guidance Document (Guide). The Guide is a product of collaboration among state and federal agencies. The Guide will improve preparedness for response and recovery operations following any natural disaster or event that generates large amounts of marine debris in New Jersey.
Marine debris ends up in the ocean every day as a result of littering and poor waste management. Occasionally, such as during natural disasters, large amounts of debris enter nearshore coastal waterways in a short period. Disaster-related debris can include abandoned and derelict vessels, construction and demolition debris, and household hazardous waste, among other types of debris. It can be a hazard to navigation, damage habitat, and pose pollution threats.
To prepare for these impacts, the NOAA Marine Debris Program works with coastal states and territories to develop response guidance documents. The New Jersey Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide describes how all levels of government and other organizations respond to marine debris, to facilitate a coordinated response after a disaster. The Guide identifies organization roles and responsibilities and includes an overview of permitting and compliance requirements for post-disaster marine debris removal.
This Guide serves as a complete reference for marine debris response in New Jersey. The accompanying Field Reference Guide includes the most pertinent information for quick reference in the field and during emergency response operations.
Check out this Guide as well as Guides from other regions on our website.