The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to release the “New York Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide” (Guide). The Guide is a product of a collaborative process with state and federal agencies. The Guide aims to improve preparedness for responding to marine debris after hurricanes and other disasters in New York’s coastal areas, including the Great Lakes region.
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 waterways all at once. 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 danger to boat traffic, damage habitat, and even release pollution.
To prepare for these impacts, the NOAA Marine Debris Program works with coastal states and territories to develop response guidance documents. The New York Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide describes how all levels of government and other organizations work together after disasters to respond to marine debris. The Guide identifies organization roles and responsibilities and includes an overview of permitting and compliance requirements that must be met before marine debris removal work begins.
This Guide serves as a complete reference for marine debris response in New York. 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.