Tsunami debris off the coast of Yamada, Japan. US Navy Pacific fleet

1. Japan Tsunami Marine Debris:Information and ActionMay 17th, 2012Marine Resource Committee Science Fair,Long Beach, WA Washington State Emergency Management DivisionWashington State Department of EcologyWashington State Department of HealthNOAA Marine Debris Program Tsunami debris off the coast of Yamada, Japan. US Navy Pacific fleet

2. 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 Photo: US Navy Ofunato, March 15

3. Early Debris • 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 Photos: US Navy Pacific Fleet

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

5. Marine Debris Movement: Ocean Currents and Winds

7. NOAA’s Action • Collaboration with partners! • Maritime advisory and sightings • Satellite detection • Modeling • Shoreline survey: OCNMS, SOLV and others • Planning • Information and outreach http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/japanfaqs.html Report debris sightings to: disasterdebris@noaa.gov

8. Reporting Marine Debris Report to: National Response Center 1-800-424-8802 or call 911 Report to: Disasterdebris@noaa.gov • Possibly tsunami related, inert items that are not hazardous or potentially hazardous • Examples: Soccer ball, float • Hazardous or potentially hazardous items • Examples: drums, chemical containers • Stay away. Don’t remove or open!

9. Summary of What We Know • 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: Emaildisasterdebris@noaa.govor report to local authorities

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

11. Thank you Get info: http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/japanfaqs.html Report sightings: disasterdebris@noaa.gov Nir Barnea NOAA Marine Debris Program 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115 Nir.barnea@noaa.gov

12. Washington Military Department The Emergency Management Division

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

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

15. 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.

16. 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.

18. 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

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

20. 2012 Beach Cleanup Surveys

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

22. 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.

23. To report oil spills & hazardous material releases Washington: 1-800-OILS-911 (1-800-258-5990) Coast Guard: 1-800-424-8802

24. 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

25. Solid Waste Issues

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

27. Washington State Department of Ecology http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2012/itn01_debris.html