Swamp Stomp
Volume 17, Issue 31
The bipartisan co-chairs of the House Oceans Caucus introduced legislation recently that, if passed, is supposed to help federal, state and local governments combat the increasing influx of trash in the world’s seas.
H.R. 2748, from Representatives Don Young (R-Alaska) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon), would reauthorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program through fiscal 2022.
“It would also allow the NOAA administrator to work with state governors to declare marine debris events and authorize funds to assist cleanup and response” (Smith-Schoenwalder).
“The issue of marine debris and cleanup is crucially important to Alaska — especially given how closely connected our coastal communities and economies are to our oceans, waterways and ecosystems,” said Young.
According to a summary of the bill, up to 12.7 million metric tons of trash made its way into the oceans in 2012. If changes and improvements are not made to waste management infrastructure, then the number is expected to rise.
“Keeping garbage and large pieces of debris out of the ocean and off of our shores protects our health and well-being, our vibrant coastal tourism economy, and the many people who make a living in the fishing industries,” said Bonamici.
The bill would also encourage international negotiations with countries that produce large amounts of trash to discuss and attempt to find solutions to the problem.
Do you want this legislation to be passed? Do you think more should be done to lower the amount of trash entering our oceans? How do you personnel try to lower your trash output so that it does not reach the oceans?
Source: Smith-Schoenwalder, Cecelia. “Caucus Leaders Introduce Marine Debris Bill.” Greenwire. E&E News, 12 June 2017. Web. 12 June 2017.