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Great Lakes marine debris removed

By CHRISTIE MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — The Superior Watershed Partnership announced it has used funding awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program to host coastal cleanups, beach hikes and diving events this past summer for the city of Marquette, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Bay Mills Indian Community.

The SWP deployed the Great Lakes Climate Corps to hike over 200 miles of coastline picking up litter and debris along the way. Coordinated local dive teams also removed underwater materials. As a result of this program, over 12,000 pounds of marine debris have been removed from Lake Superior this season.

Debris removed includes litter, plastic, tires, anchors, derelict fishing gear, bicycle and household appliances. SWP plans to host additional cleanup events in 2023, partnering with other coastal communities along more than 600 miles of Lake Superior shoreline in the Upper Peninsula.

“Collaboration has been key in planning these community clean-up events,” said Tyler Penrod, SWP program manager, in a news release. “Thanks to the Great Lakes Climate Corps, the city of Marquette, the Bay Mills Indian Community, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s Natural Resource Department and the Great Lakes Scuba Diving Club, these events have been very successful for coastal communities and our coastal environment.”

Marine debris, also known as marine litter, is human-created waste that has been accidentally or deliberately released into the Great Lakes or ocean waters. Marine debris impacts aquatic habitat, injures or kills fish and other wildlife, interferes with navigation safety, and can pose a threat to human health, the SWP said.

Marine debris includes a wide range of items both small and large, including plastic bags, bottles, cans, commercial fishing gear, tires, appliances, cars and abandoned boats. The SWP indicated that the most common materials are plastics, glass, metal, paper, cloth, rubber and wood products. Sources of marine debris include stormwater runoff, littering, industrial activities, unregulated construction sites and illegal dumping.

According to SWP Executive Director Carl Lindquist, “The recent increase in nature tourism has been good for the regional economy but has also led to increased environmental impacts, including an increase in litter and other debris in the sensitive coastal zones of Lake Superior.

“Thanks to NOAA funding, we’ve been able to assist communities and tribes with cleanup events and improving coastal habitat. The SWP is committed to making the Upper Peninsula a Great Lakes model for coastal resiliency and truly sustainable tourism. We encourage residents and tourists alike to consider volunteering at one of our coastal clean-up events next summer.”

Sadly, there is no place on earth that is immune to this problem, the SWP said. While the U.P. has approximately 312,000 year-round residents, it has experienced a dramatic increase in nature tourism in recent years with millions of additional visitors annually. Unfortunately, many Great Lakes coastal areas have seen a corresponding increase in beach litter, shoreline erosion, habitat degradation and water quality impacts. 

To address the problem in the U.P., the SWP has mobilized its Great Lakes Climate Corps to implement a series of cleanup events with coastal communities, tribes and other project partners. The Great Lakes Climate Corps is composed of young adults who possess both the passion and work ethic to implement a wide range of environmental projects that benefit the Great Lakes and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Several additional prioritized sites such as harbors and marinas will be eligible for underwater debris removal projects in 2023. While the SWP has conducted annual beach cleanup events for over two decades, NOAA funding allows the program to provide more services and serve more communities.  

Communities, tribes and other Lake Superior coastal property owners are encouraged to contact the SWP with information on large debris locations, potential beach cleanup sites or related debris removal sites. This is a two-year project funded through a $122,000 NOAA Marine Debris grant with clean-up events taking place through 2023.

Lindquist said in an email that for the NOAA Marine Debris project, the non-federal match is provided through some SWP staff time, the Great Lakes Climate Corps and project partners, but most of the non-federal match is provided through volunteer participation at the community clean-up events.

The non-federal match was approximately $122,000.

According to the NOAA, “With over 900 miles of Lake Superior coastline, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a unique freshwater haven treasured and depended upon by residents and tourists alike.

“The publicly accessible shorelines, especially those within and adjacent to coastal communities, are a primary draw to the 311,000 people that reside in the U.P. and the millions of people that visit each year.

“Further, the species-rich waters of Lake Superior are an important resource for both recreational and commercial fishing, including tribal fisheries throughout treaty-ceded waters. Marine debris, such as large plastics, derelict fishing gear, industrial debris and other trash, have had historic and present impacts to local community economies, as well as natural resources that many depend upon in the U.P.”

Art contest open

The NOAA Marine Debris Art Contest is now open. The NOAA Marine Debris Program holds an annual art contest to reach K-8 students and help raise awareness about marine debris. 

The contest will close on Dec. 16. Information is available at bit.ly/3Ed0L1O.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.

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