Senators Introduce Tsunami Marine Debris Clean-Up Legislation

 Oregon  Senators Jeff Merkley,  Ron Wyden and California Senator Dianne Feinstein have introduced the Tsunami Debris Cleanup Reimbursement Act.   The act would give the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the authority to reimburse states for cleanup efforts that occurred before NOAA received funding from Japan.

In a statement, Senator Merkley said " This is common sense legislation that will help the coastal communities in Oregon who are dealing with debris from the devastating tsunami in 2011.".   

Last year, Japan announce that it would gift $5 million to the United State for clean up of Japanese tsunami marine debris that washed up along the West Coast.  The money was given to NOAA to administer,  but NOAA does not currently have the legal authority to reimburse states for debris cleanup that occurred before the gifted money was received.