We are thrilled to announce the remarkable impact of the Freedom from Marine Debris Project, generously funded by the NOAA Marine Debris Program. With the support of SOLVE, local municipalities, businesses, community groups, and nonprofits, we were able to address the aftermath of Fourth of July festivities, which annually result in the "dirtiest beach day of the year."
During 13 beach cleanups held on July 5th and 7th, a dedicated group of 275 volunteers rallied to restore the beauty of our coastline and river banks, collecting a total of 912 pounds of trash from the beautiful shores of Oregon. Despite existing regulations and restrictions on fireworks, volunteers noted a significant amount of fireworks debris collected throughout the county, highlighting the need for continued education and enforcement to protect our environment from such pollution.
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In addition to these cleanups, Surfrider Newport placed five 55-gallon waste barrels at beach accesses along the coast from Lincoln City to Yachats between July 1st and July 8th as part of the Freedom from Marine Debris Project. These barrels collected 640 pounds of trash adding to the nearly 1,000 pounds collected at cleanups, contributing further to the cleanliness and health of our beaches. Notably, the barrel located at the Yachats Ocean Road beach access collected the most trash, underscoring the importance of ongoing efforts in this area to balance the influx of holiday visitors.
Waste barrel and beach steward sign placed at Governor Patterson State Park
“While beaches were overall cleaner than in years past, firework debris represented a significant portion of the trash collected at our cleanups over the weekend,” said Kaia Hazard, Oregon Regional Manager for the Surfrider Foundation, “In thirty minutes, two volunteers collected 421 pieces of firework debris from just one parking area on the Yaquina Bay South Jetty. This number is startling, and is the reason we are out on the beach first thing on July 5th with our buckets and grabbers. However, we can’t beach cleanup our way out of this mess, so we will continue to educate folks on the harmful effects of fireworks, and encourage ocean-friendly alternatives. After all, the ocean needs more friends!”
Trash collected by two volunteers in 30 minutes, including over 400 pieces of firework debris
Surfrider would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all of the volunteers who participated in the beach cleanups, monitored and emptied barrels throughout the week, and to the community members who utilized the waste barrels. Additionally, we are grateful to North Lincoln Sanitary Service, Thompson’s Sanitary Service, and Dahl Disposal Service for donating their waste hauling services throughout the week. Your efforts all play a vital role in maintaining the beauty and ecological health of our coastline.
ABOUT THE FREEDOM FROM MARINE DEBRIS PROJECT
The Freedom from Marine Debris Project used a holistic approach to prevent and address marine debris in Lincoln County through educational outreach, collaboration with firework vendors, coordinated beach cleanups, and the development of a comprehensive toolkit for other communities to implement in the future. We educated Lincoln County residents and visitors about the harmful effects of firework debris, awareness of local firework restrictions and regulations, proper firework disposal methods, and promoted ocean-friendly choices through outreach via social media, local businesses, and elementary school workshops.
Want to stay up to date with Newport Chapter beach cleanups? Email beachcleanups@newport.or.surfrider.org to be added to our mailing list