DEC Announces Annual Beach Cleanup Effort in New York

• by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

ALBANY, NY (09/16/2008)(readMedia)-- As the largest volunteer effort in the marine environment approaches on Saturday, September 20, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today encouraged New Yorkers to join in to help clean up the state's shorelines and beaches as part of the International Coastal Cleanup event.

"This annual effort, now in its 22nd year, will help to protect New York's thousands of miles of beaches, rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands and keep these outstanding resources as clean and healthy as possible," Commissioner Grannis said. "With cleanup plans scheduled around the state, there are opportunities to get involved in almost every community."

The International Coastal Cleanup is a volunteer, grassroots effort to remove and document debris from the shores of oceans, streams, lakes, rivers, ponds, and canals throughout the world. In New York State, the event has been coordinated since the 1980s by the Northeast Chapter of the American Littoral Society.

Last year, more than 9,000 New Yorkers participated in the event, helping to remove more than 142,000 pounds of debris at 285 sites throughout the state. This year's cleanup will take place at various New York beaches and shorelines on Long Island Sound, the Hudson River, the Great Lakes, and various other waterways.

"DEC works closely with groups like the American Littoral Society to protect our state's valuable natural resources," Commissioner Grannis said. "The International Coastal Cleanup is an event that families can work on together. It is a unique opportunity to introduce children to environmental stewardship."

By recording the amount and type of debris collected, volunteers help present a clearer picture of pollutants affecting our waterways. This is an important step in developing solutions to prevent pollution and protect water quality and marine habitat.

The data collected from this year's beach cleanups will be sent to the Ocean Conservancy and included in a national report that is available to legislators, media, and the general public. The information also helps to

To obtain additional information, a list of cleanup sites or to volunteer to participate, visit the American Littoral Society website at http://www.alsnyc.org or call 1-800-449-0790. For assistance in forming a cleanup team of your own, call (718) 471-2166 or send an e-mail to alsbeach@aol.com .