WHEREAS it is reported that a giant mass of floating debris the size of California has been swept out into the ocean by the Japanese tsunami, and this debris could reach the shores of the West Coast by 2014; AND WHEREAS coastal communities on the West Coast of Vancouver Island do not have the resources or capacity to deal with a clean-up of this magnitude: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that coastal communities that may be impacted by the tsunami debris from Japan be involved in any federalprovincial planning processes, including representation on the Provincial Tsunami Debris Working Group that has been developed by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the provincial and federal governments develop a funding strategy for removal of tsunami debris, to offset potential costs to local governments.
Ministry of Environment The Joint Tsunami Debris Coordinating Committee, led by the BC Ministry of Environment Assistant Deputy Minister and Environment Canada Director General, has been pleased to welcome local government representatives, including Port Alberni CAO Russell Dyson, Joan Merrick, CAO of Skeena Queen Charlotte, Karla Robson, District of Ucluelet, and George Harvey, CAO of Delta as the UBCM representative, as members of the planning committee. Despite early reports that pointed to 20-30 million tonnes of debris, recent research places the quantity of debris entering the ocean at approximately 1.5 million tonnes. By way of comparison, this is roughly half the amount of solid waste generated in Metro Vancouver in one year. That debris has been at sea for over a year and has been dispersed over a wide area. Subjected to the tides and winds, it is expected that the volume has been further reduced as more debris breaks up and sinks. What remains is expected to arrive along the coast of North America gradually over the next few years. While some wind-blown tsunami debris has made its way to BC shores, it is too early to tell exactly where, when or how much of the bulk of the tsunami debris, driven by ocean currents, will land in BC. Any response to the debris needs to reflect this uncertainty and be scalable over time as our understanding grows. The province, in close cooperation with the federal government, local governments and other agencies is monitoring the debris situation and is prepared, in collaboration with other governments, to deal with human health or environmental issues arising from the debris. No one agency or group has the sole responsibility or jurisdiction for responding to this challenge. It will require the resources and collaborative efforts of all, including Local Governments, to effectively manage any debris that washes ashore along BCs coast and to ensure communities have accurate information. While the Province may consider assistance to local governments where the management of tsunami debris overwhelms local resources, this would be assessed on a case by case basis and is not deemed necessary at the present time. Phase 1 of the Tsunami Debris Management Plan has been completed. Phase 2 is being developed in partnership with local governments and other partners and will provide scalable options for disposal of collected debris.