EPA releases two requests for initial proposals for projects that protect and restore the water quality of the San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. Applications due March 16, 2012.

RFIP 1 (PDF) (28 pp, 300K)

RFIP 2 (PDF) (27 pp, 300K)

Marine debris degrades ocean habitats, endangers marine and coastal wildlife, causes navigation hazards, results in economic losses to industry and governments, and threatens human health and safety. EPA Pacific Southwest (Region 9) is tapping existing programs and resources to advance the prevention, reduction and clean-up of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. EPA Pacific Southwest activities build upon specific recommendations of the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee by targeting threats and sources of debris and responding to debris impacts. EPA is initiating a three-pronged effort to reduce sources of marine debris, prevent trash from entering the oceans, and assess the human and ecosystem impacts and potential for cleanup.

Marine Debris in the North Pacific

Frequently Asked Questions
Download the full report with references in PDF format:
Marine Debris in the North Pacific
A Summary of Existing Information and Identification of Data Gaps (PDF) November 2011 (23 pp, 700K)
Discussions about Marine Debris (podcasts)

Source Reduction

Appropriate management of wastes can prevent items, such as disposable plastic bags, from becoming marine debris. The California Coastal Commission found that plastic bags comprise 13.5% of shoreline litter; the City of Los Angeles found that plastic bags make up 25% of litter in storm drains.

Click on the below FAQs to learn more about EPA’s position on disposable bags:

Does EPA support laws to ban or tax disposable bags?

Are paper or plastic shopping bags better for the environment? How about reusable bags versus disposal bags?

Approaching Zero Trash

Stakeholders in both the Los Angeles River watershed and San Francisco Bay Area watershed have established timelines to reach a goal of zero trash entering the Pacific Ocean from stormwater runoff.

Learn more about approaching zero trash.