What is being done to prevent floatable wash-ups?
Since the much-publicized wash-ups of 1987-88, various measures undertaken by federal, state and local governments have significantly reduced the frequency and extent of floatable wash-ups on Suffolk County beaches. The USEPA and the US Coast Guard regularly conduct air and sea patrols of New York Harbor to look for evidence of floatable debris. Additionally, the US Army Corp of Engineers and New York City collect floatable debris from the harbor and its tributaries using specially designed skimmer vessels. Locally, as part of the National Beach Cleanup Program, volunteers from high schools and scout programs annually conduct beach cleanup days where they remove debris from various beach shorelines.
