By The Associated Press Staff
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The state Ecology Department is asking beachcombers to throw away plastic foam, bottles and other small items that are landing on the Washington coast, apparently from the tsunami last year in Japan.
People who find large or potentially hazardous items are encouraged to report them to the department’s new marine debris line, 1-855-WACOAST (1-855-922-6278).
If an item could be identified by an owner in Japan, finders can email a photo to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at disasterdebris(at)noaa.gov.
Dozens of items from the tsunami have landed on the Washington coast, including a 20-foot boat that washed ashore June 15 near Ilwaco.
Other items from Asia, including buoys, regularly wash up on the coast and may not be from the tsunami. (end)
