Tsunami Cleanup Gets Boost

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B.C. grants funding for expanded shoreline cleanup

VANCOUVER – B.C. has awarded $270,000 to the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup to expand its tsunami debris removal project along the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

The funding will be used for tsunami debris cleanup efforts including training and education about debris identification and disposal, transportation of volunteers and collected debris in and out of remote areas and cleanup supplies.

Under the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup program, 59 shorelines, totalling approximately 88 kilometres, have already been identified for cleanup along B.C.’s west coast. This funding will increase the program’s capabilities to reach remote shorelines and provide assistance to coastal communities.

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a conservation program led by the Vancouver Aquarium and WWF (World Wildlife Fund), and is presented by Loblaw Companies Limited. The program is a valued partner to local, provincial and federal governments in cleaning up any tsunami debris that washes up along the coastline.

The funding is available through the one-time grant of approximately $1 million the Government of Japan presented to the Government of Canada last year to help clean up tsunami debris.

To date, more than $646,000 has been awarded to successful applicants to put toward their collaborative efforts in developing plans for managing and cleaning up tsunami debris along B.C.'s coastline