Government of Japan gifts NOAA $5 million to address tsunami marine debris
The Government of Japan announced on Friday, November 30th a gift of $5 million to the United States, through the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program, to support efforts in response to marine debris washing ashore in the U.S. from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
“We’re pleased that Japanese government is providing funds to help agencies in California and the other states affected by tsunami debris offset some of our response and cleanup costs, particularly at a time when state and local budgets are tight,” said Mark Ghilarducci of the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA), which coordinates overall state-agency emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts in California. “The funds provided by the Japanese government, combined with the $50,000 previously allocated by NOAA, will help relieve some of the financial burden that response and cleanup has placed on California agencies and taxpayers. We look forward to working with our local, state and federal partners to restore life along the coast to normal as quickly as possible and to meet the challenges ahead.
To read NOAA and other state agencies’ statements, please click here.