Want to REALLY keep coastline beaches clean? Demand that offshore waste dumping end

[zulchzulu]

We're thankfully coming into the spring/summer seasons and those lucky enough to enjoy or travel to coastline beaches probably know about how it's not offshore drilling that's the problem... at least in nearly 90% of all coastlines in the US.

It's offshore waste dumping.

You may remember in past years where needles and medical garbage were washing on beaches on the East coast regions of New York, New England, New Jersey and the Delmarva peninsula.

Why?

Because the oceans are considered untraceable waste-dumping locations where even other countries have waste dumped off near our waters. Even nuclear waste has been dumped off various shores internationally, as was the case with nuclear waste being found off the coast of Somalia. Can it happen here? Based on how waste management is a sordid mystery, it could easily be the case.

Additionally, agricultural run-off that goes into our waterways and beaches is another incredibly under-reported problem.

The Eastern Shore that covers land from Maryland and Virginia within the Chesapeake Bay area is more impacted from agricultural run-off than any future offshore drilling off the Virginia coast (with the Land Lease 220) could ever do.

Why?

Because as the fight from environmental groups, the Navy, NASA and other interests fight against Land Lease 220 from ever getting to a point near 2030 when offshore oil/natural gas is online, the agricultural run-off that continues unabated will turn the Chesapeake Bay into our version of the Dead Sea.

Why focus more on offshore waste dumping and agricultural run-off than offshore drilling? Because the actual production of offshore drilling is way into the future if it even ever actually happens. The oil and natural gas industries have had open permits and leases on millions of drillable seabed acres for decades and they don't want to flood the market and get less profits as well as are looking at the risks of constantly repairing offshore rigs due to increased hurricane damage and other factors.

Offshore waste dumping and agricultural run-off are happening NOW.

I would HIGHLY recommend people who are concerned about beach pollution watch this incredible (and scary) Frontline report:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poisonedwaters/

[zulchzulu]

1. Why the fuck would people unrec this?

I know.

It's because perhaps they can't handle the truth?

Bingo!

[SwampG8r]

2. i recced it back cause it is the damn truth

i live 1200 feet from the atlantic ocean 27 miles south of a cruise ship terminal
i get up most days and stroll my beach and i am constantly picking up trash from the cruise ships
when we complain they just pay the fines

you are speaking the absolute freaking truth