The bridge pontoon, a remnant of an old construction project that was once a temporary section of Interstate-90 near Seattle, had been in Neah Bay for 30 years.  The fifteen broken down and derelict vessels have been abandoned and accumulated in the Makah Marina in the time since.

Those pieces of large marine debris finally came out of the water this summer, as part of a multi-million dollar effort by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Makah Tribe, and the NOAA Marine Debris Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  Between June and November, the removal included:

tons of vessel debris sent to landfill

tons of recycled metal from vessels

gallons of liquid hydrocarbons from vessels

tons approximate weight of sunken pontoon bridge

The work is going to have an immediate impact.  The derelict structures and vessels were not just eyesores in the harbor; they negatively impacted the operations of the Makah Marina, one of the economic engines of the town. The Makah Marina supports Tribal fisheries, community wellbeing, cultural customs, and recreation and tourism, all of which rely on clean water, thriving fisheries, and navigational safety.

“Removing this debris not only revitalizes our marina and preserves our environment but also strengthens the cultural and economic pillars of our community,” said Chairman Timothy J. Greene Sr., of the Makah Tribal Council. “This effort demonstrates the impact of partnerships rooted in respect for our natural resources and shared commitment to sustaining our way of life for future generations.”

Over the years, the Makah Marina in Neah Bay, which is just outside of Olympic Coast NMS, hosted Tribal, commercial, and recreational fishing activities. Abandoned vessels have accumulated in the marina due to such issues as economic downturns in the fishery, aging of the fishery fleet, or disabled vessels from elsewhere towed ashore by the Coast Guard from nearby waters.

Joel R. Johnson, president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, said, “We are proud to partner with the Makah people and the NOAA Marine Debris Program to accomplish the monumental task of clearing the large debris from Neah Bay and restoring the splendor of the harbor. When we do this work, we empower the community to sustain their way of life and create future opportunities.”

Every year, millions of tons of debris and derelict vessels litter our ocean and Great Lakes, releasing toxic chemicals while threatening wildlife and habitats, ecosystems and economies, the food web, and human health.

The large marine debris targeted by the Foundation, the National Marine Sanctuary System, and partners negatively impacts sensitive habitats and cultural traditions, creates navigational hazards, and endangers wildlife and economic prosperity across five national marine sanctuaries and two Tribes’ ancestral waters.

“We are proud to support these large and impactful marine debris removals,” said Andrew Mason, Pacific Northwest Regional Coordinator and Pacific Team Lead for the NOAA Marine Debris Program. “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has allowed our partners to address legacy debris, such as the bridge segment, which has blemished tribal waters for decades. We join the Makah Tribe and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in celebrating this historic milestone.”