Hawaii Officials Make Plans for Debris Clean-Up

Officials in Hawaii are making plans to spend $100,000 for marine debris clean-up.

That figure includes $50,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a $50,000 matching grant from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

NOAA provided grants of $50,000 to each of the five Western states expected to be affected by debris from the 2011 tsunami in Japan.

Laura McIntyre, with the state health department, said officials are finalizing a solicitation to beach clean-up groups and nonprofits. The solicitation is expected to go out in February, with hopes of funding at least four groups.

McIntyre says Hawaii usually sees an increase in marine debris reaching its shores during the winter. The goal is to spend the funds on clean-up activities by the end of next summer.