Proceedings of the Great Lakes Land-Based 

Marine Debris Workshop

NOAA Marine Debris Program

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

U.S. Department of Commerce

Technical Memorandum NOS-OR&R-47

December 2013
PROCEEDINGS OF THE GREAT LAKES LAND-BASED 

MARINE DEBRIS WORKSHOP

May 22-23, 2013

Cleveland, OH, USA

Sarah Opfer1,2 (ed.)

1

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Office of Response & Restoration

NOAA Marine Debris Division

Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA

2

Earth Resources Technology, Inc.

Laurel, MD 20707, USA

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Technical Memorandum NOS-OR&R-47

December 2013

This document should be cited as follows:

Opfer, S.E. (ed.). 2013. Proceedings of the Great Lakes Land-Based Marine Debris 

Workshop. May 22-23, 2013. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-OR&R-47.

For copies of this document, please contact:

NOAA Marine Debris Division

N/ORR, SSMC-4

1305 East-West Highway

Silver Spring, MD 20910

www.MarineDebris.noaa.gov
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May 22-23, 2013

Contents

Background..................................................................................................................3

Workshop Structure .....................................................................................................6

Results..........................................................................................................................8

Goals........................................................................................................................8

Objectives & Potential Action Strategies................................................................9

Next Steps..................................................................................................................13

References..................................................................................................................14

Appendix I – Workshop Agenda ...............................................................................15

Appendix II – Participant List....................................................................................18

Appendix III – Presentation.......................................................................................20

Appendix IV – Full Text Great Lakes Land-based Marine Debris Strategic Plan ....28
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May 22-23, 2013

Background

Marine debris is defined as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed 

and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into 

the marine environment or the Great Lakes. While perhaps more commonly thought of as 

an oceanic problem, the Great Lakes region, with its complex system of habitats, wetlands, 

rivers, and tributaries, is an area that is also affected by debris. In the Great Lakes, marine 

debris affects the beauty of our environment, is a health and safety hazard, threatens our 

wildlife and natural resources, and comes at an economic cost. From a beach covered in 

trash to an animal entangled in fishing line, marine debris is a problem we cannot ignore. 

Debris in the Great Lakes ranges from trash and litter items which are small in size to large 

abandoned and derelict vessels. Marine debris is generally classified into two broad 

categories of sources: ocean or lake-based and land-based. Ocean or lake-based debris are 

those materials that may be dumped, swept, or blown off both commercial and fishing 

vessels, as well as any stationary platforms at sea. Land-based debris is generated on land 

and may be blown, swept, or washed out to sea. This includes debris from littering, 

dumping in rivers and streams, storm water discharges, poor waste management practices, 

and industrial losses during production, transportation, and processing. Beach and 

shoreline cleanups like those conducted by the Adopt-a-BeachTM program typically target 

this type of debris. 

Land-based marine debris in the Great Lakes is largely monitored by volunteers in the 

Adopt-a-BeachTM program, organized by the Alliance for the Great Lakes. This cleanup 

Ontario

Figure 1. Map of the Great Lakes Basin. Credit: EPA.gov
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effort began in 1991 and now operates year-round. Data gathered on the type and amount 

of debris that is collected is entered into an online database. This data can be exported to 

the public and other agencies for use in monitoring marine debris. Along with marine 

debris monitoring, volunteers collect information on beach health.

In 2011, Alliance for the Great Lakes collected 595 litter monitoring forms for entry into 

the database. Initial results indicate that 48 percent of the land-based debris collected by 

volunteers is food-related items such as food wrappers/containers, beverage containers, 

bags, eating utensils, etc. The second highest category of items collected during these 

cleanups in 2011, at 41 percent, was smoking-related and included cigarette filters, 

lighters, cigar tips, and tobacco product packaging. 

Other items of interest included a significant collection of balloons and balloon strings, as 

well as firework debris. Balloon strings are significant because one of the most notable 

types of impacts from marine debris is wildlife entanglement. Entanglement can lead to 

injury, illness, suffocation, starvation, and even death. Adopt-a-BeachTM volunteers in the 

Great Lakes record wildlife entanglements and have found several instances of wildlife 

entangled in balloon strings as well as monofilament fishing line and rope.

A subtype of land-based marine debris that is of growing interest is plastic pellets, used in 

plastic manufacturing. These plastic pellets are often referred to as “nurdles” and are 

considered a type of microplastic. Microplastics are debris particles that are composed of 

primarily synthetic particles and are less than five millimeters in size (Arthur et al. 2009). 

Plastic pellets typically enter the environment through accidental losses such as spillage of 

plastic resin pellets during production, transportation, and processing. Other sources of 

microplastics include the breakdown of larger plastic pieces through weathering and 

abrasion, and also potentially from use in personal care products.

Western University in Ontario has done some research into the distribution of plastic, 

including these pellets, by collecting data from beaches, wetlands, and boat landings along 

the shorelines of Lakes Huron. Initial results from this study indicate that most plastics in 

the Great Lakes are composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene 

terephthalate. Plastic pellets were found primarily on the southern Canadian beaches of 

Lake Huron, with the Sarnia Beach area having the highest amount of plastic pellets. 

Researchers speculate that this is likely due to current patterns in Lake Huron (Zbyszewski 

and Corcoran 2011). Further investigation is needed to determine the extent and 

distribution of these plastic pellets on the shorelines of the other Great Lakes, as well as 

their potential impacts to the region.

Besides being an eyesore and degrading the aesthetics of coastal environments, land-based 

marine debris typically impacts humans and the environment in several ways. In addition 

to entanglement, wildlife can also ingest land-based marine debris, whether through the 

item being mistaken for food or the animal’s accidental ingestion with natural food items. 

Debris ingestion may lead to loss of nutrition, internal injury, intestinal blockage, 

starvation, and death.
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Humans are also impacted by land-based marine debris. Human health and safety becomes 

a concern with unsanitary forms of marine debris, such as medical waste, as well as 

encounters with unsafe types, such as broken glass. Economic impacts are increasingly a 

concern. These impacts are felt by those whose livelihoods are linked to the water, yet in 

many cases, the costs remain unknown. Less commonly considered are the impacts to 

navigation through the blockage of intake valves on boats and the ability of debris to 

transport alien or invasive species.

The marine debris community in the Great Lakes first came together at a one-day 

convening hosted by the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL on July 22, 2011. Through 

a NOAA Office of Education grant, the Shedd Aquarium worked with the NOAA Marine 

Debris Program and the Alliance for the Great Lakes to bring together a diverse group to 

discuss the issues related to marine debris in the region. Participants identified a number 

of issues associated with Great Lakes debris, then grouped them into nine broad categories 

and prioritized them for action. One of the top-tier issues they identified was the need to 

further refine the scope of the problem and to better define what is currently known on 

debris issues. In an effort to move forward with the results from the workshop in July 

2011, the NOAA Marine Debris Program coordinated a follow-up two-day workshop on 

December 1-2, 2011. 

At the Great Lakes Marine Debris Workshop in December of 2011, NOAA and other federal 

and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations worked to develop a collective 

vision statement for a regional action plan, further define the state of knowledge on landbased debris, derelict fishing gear, and sawmill debris, and identify knowledge gaps (Opfer 

2011). Land-based debris discussions centered on data collected by the Alliance for the 

Great Lakes, as well as Western University in Ontario. The final vision and mission 

statements for the framing of a future action plan were refined post-workshop by a small 

working group and are as follows:

Vision Statement: The Great Lakes, its coasts, people, and wildlife are free from the 

impacts of marine debris.

Mission Statement: The Great Lakes will be free from marine debris through an 

increased understanding of the problem, preventative actions, reductions in impacts, 

and collaborative efforts of diverse groups.

Recognizing that marine debris is a global problem, the wider marine debris community 

came together at the 5th International Marine Debris Conference in 2011 and developed the 

Honolulu Strategy. This strategy document is a framework document and is intended to be 

used as: 1) A planning tool for developing or refining spatially or sector-specific marine 

debris programs or projects; 2) A common frame of reference for collaboration and sharing 

of best practices and lessons learned; and 3) Monitoring tool to measure progress across 

multiple programs and projects (NOAA and UNEP 2011). As such, the Honolulu Strategy

was used as guidance for this Great Lakes workshop.
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Workshop Structure

Following the December 2011 workshop, it was evident that there is more known about 

land-based marine debris in the Great Lakes than all other classifications or types. To 

further efforts to address this debris type and meet our vision and mission statements, a 

workshop and series of follow-up webinars were held to develop a strategic action plan. 

Participants included NOAA, other federal and state agencies, local groups, academic 

institutions, and non-governmental organizations. Some stakeholders participated via 

webinar at the workshop.

Workshop Objectives:

• Develop realistic goals and objectives to address land-based marine debris in the 

Great Lakes. At the conclusion of the workshop, groups engaged in land-based

marine debris issues in the regions will have the ability to use the publicized goals 

to prioritize their own internal plans and make significant headway in addressing 

this issue.

• Initiate the brainstorming of actions to meet developed goals and objectives. These 

draft actions will be further refined and organizations will have the opportunity to 

commit to actions at follow-up meetings.

• Connect federal agencies, states, tribal nations, and non-governmental organizations 

in the Great Lakes region to identify potential opportunities for collaboration 

related to marine debris. 

• Regionally support and contribute to the Honolulu Strategy, specifically Goal A: 

Reduced amount and impact of land-based sources of marine debris introduced into 

the sea; & Goal C: Reduced amount and impact of accumulated marine debris on 

shorelines, in benthic habitats, and in pelagic waters.

The two day workshop was held May 22-23, 2013 in Cleveland, OH at the City of 

Cleveland’s Sustainability Office and hosted by the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the 

Alliance for the Great Lakes, and Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve

(NERR) (see Appendix I agenda, and Appendix II participants). The workshop was 

facilitated by Heather Elmer from Old Woman Creek NERR.

The beginning of the first day included a review of national marine debris issues and in the 

Great Lakes, with particular focus on land-based marine debris, background information on 

the Honolulu Strategy, an overview example of a marine debris action plan from the state of 

Hawaii (NOAA 2010), and a review of past meetings and our current step in the strategic 

and action plan development process.

Participants then walked through the strategic planning process with the use of a NOAA job 

aid (NOAA 2013). In preparation for the first round of small group work, the group 

reviewed goal statements and received background what they are, why groups have them, 

and some examples (Appendix III).
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The largest portion of the first day was spent on developing goals for the land-based debris 

strategic plan. Participants were divided into breakout groups of 4-6 people and were 

instructed to follow Job Aid 2: Goal Development Worksheet (NOAA 2013). Each group 

member filled out the worksheet to the best of their ability, and included information on 

audience, the particular niche for their organization, and a list of outcomes each 

organization is working toward. The small groups then discussed these worksheets and 

developed draft goals from the commonalities and unique ideas. 

Groups were then brought back together to report out and analyze similarities and 

differences between the goals developed by the breakout groups. Goals were synthesized 

or merged and each draft goal was discussed. At the end of the discussion, a dot poll was 

conducted to determine which goals were fully supported or potentially the most 

important to focus on during the remaining workshop time. To achieve this, everyone in 

the room was given 12 sticky dots and instructed to put them next to whichever goals they 

support. Those participants participating via webinar were asked to gauge their support 

through an online poll.

At the end of the first day, participants were able to visit Flotsam & Jetsam, two new boats

used by the Port of Cleveland to remove floating debris from the Cuyahoga River and the 

downtown Cleveland Lake Erie shoreline. Both boats have the ability to scoop or crane 

debris, which is then placed in onboard disposal containers. The debris collected is then 

transferred to sites along the shore for pickup. It is a unique way to remove land-based 

debris in the community.

Figure 2. Workshop participants viewing the Port of Cleveland cleanup vessels. 

Credit: NOAA MDP
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During the second day of the meeting, goals were reviewed from the day before and SMART 

(Specific Measurable Audience Realistic Time-bound) objectives were defined with 

examples. Participants were then broken up into three groups and assigned a goal from 

the day before. Each group was tasked in developing SMART objectives for their assigned 

goal. On this day, objectives were only developed for goals 1-3. Objectives for goals 4 and 5 

were developed at two follow-up webinars on July 9 and 30, respectively. Developed 

objectives for each goal were discussed, moved, and refined where necessary.

Lastly, workshop participants were given the opportunity to brainstorm potential action 

strategies under each objective. These action strategies are the specific steps that 

organizations could undertake to achieve the objective and goal. Draft actions will be 

further discussed and expanded upon at a future meeting.

The workshop finished with a discussion on next steps. Goals 4 & 5 webinars were 

tentatively scheduled and a timeline was presented for the completion of the land-based 

debris plan.

Results

Goals

There were five themes that were in the draft goals from the first day’s breakout groups. 

These themes included: behavior change, research, removal, collaboration, and policy. The 

goals were refined and structured around these five themes.

The following goals were developed and refined to address land-based marine debris in the 

Great Lakes:

Goal 1: Knowledge gaps are identified and filled through research and monitoring of landbased marine debris.

Goal 2: A science-based and strategic approach is used to guide land-based marine debris 

policy and management decisions in the Great Lakes.

Goal 3: Land-based marine debris is prevented and reduced through an educated and 

involved community.

Goal 4: The impacts of land-based marine debris are reduced through removal and 

tracking efforts.

Goal 5: Strategic partnerships are developed to add value and invest resources to address 

Great Lakes land-based marine debris.

Results of polling indicated that Goal 3 was of highest priority for participants and Goals 1, 

2, and 4 also ranked strongly. Goal 5 scored the lowest in the poll.
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Objectives & Potential Action Strategies

The following objectives and potential actions were drafted under each of the above goals. 

Potential action strategies will be further refined at future meetings.

Goal 1: Knowledge gaps are identified and filled through research and monitoring of landbased marine debris.

• Objective 1: By the end of 2015, develop a platform for researchers to collaborate on 

Great Lakes marine debris research.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Create a web-based repository/forum to identify funding 

opportunities, problems, etc. This would include international 

opportunities.

 Examine existing platforms to determine future use

 Identify user preferences of the research community

 Examine feasibility of different options

 Explore use of the NOAA MDP Clearinghouse as a platform

• Objective 2: By 2015, convene researchers to foster partnerships and collaboration

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Examine venues and opportunities (ex. conferences, non-marine 

debris opportunities, etc.)

 Set up round-table webinars

 Identify the expertise that should be involved and target for inclusion

 Connect with global marine debris community through NOAA

 Identify a potential lead/convener

 Identify potential funding sources for any in-person convening.

• Objective 3: Over the next five years, create summary documents of existing research 

on land-based marine debris and key data gaps for research community.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Engage Great Lake management communities to help prioritize 

relevant research topics.

 Identify potential funding sources

 Identify a lead for the effort

 Publish results in peer-reviewed literature

 Complete synthesis of all land-based debris literature globally

 Assess existing synthesis papers

 Identify potential collaborators on the paper(s)

• Objective 4: Through 2018, ensure data collection consistency and quality assurance 

by multiple users.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Share recommended standardized protocols

 Identify and compare protocols that are already in use

 Develop quality assurance standards

 Identify obstacles or challenges within quality assurance
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 Establish training opportunities or resources to share across 

organizations.

• Objective 5: Through 2018, engage Great Lakes management communities to 

prioritize and foster implementation of relevant research topics.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Identify appropriate communities and platforms for communication

 Identify which spatial scale is effective

 Identify problems that could be addressed/researched from

management input

 Find a leader or collaborators on the efforts

 Inform research community and funding sources of manager needs

Goal 2: A science-based and strategic approach is used to guide land-based marine debris 

policy and management decisions in the Great Lakes.

• Objective 1: By the end of 2016, create summary document of existing land-based 

marine debris policies and management systems in the Great Lakes.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Develop surveys for agencies/organizations to identify those policies 

that are related to marine debris/litter

 Identify funding sources and fellowship/graduate programs that 

could support the activity. Might be good for law student intern.

 Evaluate the summary to identify potential target/weak areas and 

those that are successful.

• Objective 2: Share the developed land-based marine debris action plan with policy 

and management community upon its completion.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Present action plan at relevant conferences

 Identify relevant management and policy stakeholders

Goal 3: Land-based marine debris is prevented and reduced through an educated and 

involved community.

• Objective 1: By 2018, develop a social marketing plan, including 10 communication 

products to address land-based marine debris in the Great Lakes.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Evaluate effectiveness and impact of existing programs (ex. recycling, 

etc.) and littering behavior on national and regional level

 Evaluate different communication methods

 Identify funding sources and resources as well as team to lead

 Perform public-opinion research/focus groups

 Identify social scientists at universities to collaborate with

 Review existing research on public opinions/values in the Great Lakes 

(ex. Biodiversity Project)

 Conduct targeted research to understand barriers

 Design & implement programs to achieve behavior change using 

compiled information and research results.
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 Create a summary of current marine debris status and trends in the 

Great Lakes for public and policy makers

 Develop a handout for local sewer/water districts to include in bills

 Develop a short public service announcement

 Create a twitter account for Flotsam and Jetsam

 Develop social networking tools

 Investigate and make connections to those organizations that work on 

beach health (ex. impact brochure).

 Storm drain stenciling/stickers with messaging

 Investigate magnetic messaging or sand graffiti

• Objective 2: Conduct 5 informal education activities on land-based debris per year, 

per lake, to the general public.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Coordinate with a Beach Ambassador Program

 Organize an annual Boat Float

 Community stops during research cruises

 Coordinate outreach events with area museums or aquariums (ex. 

visiting scientist)

 Put up displays at local fairs

 Connect with media outlets (ex. weather forecasts)

• Objective 3: Conduct 5 formal education activities per year, per lake to targeted 

audiences.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Host regional webinars for education/outreach professionals

 Coordinate with other existing programs and resources (Keep 

America Beautiful – Litter in Place, Hi-Cone Ring Leader Program, 

Great Lakes in My World)

 Host a teacher workshop or class at Stone Laboratory

 Present at teacher in-service days at schools

 Identify funding sources for field trips

• Objective 4: By the beginning of 2015, conduct a needs assessment for education 

(formal & informal) to inform the Great Lakes outreach community.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Identify target audiences

 Inventory what is currently available

 Create a repository or share existing information

 Engage target audiences

 Use assessment to identify collaboration and network opportunities 

to identify gaps and program and regional needs.

• Objective 5: By the end of 2015, launch 1 awareness campaign for Great Lakes 

communities regarding land-based marine debris.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Develop consistent messaging

 Identify partnership opportunities

 Evaluate existing campaigns that could be leveraged
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 Engage a marketing expert to assist in the development of the 

campaign

 Develop a brand

Goal 4: The impacts of land-based marine debris are reduced through removal and 

tracking efforts.

• Objective 1: By 2018, bi-nationally record and report count and weight (in tons) of 

land-based marine debris removed from Great Lakes shorelines by volunteer 

programs.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Investigate Canadian volunteer program reporting

 Gather beach grooming data

 Engage International Joint Commission

 Identify centralized organization that will coordinate and host data

• Objective 2: By 2018, develop and publish recommendations or best practices for 

removing land-based marine debris.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Investigate similarities between, and use of existing methods.

 Identify lead organization

 Incorporate land-based marine debris best management practices 

into Clean Marina guide

• Objective 3: Within 5 years, target removal efforts towards land-based marine debris 

items or types that are expected to have the greatest impact or which are most 

abundant in number.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Investigate and identify debris quantities and impacts

 Work with sewer treatment plants on designing catchment for 

microplastics

 Partner with industry on targeted removal projects

• Objective 4: Review and prioritize storm water control practices at 5 municipal 

districts in the Great Lakes by 2018.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Train storm-water professionals on land-based marine debris impacts 

and removal options

 Include stormwater groups in future meetings

 Investigate what information is available and if it is already tracked

 Engage Ohio Coastal Training Program to assist

• Objective 5: Create a natural disaster preparedness plan for land-based marine 

debris in the Great Lakes within 5 years.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Review lessons-learned from Hurricane Sandy

 Review preparedness plans from other regions

 Coordinate with Coast Guard and FEMA
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• Objective 6: By 2018, remove 200 tons of land-based marine debris from Great Lakes 

environments.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Understand current baseline of land-based marine debris removed by 

volunteers (ex. ICC, Adopt-a-Beach)

 Identify funding opportunities and potential projects

Goal 5: Strategic partnerships are developed and maintained to add value and invest 

resources to address Great Lakes land-based marine debris.

• Objective 1: Within 5 years, identify and secure new partners and resources that 

may have a role in addressing land-based marine debris in the Great Lakes

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Create a dynamic inventory list and keep it up to date

 Follow-up with identified partners to engage

 Identify linkages and contacts in non-traditional industries

 Develop regular communication platforms

• Objective 2: Through 2018, identify and work through existing partnerships, 

networks, and resources to address land-based marine debris in the Great Lakes.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Promote successful partnerships, networks, etc.

• Objective 3: Over the next 5 years, develop two strategic partnerships to address

potential sources of land-based marine debris.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Investigate partnership opportunities for product material changes as 

well as disposal options (ex. recycling) of products

 Engage waste-management organizations

• Objective 4: Within the first 2 years of the plan, identify one national strategic 

partnership that can be adopted at the regional level.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Reach out to other regions to identify strategic partnerships

 Evaluate successes from other regions

Next Steps

At the end of the two-day workshop, a timeline for follow-up actions was presented. 

Because goals 4 & 5 were not discussed at this meeting, it was determined that objectives 

for these two goals would be developed in two follow-up webinars before the end of July. 

The completed first draft of these proceedings was scheduled for September.

The potential action strategies that came out of this workshop will be further refined into a 

formal action plan to address land-based marine debris in the Great Lakes at a workshop in 

December 2013 or January 2014. During this future workshop, organizations will commit 

to accomplishing specific actions strategies under each of the established objectives. For 
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each action strategy, partners and potential funding sources will be identified, cost and 

duration will be estimated, and a lead organization will be named.

References

Arthur, C., J. Baker and H. Bamford (eds). 2009. Proceedings of the International Research 

 Workshop on the Occurrence, Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine Debris. Sept 9-11, 

 2008. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-OR&R-30.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Coastal Services Center. 2013. Writing 

Your Strategic Plan: Social Science Tools for Coastal Programs. Social Science Workbook 

Series.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Marine Debris Program. 2010. Hawaii 

Marine Debris Action Plan. Honolulu, HI. Prepared by TetraTech EMI (Contract No. 

WC133F-04-CQ-0003).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Marine Debris Program and United 

Nations Environmental Program. 2011. The Honolulu Strategy: A Global Framework for 

Prevention and Management of Marine Debris.

Opfer, S.E. (ed.). 2012. Proceedings of the Great Lakes Marine Debris Workshop. December 

1-2, 2011. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-OR&R-40.

Zbyszewski, M. and P.L. Corcoran 2011. Distribution and degradation of fresh water plastic 

particles along the beaches of Lake Huron, Canada. Water Air Soil Pollut. 220: 265-372.
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Appendix I – Workshop Agenda

Great Lakes Land-Based Debris Workshop

May 22-23, 2013

Sustainable Cleveland Center

230 W. Huron Road, Suite 100.31, Cleveland, OH 44113

Objectives & Outcomes: 

• Develop realistic goals and objectives to address land-based debris in the Great 

Lakes. At the conclusion of the workshop, groups engaged in land-based debris 

issues in the region will have the ability to use the publicized goals to prioritize their 

own internal plans and make significant headway in addressing this issue.

• Initiate the brainstorming of actions to meet developed goals and objectives. These 

draft actions will be further refined and organizations will have the opportunity to 

commit to actions at follow-up meetings.

• Connect federal agencies, states, tribal nations, and non-governmental organizations 

in the Great Lakes region to identify potential opportunities for collaboration 

related to marine debris. 

• Regionally support and contribute to The Honolulu Strategy. The Honolulu Strategy 

sets forth a results-oriented framework of action with the overarching international 

goal to reduce impacts of marine debris over the next 10 years. Outcomes of this 

workshop will specifically support Goal A: Reduced amount and impact of landbased sources of marine debris introduced into the sea; & Goal C: Reduced amount 

and impact of accumulated marine debris on shorelines, in benthic habitats, and in 

pelagic waters.

Target Audience: Representatives from federal, state, tribal, and nongovernmental 

organizations directly involved in marine debris activities in the Great Lakes, including 

those with expertise on land-based debris.

Facilitators: Sarah Opfer, Jamie Cross, Heather Elmer

May 22 Sustainable Cleveland Center, Suite 100.31

8:30 – 9:00am Registration & Breakfast

9:00-9:45am

Welcoming remarks and introductions

• Intros

• Venue logistics

• Ground rules

• Review agenda and meeting objectives
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9:45 – 10:45am Marine Debris – Big Picture and Background 

on Previous Efforts – Sarah Opfer & Jamie Cross

10:45 – 11:00 am BREAK

11:00 – 11:30am Strategic Plan Overview and Background –

Heather Elmer

11:30am –

12:15pm Introduction to Developing Goals

12:15 – 1:30 LUNCH – On-Site

1:30 – 2:45pm

Developing Goals

• Develop a list of goals which will fit 

achieve our mission and vision.

2:45 – 3:00pm BREAK

3:00 – 3:15pm Developing Goals Cont. - Voting

3:15 – 4:00pm Check In and Wrap Up

4:00pm Adjourn

5:00pm Dinner (Place TBD)

May 23 Sustainable Cleveland Center, Suite 100.31

8:00 – 8:30am Breakfast 

8:30 – 9:00am Recap of Day 1

9:00 – 10:00am

Defining Objectives

• Introduction to developing objectives 

• Development of objectives under each 

goal.

10:00 – 10:15 BREAK
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10:15 – 11:30

Defining Objectives Cont.

• Report out of objectives

• Discussion & refinement

11:30 – 12:00 General Check-in

12:00 – 1:00 LUNCH

1:00-2:00

Action Development/Brainstorm

• Brainstorm list of actions to achieve 

objectives

2:00-2:15 BREAK

2:15 – 3:30 Action Development/Brainstorm Cont. & Next 

Steps

3:30-4:00

Wrap-up

• Evaluation and final check-in
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Appendix II – Participant List

Todd Breiby

Coastal Nonpoint and Education Coordinator

Wisconsin Coastal Management Program

101 East Wilson Street, 9th floor

PO Box 8944

Madison, WI 53708

608-261-6349

todd.breiby@wisconsin.gov

Keith Christman

Managing Director, Plastics Markets

American Chemistry Council

700 2nd Street NE

Washington DC 20002

202-249-6610

Keith_christman@americanchemistry.com

Patricia Corcoran

Associate Professor

Department of Earth Sciences

Western University in Ontario

1151 Richmond St.

London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7

1-519-661-2111 x.86836

pcorcor@uwo.ca

Jamie Cross

Adopt-a-BeachTM Manager

Alliance for the Great Lakes

41 Washington Ave., St. 280D

Grand Haven, MI 49417

616-850-0745 x12

jcross@greatlakes.org

Brenda Culler

Public Information Officer, Internet and Education 

Coordinator

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Office of 

Coastal Management

105 West Shoreline Drive

Sandusky, OH 44870

419-626-7980 x4100

Brenda.culler@dnr.state.oh.us

Nate Drag

New York Outreach Coordinator

Alliance for the Great Lakes

PO Box 1172

Buffalo, NY 14213

716-261-9393

ndrag@greatlakes.org

Heather Elmer

Ohio DNR, Division of Wildlife

Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research 

Reserve

2514 Cleveland Road East

Huron, OH 44839

419-433-4601

Heather.elmer@dnr.state.oh.us

Joan Eaglesham

Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation

eaglejo@me.com

Tova Handelman

Ocean Trash Scientific Intern

Ocean Conservancy

1300 19th St. NW, Suite 800

Washington D.C. 20036

202-280-6288

thandelman@oceanconservancy.org

Julie Hoganson

Recycling Coordinator/Marketing Associate

Hi-Cone

1140 W. Bryn Mawr

Itasca, IL 60143

630-438-5208

jhoganson@hi-cone.com

Nancy Hughes

Sustainability, Compost & Recycling Coordinator

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

3900 Wildlife Way

Cleveland, OH 44109

206-661-6500 x4508

neh@clevelandmetroparks.com

Cathi Lehn

Program Manager

Cuyahoga River Community Planning Organization

1299 Superior Ave. E.

Cleveland, OH 44114

216-241-2414 x307

clehn@cmnh.org
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Hyle Lowry

Ohio Outreach Coordinator

Alliance for the Great Lakes

PO Box 552

Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

216-630-8140

hlowry@grealakes.org

Lorena M. Rios Mendoza

Assistant Professor

Department of Natural Sciences/Chemistry

University of Wisconsin-Superior

Belknap and Catlin, PO Box 2000

Superior, WI 54880

715-394-8205

lriosmen@uwsuper.edu

Kristen Mitchell

Research Associate

University of Waterloo

Earth and Environmental Science

200 University Ave W

Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1

1-519-888-4567 x31327

Kristen.mitchell@uwaterloo.ca

Sarah Opfer

Great Lakes Regional Coordinator

NOAA Marine Debris Program

240 W. Lake St. - Unit C OSU Extension

Oak Harbor, OH 43449

419-898-3631

sarah.opfer@noaa.gov

Dianna Parker

Legislative and Communications Specialist

NOAA Marine Debris Program

1305 East-West Hwy

Silver Spring, MD 20910

301-713-4248 x103

dianna.parker@noaa.gov

Joe Prada

Marketing Assistant

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

FirstEnergy Powerhouse

2000 Sycamore St.

Cleveland, OH 44113

216-862-8803

jprada@greaterclevelandaquarium.com

Philena A. Seldon

Outreach and Education Coordinator

Mayor’s Office of Sustainability

230 W. Huron Rd., Suite 100.31

216-664-2801

pseldon@city.cleveland.oh.us

Stephanie Swart

AOC Coordinator

Office of the Great Lakes, Michigan Department of 

Environmental Quality

525 West Allegan, P.O. Box 30473

Lansing, MI 48909-7973

517- 335-6721

swarts@michigan.gov

James White

Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Programs

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority

1375 E Ninth Street, Suite 2300

Cleveland, OH 44114

216-377-1337

James.white@PortofCleveland.com

Kim Winslow

Resource Planning Analyst

Ohio Sea Grant/Stone Lab

1314 Kinnear Rd., Area 100

Columbus, OH 43212

614-292-8949

Winslow.52@osu.edu
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Appendix III – Presentation
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Appendix IV – Full Text Great Lakes Land-Based Marine Debris Strategic Plan

Vision Statement: The Great Lakes, its coasts, people, and wildlife are free from the impacts of 

marine debris.

Mission Statement: The Great Lakes will be free from marine debris through an increased 

understanding of the problem, preventative actions, reductions in impacts, and collaborative efforts 

of diverse groups.

Goal 1: Knowledge gaps are identified and filled through research and monitoring of land-based marine 

debris.

• Objective 1: By the end of 2015, develop a platform for researchers to collaborate on Great Lakes 

marine debris research.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Create a web-based repository/forum to identify funding opportunities, problems, 

etc. This would include international opportunities.

 Examine existing platforms to determine future use

 Identify user preferences of the research community

 Examine feasibility of different options

 Explore use of the NOAA MDP Clearinghouse as a platform

• Objective 2: By 2015, convene researchers to foster partnerships and collaboration

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Examine venues and opportunities (ex. conferences, non-marine debris 

opportunities, etc.)

 Set up round-table webinars

 Identify the expertise that should be involved and target for inclusion

 Connect with global marine debris community through NOAA

 Identify a potential lead/convener

 Identify potential funding sources for any in-person convening.

• Objective 3: Over the next five years, create summary documents of existing research on landbased marine debris and key data gaps for research community.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Engage Great Lake management communities to help prioritize relevant research 

topics.

 Identify potential funding sources

 Identify a lead for the effort

 Publish results in peer-reviewed literature

 Complete synthesis of all land-based debris literature globally

 Assess existing synthesis papers

 Identify potential collaborators on the paper(s)

• Objective 4: Through 2018, ensure data collection consistency and quality assurance by multiple 

users.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Share recommended standardized protocols

 Identify and compare protocols that are already in use

 Develop quality assurance standards

 Identify obstacles or challenges within quality assurance
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 Establish training opportunities or resources to share across organizations.

• Objective 5: Through 2018, engage Great Lakes management communities to prioritize and foster 

implementation of relevant research topics.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Identify appropriate communities and platforms for communication

 Identify which spatial scale is effective

 Identify problems that could be addressed/researched from management input

 Find a leader or collaborators on the efforts

 Inform research community and funding sources of manager needs

Goal 2: A science-based and strategic approach is used to guide land-based marine debris policy and 

management decisions in the Great Lakes.

• Objective 1: By the end of 2016, create summary document of existing land-based marine debris 

policies and management systems in the Great Lakes.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Develop surveys for agencies/organizations to identify those policies that are 

related to marine debris/litter

 Identify funding sources and fellowship/graduate programs that could support the 

activity. Might be good for law student intern.

 Evaluate the summary to identify potential target/weak areas and those that are 

successful.

• Objective 2: Share the developed land-based marine debris action plan with policy and 

management community upon its completion.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Present action plan at relevant conferences

 Identify relevant management and policy stakeholders

Goal 3: Land-based marine debris is prevented and reduced through an educated and involved 

community.

• Objective 1: By 2018, develop a social marketing plan, including 10 communication products to 

address land-based marine debris in the Great Lakes.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Evaluate effectiveness and impact of existing programs (ex. recycling, etc.) and 

littering behavior on national and regional level

 Evaluate different communication methods

 Identify funding sources and resources as well as team to lead

 Perform public-opinion research/focus groups

 Identify social scientists at universities to collaborate with

 Review existing research on public opinions/values in the Great Lakes (ex. 

Biodiversity Project)

 Conduct targeted research to understand barriers

 Design & implement programs to achieve behavior change using compiled 

information and research results.

 Create a summary of current marine debris status and trends in the Great Lakes for 

public and policy makers

 Develop a handout for local sewer/water districts to include in bills

 Develop a short public service announcement
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 Create a twitter account for Flotsam and Jetsam

 Develop social networking tools

 Investigate and make connections to those organizations that work on beach health 

(ex. impact brochure).

 Storm drain stenciling/stickers with messaging

 Investigate magnetic messaging or sand graffiti

• Objective 2: Conduct 5 informal education activities on land-based debris per year, per lake, to the 

general public.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Coordinate with a Beach Ambassador Program

 Organize an annual Boat Float

 Community stops during research cruises

 Coordinate outreach events with area museums or aquariums (ex. visiting scientist)

 Put up displays at local fairs

 Connect with media outlets (ex. weather forecasts)

• Objective 3: Conduct 5 formal education activities per year, per lake to targeted audiences.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Host regional webinars for education/outreach professionals

 Coordinate with other existing programs and resources (Keep America Beautiful –

Litter in Place, Hi-Cone Ring Leader Program, Great Lakes in My World)

 Host a teacher workshop or class at Stone Laboratory

 Present at teacher in-service days at schools

 Identify funding sources for field trips

• Objective 4: By the beginning of 2015, conduct a needs assessment for education (formal & 

informal) to inform the Great Lakes outreach community.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Identify target audiences

 Inventory what is currently available

 Create a repository or share existing information

 Engage target audiences

 Use assessment to identify collaboration and network opportunities to identify gaps 

and program and regional needs.

• Objective 5: By the end of 2015, launch 1 awareness campaign for Great Lakes communities 

regarding land-based marine debris.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Develop consistent messaging

 Identify partnership opportunities

 Evaluate existing campaigns that could be leveraged

 Engage a marketing expert to assist in the development of the campaign

 Develop a brand

Goal 4: The impacts of land-based marine debris are reduced through removal and tracking efforts.

• Objective 1: By 2018, bi-nationally record and report count and weight (in tons) of land-based 

marine debris removed from Great Lakes shorelines by volunteer programs.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Investigate Canadian volunteer program reporting

 Gather beach grooming data
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 Engage International Joint Commission

 Identify centralized organization that will coordinate and host data

• Objective 2: By 2018, develop and publish recommendations or best practices for removing landbased marine debris.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Investigate similarities between, and use of existing methods.

 Identify lead organization

 Incorporate land-based marine debris best management practices into Clean Marina 

guide

• Objective 3: Within 5 years, target removal efforts towards land-based marine debris items or 

types that are expected to have the greatest impact or which are most abundant in number.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Investigate and identify debris quantities and impacts

 Work with sewer treatment plants on designing catchment for microplastics

 Partner with industry on targeted removal projects

• Objective 4: Review and prioritize storm water control practices at 5 municipal districts in the 

Great Lakes by 2018.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Train storm-water professionals on land-based marine debris impacts and removal 

options

 Include stormwater groups in future meetings

 Investigate what information is available and if it is already tracked

 Engage Ohio Coastal Training Program to assist

• Objective 5: Create a natural disaster preparedness plan for land-based marine debris in the Great 

Lakes within 5 years.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Review lessons-learned from Hurricane Sandy

 Review preparedness plans from other regions

 Coordinate with Coast Guard and FEMA

• Objective 6: By 2018, remove 200 tons of land-based marine debris from Great Lakes 

environments.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Understand current baseline of land-based marine debris removed by volunteers 

(ex. ICC, Adopt-a-Beach)

 Identify funding opportunities and potential projects

Goal 5: Strategic partnerships are developed and maintained to add value and invest resources to 

address Great Lakes land-based marine debris.

• Objective 1: Within 5 years, identify and secure new partners and resources that may have a role in 

addressing land-based marine debris in the Great Lakes

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Create a dynamic inventory list and keep it up to date

 Follow-up with identified partners to engage

 Identify linkages and contacts in non-traditional industries

 Develop regular communication platforms

• Objective 2: Through 2018, identify and work through existing partnerships, networks, and 

resources to address land-based marine debris in the Great Lakes.
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o Potential Action Strategies:

 Promote successful partnerships, networks, etc.

• Objective 3: Over the next 5 years, develop two strategic partnerships to address potential sources

of land-based marine debris.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Investigate partnership opportunities for product material changes as well as 

disposal options (ex. recycling) of products

 Engage waste-management organizations

• Objective 4: Within the first 2 years of the plan, identify one national strategic partnership that can 

be adopted at the regional level.

o Potential Action Strategies:

 Reach out to other regions to identify strategic partnerships

 Evaluate successes from other regions
Penny Pritzker

United States Secretary of Commerce

Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan

Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere

Dr. Holly A. Bamford

Assistant Administrator, National Ocean Service