Alaska Cleans Up Waste From 2011 Tsunami

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A massive cleanup effort is underway in Alaska, with tons of debris being airlifted from the shores and beaches, and transported to a barge for disposal. The buildup is due in large part to the 2011 Tsunami that hit Japan. Japan has agreed to pay $5 million to help in clean up efforts.

But Janna Stewart, tsunami marine debris coordinator for the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, says  the debris is concentrated in hard-to-reach coastlines that often cannot be easily accessed by road or water.

Check out some photos from the clean up below.

Barge with rubbage from Gore Point debris monitoring project.

(George Knowles for Gulf of Alaska Keeper)

Debris from Montague Island Outer Coast project.

(George Knowles for Gulf of Alaska Keeper)

Barge with rubbage.

(George Knowles for Gulf of Alaska Keeper)