Murkowski to Conduct Tsunami Debris Aerial Survey
Senator Flying Over Gulf of Alaska to Witness Problem First-Hand
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Lisa Murkowski will join United States Coast Guard District 17 leadership this weekend and participate in a fly-over of the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound to investigate the rising levels of debris along Alaska’s shores due to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.
“Before the debris began to close in on our shores, I held a tsunami debris roundtable in January to explore what is out there and whether the material poses any threat to Alaskans,” said Murkowski. “While it was reassuring to hear that health risks are minimal, our waters are our culture and a major part of our economy. I want to see the reality with my own eyes and hear what is out of the ordinary, so we can craft the most responsive policies to address it.”
Senator Murkowski will travel to Cordova on Saturday, visit the Coast Guard Island Guard Aviation Facility and then conduct an aerial survey of Prince William Sound with Admiral Thomas Ostebo and Air Station Kodiak Commanding Officer Captain William Deal.
Any Alaskan who sees tsunami debris is encouraged to report it to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration at DisasterDebris@noaa.gov.
Senator Murkowski finds debris during a February trip to Yakutat.
# # #
