Photo By Lt.j.g. Drew Verbis | 211102-N-QK571-1414 (Nov. 02, 2021) SAN NICOLAS ISLAND, Calif. – Thirty-eight...... read more read more
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SAN NICOLAS ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) – Thirty-eight Sailors and five civilians assigned to Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) volunteered to clean-up trash and marine debris swept onto Tender Beach located on the Northwest side of San Nicolas Island (SNI) onboard NBVC, Nov. 2, 2021.
SNI is located within Ventura County, sixty-five miles offshore, south of NBVC, Point Mugu, California. It is the most remote of the Channel Islands and transferred to the Navy Oct. 1, 2004.
On a beach usually covered with Northern elephant seals in the winter, the now seasonally vacated beach flanked with steep dunes covered in native succulents and shrouded in a fine sea mist, the SNI marine debris clean-up team arrived to the roar of waves striking the sand. Trash bags were distributed, and gloves donned, before walking onto the beach to see this season’s marine debris challenge.
“Sailors are not ordered to participate in the beach cleanup but rather demonstrate the spirit of volunteerism in keeping with their core values of honor, courage and commitment,” said Cdr. Keith “Fudge” Buckingham, officer in charge, SNI. “NBVC has a long tradition of engagement programs that foster community service and protects the environment while also increasing public awareness and understanding of America's Navy.”
Despite the remote and pristine location, the windward facing beach collects the bulk of marine debris floating along the white-capped sea until it is deposited on these isolated sandy shores. Accumulated debris is then blown even further inland to the feet of the dunes by the incessant and powerful Westerly winds, dressing the mysterious dunes into a less flattering resemblance of a fence snagged with wind-blown plastic.
“As you can imagine, operating from a remote island provides many unique logistic challenges,” said Buckingham. “Additionally, beaches are typically closed throughout the year for seasonal wildlife habitation and mating purposes. We are operating within a small window of opportunity which will ultimately provide a healthier environment to our native wildlife population. This is a special relationship, and our Sailors are grateful to engage, no matter how difficult the challenge.”
In the fall of every year, Team SNI goes to accessible beaches and cleans the year’s collection of marine debris. Marine debris on beaches heavily used by wildlife need to be cleaned of manmade hazards to prevent wildlife entanglement.
“This year we had a partially filled 55-gallon drum of marine oil land ashore,” said William Hoyer, natural resource manager, NBVC. “The origin of the drum was not from the Navy, but as the stewards of this land it is important to remove these hazards from the beach.”
Team SNI marched through several beaches, filling dozens of trash bags, and truck beds, returning austere beauty to the beach.
“This season, Team SNI was able to clean Tender, Red-Eye, Coast Guard, and Daytona beaches, collecting a total of 1,817 pounds of marine debris,” stated Hoyer. “Much of the weight each year comes from derelict commercial fishing gear, single use plastics, pressure treated lumber, and some legacy Navy debris. Last year’s totals were similar, providing evidence for a continuing incoming flow of debris off the waves of the Pacific.”
“Taking time away from our work, to remove accumulated marine debris washed onto the shore provides perspective about the unique and wonderful opportunity we have to work on such a beautiful island,” said Buckingham. “And with that perspective, it is important to unite as a community to protect and give back to the island.”
Remote islands off the California coast are precious and few in number and the Navy is fortunate to be stewards of this one. With programmatic commitments such as this, the Navy can continue to demonstrate that the military mission and environmental stewardship can be met in tandem, all while letting the Northern elephant seal enjoy a clean beach to haul-out on.
“Sailors and civilians assigned to SNI recognize the long-standing history and unique environmental sensitivities of the island,” said Capt. Kirk Lagerquist, chief staff officer, NBVC. “The mission isn’t simply picking up trash, it’s more involved, it’s more serious, this is about participating in preservation. This is one example of the Navy demonstrating commitment to good stewardship of San Nicolas Island.”
NBVC is home to Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, San Nicolas Island, Laguna Peak, the Pacific Coast Seabees, the West coast Hawkeyes, 3 warfare centers, and 80 tenants. It is the largest employer in Ventura County and actively protects California’s largest coastal wetlands through its award-winning environmental programs.
| Date Taken: | 11.24.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.24.2021 12:22 |
| Story ID: | 410012 |
| Location: | SAN NICOLAS ISLAND, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 498 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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