Oregon sets up hotline to call in tsunami trash

SALEM – Oregon is creating an easy way to report Japanese tsunami debris that’s beginning to wash up on the Pacific coast.

The state is asking residents and visitors to call 211 to report their findings, Gov. John Kitzhaber announced Thursday at a news conference. Beginning today, the hotline will be staffed during business hours and will take recorded messages at other times.

“I just want to make sure that Oregonians understand that we are on top of this,” Kitzhaber said.

The governor also said Brig. Gen. Mike Caldwell, deputy director of the Oregon National Guard and interim director of the state’s Office of Emergency Management, will be responsible for coordinating the response and cleanup efforts among state agencies.

It’s important to quickly collect and throw away tsunami debris to keep beaches clean and prevent the introduction of invasive species, Caldwell said. Officials are asking that people not take home debris to keep as souvenirs, but they say there’s little chance of the debris being harmful to human health.

People should be especially mindful of items that might have sentimental value or personal significance to someone in Japan, officials said. When such items wash up, Oregon will work with the Japanese consulate to return them.

Oregon will work with California, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii to request money from the federal government to help with their efforts.