Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Shares Impact of Litter Boom Pilot Project in Presque Isle Bay

In 2023 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful used funds from the Ocean Conservancy to collaborate with multiple organizations and businesses that make Lake Erie their home to pilot devices made to capture debris that makes its way into the water. 

The devices, known as litter control booms, are designed to limit the spread of trash and debris and corral floating littler so it can be collected and removed from the waterway. 

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful installed two booms at points of stormwater discharge in Presque Isle Bay at the property of Lakeshore Towing Services. 

The organization says interns from the Regional Science Consortium (RSC) at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center have been monitoring the sites, collecting trash and evaluating data. 

Data collected includes date, time, current and previous weather parameters, counts for various categories of litter, weight of materials removed, and water quality analysis including bacteria and presence of petroleum products such as gas and oil. 

According to Keep Pa. Beautiful, the litter booms have been successful in preventing litter from entering Presque Isle Bay so far. 

Data indicated that of the thousands pieces of litter captured by the litter booms, cigarette butt litter was the most prevalent, followed by foam pieces then plastic pieces. 

“Marine debris is a serious issue, not only locally, but globally. The data from this project will highlight the most common litter that enters our waterways and impacts our drinking water and sport fishery,” said Jeanette Schnars, Ph.D., Executive Director, Regional Science Consortium.

As a result of the pilot project, educational strategies will be developed to inform residents and visitors about the effects litter has on local industry, people and wildlife. 

Additionally, Keep Pa. Beautiful will be distributing portable ashtrays to adult tobacco users at various marinas along Presque Isle.