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Fishing from the shore this weekend, I was struck by the sheer amount of man-made refuse dotting our beaches. This trash plague has invaded coastlines from Connecticut to California and in many cases is the byproduct of carelessly disposed litter many miles from the coast.
It’s important to understand exactly how this complex network works, so let’s see how a can on Route 7 is able to make its way to the Long Island Sound.
Miles from the beach, tossing an empty soda on Main Avenue can seem like nothing more than harmless littering. However, as an approaching storm’s winds kick up, the can flies into the street. As rain begins to accumulate, runoff water streams downhill. The lightweight can is easily picked up and quickly disappears into one of Norwalk’s many storm drains.
Unlike the water in our sinks, the contents of storm drains are left untreated. There is no screening process, no refinement plant to make sure harmful toxins are left behind. What goes in the storm drains is deposited directly into our waterways.
In this can’s instance, the Norwalk River is the closest depository. Once sitting harmlessly in a parking lot, the trash has traveled downstream with the rising river. Eventually, the can makes its way to the mouth of the Norwalk River and enters Long Island Sound. Walking along the beach days after the storm, the very can from the parking lot is sitting among the rocks and shells.
Unfortunately, many people are completely unaware of the link between our storm drains and the surrounding ecosystem. Sadly, these grates have become a depository for household cleaners, pesticides, and other toxins. Although sometimes miles from the beach, what goes in storm drains directly effects the entire Long Island Sound ecosystem. This drainage is why swimming at our local beaches is strongly discouraged in the days immediately following heavy rains.
A simple to way to severely reduce the harm we do to our beautiful beaches is to dispose of trash properly. Recycle plastics and metal, throw cleaners and other home repairs in the trash, and avoid the temptation to use storm drains as a massive “pour and forget” dumpster.
Nobody looking for a relaxing day at the beach wants to tiptoe around bags and bottles. By simply finding the nearest trash or recycling bin, we can help fight the trash invasion plaguing our shores.
John Haffey Jr. is a Norwalk resident and Long Island Sound enthusiast and has navigated and fished Coastal Connecticut for years.
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