Project abstract north carolina sea grant will organize and lead a coalition of partners, and engage a diverse group of stakeholders, in an effort to curb the amount of marine debris coming from…

Project abstract north carolina sea grant will organize and lead a coalition of partners, and engage a diverse group of stakeholders, in an effort to curb the amount of marine debris coming from highly urbanized areas of the piedmont into the lower neuse river and pamlico sound. Together, we will conduct research and develop and test litter reduction strategies directed at limiting stormwater conveyed trash. We will investigate land-based litter in urban areas, as well as human attitudes and behaviors that contribute to these sources; document the transport of this debris to downstream waters; and evaluate approaches for preventing both direct and inadvertent litter from entering the stormwater system. This project will focus on the neuse river basin and will engage local governments, non-profit organizations and citizen groups including the city of raleigh, sound rivers INC., the great raleigh cleanup, wake county, N.C. State university (NCSU), and neighborhood residents. Our efforts will be focused in the marsh creek watershed, which is located in the upper neuse river basin. Trash will be cataloged and inventoried from three locations in the marsh creek watershed using in-stream trash capture devices. Visual counts of floating debris will also be recorded during high flows in marsh creek. Grab samples of water will be collected and analyzed for microplastics. Comparing data from the subwatersheds will aid in identifying target areas for innovative behavioral surveys, education and cleanup efforts. A behavioral study will be implemented in the marsh creek watershed to gauge opinions and perceptions about littering. Trash reduction interventions will be developed and tested in one target subwatershed of marsh creek. Pre- and post-campaign trash data, along with observation of and surveys of people in the target subwatershed will aid in determining the success of the interventions. Trash data from one other control subwatershed without interventions will be compared to create a paired study approach. Finally, a toolkit of recommendations for strategies, behavioral interventions and messaging that work for specific audiences will be prepared and shared with watershed groups, environmental groups, and municipalities throughout the region.