Volunteers help DEP map out waterfront pollution patterns

<p>A group of volunteers is mapping beach trash at 65 sites around New York in an effort to help the city Department of Environmental Protection keep track of pollution. </p>

News 12 Staff

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May 17, 2018, 12:44 AM

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Updated 2,165 days ago

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A group of volunteers is mapping beach trash at 65 sites around New York in an effort to help the city Department of Environmental Protection keep track of pollution.

"The beaches are a very important part of my life, and my family's life, and I want to do my part to preserve it," says Stephanie Rifkin, of Coney Island.

Like her, many of the volunteers live in waterfront communities.

"It's our ocean," says Chuck Reichenthal, of Marine Park. "It's our beach. It's our whole environment."

Joan Lerardi, of Fort Hamilton, says she's seen things like bed frames and mattresses washed up on the jetties.

The volunteers don't clean the beaches. They take note of what kind of litter is piling up. That information helps the DEP trace sources of pollution along certain waterways.

A separate group of volunteers then arrives for the beach cleanup.

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