Stone's Clean Ocean Bill Passes Committee Vote

Contributed by the Office of Mark Stone:

Legislation designed to provide a comprehensive solution to the plastic debris that threatens the California coastline has passed a key Assembly policy committee. AB 521, authored by Assemblymember Mark Stone, whose district includes Capitl.a, and Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), was approved by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on a 5-3 vote.

“Plastic trash hurts our oceans and beaches in a significant and permanent way. It also wastes taxpayers’ money, burdens local governments – and is a preventable cause of pollution,” said Stone. “This bill will address the problem at its source.”

AB 521 requires producers of plastics that pose significant risks to the marine environment to develop and implement a plan to reduce the amount of those plastics that end up in the ocean. The bill sets specific dates by which certain reduction targets must be met.

“Plastic trash is a serious pollution problem that threatens the health of many ocean animals including seabirds, turtles, and marine mammals. We applaud Mr. Hueso and Mr. Stone for their commitment to strengthening California's leadership in ocean conservation," said Aimee David, Director of Ocean Conservation Policy at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

“The current laws intended to reduce marine pollution are failing. This is not only hurting California’s environment but also our economy,” said Senator Hueso.  “We need a new approach to accomplish our recycling and litter reduction goals. This legislation will help us achieve those objectives.”

According to a 2011 report commissioned by the California Ocean Protection Council, between 60 and 80 percent of ocean debris comes from land-based sources, and up to 80 percent of that litter is plastic.

AB 521 reflects Stone’s long standing commitment to protecting California’s coastal resources. In addition to the bill, Stone will lead as the Chair of the newly convened Assembly Select Committee on Coastal Protection.

While serving as a Santa Cruz County Supervisor, Stone led the local effort to ban plastic bags and polystyrene in the county, reducing litter and protecting the local and marine environment.