This is just one post in the Other Oceans & Beaches Stories Category

State panel floats ‘litter tax’ to curb debris along coast

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 1, 2008 at 1:09 pm

From the San Diego Union Tribune:

The influential California Ocean Protection Council has proposed an attack on everyday threats to sea life, including a ban on some popular take-out food containers and fees on plastic and paper bags. The panel, which advises the governor and lawmakers, also recommended imposing upfront charges on other packaging commonly left on beaches, such as snack-food bags and candy wrappers. This so-called litter tax also would extend to cigarettes because so many butts are extinguished in the sand.

“We’re putting it out and teeing up the public conversation,” said Mike Chrisman, a member of the council and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Cabinet secretary on natural resource issues.

The proposals must be enacted by the Legislature, which has balked at tax increases and defeated a bill last year to tack a charge on plastic bags at the checkout counter. There’s also stiff resistance from powerful business interests warning of higher costs during the economic downturn. Makers of plastics said they are taking voluntary steps to cut waste.

Chrisman’s voice is significant because he has a reputation for advocating cautious, business-friendly approaches. But he is convinced that stronger action is imperative to gradually reduce the use of plastic bags and polystyrene take-out containers. “We have to deal with it,” he said.