Shoreline Cleanup
The Council has an approved a shoreline cleanup policy to cover all aspects of pollution and remediation of the coastline usually following certain events.
On the right of this page you will find links to pages covering disposal of whales, the aftermath of wrecks on the coastline and litter and marine debris. This information is retained here to provide information for scholars and classroom exercises, as there is little information on the web dealing with these type of incidents.
The decision matrix resulting from approval of the policy is reproduced below.
MATERIAL |
LEGAL POWERS | POLICY |
RECOMMENDED ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|
Oil Related |
|||
| Free Oil | Shetland Anti Oil Pollution Scheme Harbour Oil Spill Plans (Policy - Section 1.1 Pg7 |
Maintain current arrangements. Refer to Anti-Oil Pollution Officer | |
| Oiled Beaches/Coastline | Shetland Anti Oil Pollution Scheme. (Policy - Section 1.1 Pg7) |
Survey and assessment of severity and risk assessment of practicality of removal and environmental impact of removal prior to any decision. Severe oiled areas dealt with as per Oil spill plans. Refer to Anti-Oil Pollution Officer. | |
| Tar Balls | Local Government & Planning (Scotland) Act 1982 Section 25 (2) Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Sect 122 Environmental Protection Act Section 81(3)(4) |
Non Defined | Generally do not pose a major public health significance. Some tar balls are extremely soft and sticky and can cause significant fouling of coastline and have a major amenity impact. Assessment of incidents of fouling will be carried out and judgement made on individual merits. |
| Oil Contaminated Materials (General Litter, Seaweed etc.) | Local Government & Planning (Scotland) Act 1982 Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 Section 84 (emergency or disaster) Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 81(3)(4) |
Non Defined | Potential for harm to livestock and considerable damage to public and property (wind blown oiled debris). Survey and assessment of practicality of removal prior to any decision. |
| Dead Animals | |||
| 1/ Seals/Sheep/Dogs | Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 81(3)(4) | Non Defined | Where the animal is in such a location as to be causing nuisance as defined by the legislation, the carcass will be removed or buried as appropriate |
| 2/ Whales etc.<46feet | Classed as "Fish Royal" and owned by the Crown. Responsibility of the Scottish Executive | Non Defined | Referred to The Scottish Executive |
| 3/ Whales etc.>46feet. | Local Government & Planning (Scotland) Act Section 25(2) Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Section 122 |
Non Defined | Where the animal is in such a location as to be causing nuisance as defined by the legislation, the carcass will be removed or buried as appropriate. |
| General Materials | |||
| Seaweed | Local Government & Planning (Scotland) Act Section 25(2) | Non Defined | Poses no public health threat or harm. Odour can be offensive where large quantities build up, but if not contaminated - no action. If contaminated by oil or medical wastes, an assessment will be made as to the removal of all material or separation of the contaminated element for removal. |
| Litter (Plastics, Packaging, Metals etc.) | Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Section 122 | Non Defined | Poses no public health threat but may cause significant risk to livestock. Materials floating offshore or re-floated on the tides could give rise to significant risk to small and medium sizes vessels. Survey and assessment of practicality of removal prior to any decision. If contaminated by oil or medical wastes, an assessment will be made as to the removal of all material or separation of the contaminated element for removal. |
| Medical Wastes (Syringes, Tablets etc.) | Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 81(3)(4) | Non Defined | Possibility of significant risk to members of the public. These materials and any debris containing them will be cleaned expediently. |
| Wood | Local Government & Planning (Scotland) Act Section 25(2) | Non Defined | Unless this type of material poses a threat by virtue of size or quantity to vessels or property - no action to be taken. If contaminated by oil or medical wastes, an assessment will be made as to the removal of all material or separation of the contamination. |
| Putrescible Waste | Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 81(3)(4) | Non Defined | Survey and assessment of public health nuisance and risk assessment of practicality of removal prior to any decision. If contaminated by oil or medical wastes, an assessment will be made as to the removal of all material or separation of the contamination. |
| Barrels or containers (with unknown contents) | Local Government & Planning (Scotland) Act Section 25(2) Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 Section 84 (emergency or disaster) |
Non Defined | Survey and assessment of public health risk and practicality of removal prior to any decision. If contents cannot be established, will be dealt with as special waste until contents can be categorically confirmed. Containers will be held at a special containment facility at Rova Head until identification and disposal is arranged. |
| Large Debris (Floats, Typhoons, fibreglass parts etc.) | ZCC Act Section 5(1)(a) if floating Local Government & Planning (Scotland) Act 1982 Section 25(2) if ashore Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Section 122 |
Non Defined | Unless this type of material poses a threat by virtue of size to vessels or property - no action to be taken other than notification to the coastguard. If the debris is ashore, assessment may be carried out as to securing the items to ensure that they do not refloat. |