Endangered bird could disrupt tsunami cleanup efforts

Endangered bird could disrupt tsunami cleanup efforts »Play Video
A derelict boat with Japanese writing on it is one of many items that have washed up on U.S. coastlines that may be tsunami debris but have not been confirmed as such. (Courtesy Ore. Bureau of Land Management)

COOS COUNTY, Ore. -- Protection of an endangered species could slow down tsunami debris clean up on parts of the Oregon coast.

State parks and tsunami debris clean up groups say in order to not disturb Snowy Plover nesting areas, they are limiting beach debris clean up to only big items like the large boats and docks that have washed up recently.

They say small items will not be dealt with until nesting season is over this fall, and you should also not pick up trash around nesting areas.

Calum Stevenson of the Oregon State Parks, said they do have crews that will do some cleanup work. "We do have beach rangers out there," he said. "They do have their pick ups, they will be allowed in there to pick up certain amounts of debris on the beach, not all of it however, because some of it will be closer to the nests and things like that."

Snowy Plover nesting season began last Friday.

Authorities say disturbing a nest could lead to a citation and fine.