Seal Beach approves MOU with Los Angeles County and The Ocean Cleanup to pursue San Gabriel River trash projects
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Summary
The council unanimously approved an MOU to partner with Los Angeles County and The Ocean Cleanup on future San Gabriel River trash‑mitigation projects, following presentation of a posted feasibility study and assurances that LA County would handle operations and maintenance for any future project.
Seal Beach’s City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 12 to authorize a memorandum of understanding with Los Angeles County and The Ocean Cleanup to pursue future trash‑mitigation projects in the San Gabriel River watershed.
Shane Silsbee, CEO of Silsbee Strategic Advisors and project manager for the initiative, explained that the feasibility study — posted at www.sgrcleanup.com — identifies 15–17 candidate locations and evaluates environmental and hydraulic considerations. The study includes stakeholder input and flagged wildlife concerns such as sea turtles; the feasibility phase is complete and the MOU is intended to enable future permitting coordination, data‑sharing and interagency collaboration for a project to be developed later.
Silsbee said Los Angeles County has indicated it would take on operations and maintenance for a future project if the county signs the MOU. The Ocean Cleanup, an international technical and funding partner, would implement selected projects after appropriate environmental review and community outreach.
Council members asked whether upstream cities would share financial responsibility; Silsbee said current technical work cannot apportion precise shares but that advanced camera and AI technologies may help approximate sources and inform future cost allocation. The council approved the motion to proceed with the MOU by unanimous roll call.
A feasibility study is now publicly available and staff will coordinate with partnering agencies on next steps; implementation would require permits, environmental review and subsequent project authorization.
