ORANGE BEACH — The City of Orange Beach is set to vote on an agreement for a “Marine Debris Project” with the goal of removing trash and planting coastal vegetation within the city.

The city will complete the project by partnering with the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP), a nonprofit that works to preserve, restore, improve and maintain natural ecosystems within bays, estuaries and watersheds of Pensacola Bay, Perdido Bay and other local bodies of water.

According to the agreement document, Orange Beach received a $35,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The PPBEP resources and staff required for the project will be paid for by this grant.

The document states PPBEP will coordinate 60 volunteers at a one- or two-day event for the Marine Debris Project. The agreement does not mention how volunteers can register or when registration will open.

Volunteers will collect trash using PPBEP’s “Trash Free Waters Program.” According to the PPBEP website, this program collects data on possible sources of litter in waterways to “strategically target litter prevention efforts.” This program will also provide educational materials for community outreach to residents and visitors.

Volunteers will also work to plant 1,500 marsh plants in Orange Beach. The plants and supplies required to plant them will be paid for by the NFWF grant.

The Marine Debris Project event is scheduled to take place sometime this year in the spring, summer or fall. The agreement states the project must be completed before the last day of 2025.

The agreement document states, “the city council has determined that the provisions are in the best interest of the City of Orange Beach.”

While this project partnership was presented at the May 6 city council meeting, it is set to be voted on at the May 20 meeting where it will become effective immediately if approved.