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Farmer to step down as ORCCA director Will continue to serve on Coos Bay City Council ty," Kaufman stated. Farmer reported that he plans to stay in the community he grew up in and continue his work on the Coos Bay City Council. "It seemed a like a good time to step back and look at what I'm doing and decide what I'm going to do next," Farmer said. "What I do next will probably involve some time off and perhaps doing some consulting work, and perhaps help other agencies that have problems to stabilize." Kaufman assured that she and other representatives from ORCCA’s Board of Directors were dedicated to guiding and supporting ORCCA staff through this transition. "We are thankful for Mr. Farmer’s dedication, passion, and enthusiasm he has given ORCCA over the past year. We wish him the best of luck as he leaves to pursue other professional career opportunities," Kaufman said. Farmer said he was ﬁrst attract-

BY BREE LAUGHLIN The World

Oregon Coast Community Action’s Executive Director Drew Farmer recently announced his resignation from his position. Deputy Director Alexis Barry will be serving as the interim executive director for the organization. "We are left in great and capable hands, and the work for creating positive change for thriving communities will continue," said Oregon Coast Community Action (ORCCA) Board Chair Tamie Kaufman. It was with a "heavy heart and gratitude," Kaufman announced Farmers' departure. "Throughout Mr. Farmer’s time served with ORCCA, he has helped lay some groundwork for leading ORCCA through a period of growth and development. His dedication to helping people in need has not only had a profound effect on ORCCA, but it will also serve him well in his future endeavors, including his continued work for our communi-

Please see FARMER, Page A2

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Drew Farmer announced recently that he was stepping aside as the executive director of ORCCA but will continue to serve on the Coos Bay City Council.

Hoyle working to bring shipping port to Coos Bay BY BREE LAUGHLIN The World

Just months into her new role in Congress, Democrat Representative Val Hoyle visited Coos County to connect with voters, speak at local schools and update the community on her progress in Washington D.C. During her visit, she told The World newspaper staff that bringing the Paciﬁc Coast Intermodal Project into fruition is at the forefront of her priorities. She said it would transform the Port of Coos bay into a major distribution hub and provide solutions for serious issues in the supply chain. “It can reduce the supply chain congestion on the West Coast from 10 to 12 percent,” Hoyle said. Hoyle describes the project as a local issue of national importance and a “game changer” for the Coos community. Locally, she said the project could employ about 8,000 jobs within Coos, Douglas and Lane counties. Hoyle, along with Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, issued a joint statement in January of this year, expressing disappointment that the Port of Coos Bay’s major funding request of $1.25 billion for the project was not

Photo by David Rupkalvis/For The World

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle talks to students at Marshfield High School while visiting Coos County last week. Hoyle told the students her top priority in Congress was to get funding to bringing a shipping facility to the Port of Coos Bay.

Please see HOYLE, Page A2

Microplastics increase as U.N. signs ocean treaty worldwide production of plastic is now 1 trillion pounds a year, with production predicted to more than triple by 2050. Less than 10% of the plastic ever produced has been recycled, with the remaining 90% ending up in landfills, incinerated or washed directly into rivers and ocean. These plastics eventually break down into smaller and smaller particles, called microplastics. These tiny plastic particles are eaten by microscopic marine animals called zooplankton, and fish larvae consume these plastic particles when they eat the zooplankton. Microplastics have been found in shellfish, such as clams, crabs and mussels. Some seabirds are suffering from the

BY BOB ATIYEH Country Media

The worldwide production of plastic has increased rapidly over the past two decades, and there are now an estimated 82 to 358 trillion plastic particles floating in the top 12 inches of the world's oceans, or an estimated average of 21,000 pieces of ocean plastic for each one of the 8 billion people on earth. Researchers found that the amount of plastic in the world's oceans began to skyrocket around 2005, reflecting the exponential increase in plastic production, with the amount doubling about every 6 years. The increase in ocean plastic reflects the increase of plastic found on the world's beaches. The

Please see PLASTIC, Page A3

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In Oregon and around the globe, the amount of plastic being seen on beaches and in the ocean is increasing.

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