Funded by the Legislature, Washington Conservation Corps has created two specialized crews to hire returning military veterans for beach cleanup work.

The crews are based in Pierce County to survey the state’s coastline and remove marine debris from shorelines.

Veteran workers also will clean up backcountry beaches that are difficult for volunteer crews to reach, will provide volunteer event coordination and will be available for cleanup of debris deposited on the coast from the 2011 Japan tsunami, if needed.

State funding for the all-veteran cleanup crews covers crew time, some training, travel and disposal costs.

Crews are available for free to coastal entities such as state parks, cities, counties and nonprofits that are part of a coastal preservation or conservation organization.

Those interested in hiring the crews should contact Stephanie Jackson, Veterans and Project Coordinator with the Washington Conservation Corps, atswer461@ecy.wa.gov.