State and Federal Leaders Launch Investigations into Oil Spill Response

State and Federal Leaders Launch Investigations into Oil Spill Response

On Monday, Senate President pro Tem Don Perata announced that he would introduce legislation to improve state efforts to fund oil spill prevention and response. The Senator also chastised the Governor for failing to appoint enough members to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board. Baykeeper spoke in support of quickly filling the empty Regional Board seats with environmentally minded appointments so that the Board can properly enforce the Clean Water Act against the Cosco Busan polluters.

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein, and Olympia Snowe convened a briefing in the U.S. Senate where they raised questions about the federal response to the oil spill. Baykeeper testified about the ways in which spill response after the accident failed. Our on-the-ground efforts were a key part of the hearing discussions.

Today, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock and Members of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources convened an emergency oversight hearing on the spill. Baykeeper was once again asked to provide expert insight into how the spill response failed. We made it clear that rejecting the help of thousands of volunteers in such an emergency is unacceptable.

Also today, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger launched a full statewide investigation into the causes of the spill and sent a letter to state legislative leaders calling upon lawmakers to start looking at possible policy changes to prevent spills of this magnitude and greater from occurring again.

Baykeeper greatly appreciates the efforts of our leaders to make sure this type of environmental disaster doesn't happen again. Most importantly, we will work with them along the way to make sure they keep their promises.

Baykeeper’s Walk the Docks Project
Local boaters who wash Cosco Busan bunker fuel off their recreational boats or other watercraft may contribute to the spread of toxins throughout the Bay. Even in small amounts, the oil can be toxic to aquatic life, and cleaning solvents may also contain chemicals and other pollutants that can harm the environment. We’ve developed a guide to green cleaning in the aftermath of the Cosco Busan spill. This weekend, Baykeeper volunteers will walk the docks to spread the word to marinas and boaters.

Volunteer Trainings and Shoreline Cleanups
You must participate in an official training to legally help out with beach cleanups. No pre-registration is required, but show up early because space is limited.

San Francisco
Disaster Service Worker Volunteer Certification
Saturday, November 17
County Fair Building
9th Ave & Lincoln Ave in Golden Gate Park
One Training at 8am - noon and one at 1pm - 5pm

The City of San Francisco will be leading daily cleanups for trained workers - call 311 to find out where to go or visit http://www.sfgov.org/site/sf311_index.asp?id=70813.

For Friday cleanups, trained volunteers should check in at the red tent in the parking lot on Ocean Beach near Lincoln and the Great Highway.

Berkeley
Disaster Service Worker Volunteer Certification
Saturday, November 17
Berkeley Senior Center at 1900 Sixth St.
8am - Noon

For cleanup schedules, see http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Manager/busanoilspill.html or http://www.ebparks.org/node/538.

Half Moon Bay
Disaster Service Worker Volunteer Certification
Thursday, November 15
IDES Hall, 736 Main Street
5pm - 9pm

Saturday, November 17
IDES Hall, 736 Main Street
One training at 8am - Noon and one at 1pm - 5pm

For more info, visit smcalert.info

Many unofficial cleanups, which are not endorsed by Baykeeper, are being organized here http://sfoilspill.blogspot.com/ and here http://www.obviously.com/tech_tips/oil_spill_volunteer_instructions.html.

Oil Spill Response Fundraisers
Doc's Clock
Proceeds from select beer sales and donations accepted.
November 16
6 pm - 2 am
2575 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Bimbo's 365
Visit our table to make a donation.
Jose Gonzalez & Friends
plus Cass McCombs
November 25
Doors at 7 pm. Show at 8 pm.
Tickets are $22 in advance / $25 at the door.
21 & over are welcome

California Culinary Academy
$20 dinner tickets benefit Baykeeper.
November 30
5pm - 8pm
The Grill at 625 Polk St.
RSVP to Chef Steven Moore at (650) 348-2071

Email us at volunteer [at] baykeeper.org if you want to sponsor a fundraiser!

Please continue to contact friends to sign up for volunteer alerts or to make a donation to support San Francisco Baykeeper’s efforts out on the water to respond to this crisis.