Saturday Update:
Agencies' Spill Response Not Enough!

Wednesday’s 58,000 gallon oil spill from a container ship collision with the Bay Bridge continues to disperse and most local beaches, including those on Angel Island, have been closed. San Francisco Baykeeper has been out on the Bay every day documenting the spreading oil slicks, surveying struggling wildlife and assessing the cleanup efforts.

Three days after the major oil spill, and more than a day after the Governor declared unlimited state funds to motivate the cleanup, oil slicks were floating on the open Bay unboomed. We watched harbor seals sticking their noses up through the fuel to breathe. The O'Brien Group, the private cleanup crew in charge, told us that they had no hotline, no procedure to handle information collected about major oil slicks, and no more resources to spend on cleanup efforts. The Cosco Busan has been transferred to the Port of Oakland, continues to reek of fuel, and its 100-foot-gash remains uncovered and exposed to the elements.

You are one of thousands of people who have offered to mobilize, get trained, get equipped and hit the beaches in a synchronized response effort. Unfortunately, the agencies simply aren’t coping with the outpouring of volunteers.  Baykeeper has launched a campaign to turn Governor Schwarzenegger’s emergency order into real resources for the effort – even more oil-skimming ships, citizen cleanups, and volunteer trainings – before it’s too late.

We’ll continue to send you alerts as opportunities to get involved arise. If you are interested in trying to get into a wildlife rehabilitation training session, you should keep an eye on the Oiled Wildlife Care Network’s website. As of 4 PM today, they have recovered 270 live birds and 134 dead birds. 

Just Announced: City of San Francisco Cleanup
Sunday, Nov. 11 at 9:30 AM
Meet up at Heron's Head Park (intersection of Jennings Street and Cargo Way)
Volunteers are needed to check on wildlife sanctuaries in the inner San Francisco Bay that have been less affected by the oil spill but that still need our support. Join in the effort to pick up debris and report stressed birds and hazards.

For your own security, please be careful around fuel oil and wear protective gear.  It can be hazardous to humans as well as wildlife.  Also please be warned that citizens are being cited for unauthorized cleanup activities. The agencies should be prosecuting the polluters instead of arresting citizens. We will be working to refocus their efforts toward creating safe ways for citizens to make a difference.

We'll be in touch in the upcoming days with more volunteer alerts.  Unfortunately, it looks like we may be in clean up mode for the long haul because this spill’s impacts will continue to worsen.  It’s going to take all of us to make it right. You can count on us to be out on patrol watchdogging the cleanup effort and working to make sure polluters are held accountable.

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.