Oil Spill Update - Heeeeeeere's Carole

Here's the latest on the Bay Area oil spill, courtesy of State Senator Carole Migden...

Dear Friend:

In an effort to keep you current on clean-up activities related to last Wednesday’s devastating 58,000 gallon bunker fuel spill into the San Francisco Bay, here is the third in a series of informational e-alerts:

Volunteer Opportunities Tomorrow: November 17th

Volunteer Haz Mat Oil Spill Trainings: Saturday, November 11/17/07
One will be held from 8AM-Noon and another from 1PM-5PM

As part of an ongoing effort to clean up beaches in San Francisco, the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (DEM) in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Department of Fish and Game, and with other local City agencies is offering two four-hour trainings on Saturday, November 17th - these trainings include mandatory instruction and safety guidelines related to handling hazardous waste materials.

After completion of the training, volunteers will be provided a Disaster Service Worker identification badge and will be eligible to join future organized beach cleanups for the current oil spill.

Location: County Fair Building, Hall of Flowers
(Lincoln Way & 9th Ave., entrance to Golden Gate Park)
San Francisco, CA 94122

Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

For more information about volunteering, please contact:

- The Volunteer Center: www.thevolunteercenter.net
- San Francisco Customer Service Center: Dial 3-1-1

MUNI Information to the Hall of Flowers:

44 O’Shaughnessy
N Judah
71 Noriega
43 Masonic
6 Parnassus

The First Rehabilitated Oiled Birds Are Released
An official bird release--the first since the spill occurred—was scheduled to take place today at 3 p.m. at Half Moon Bay. Over 1,700 oiled birds have been recovered since the spill: 888 live birds and 830 dead birds have been reported by the Oiled Wildlife Center.

Crab Season and Fishing Update
Though Gov. Schwarzenegger had previously declared that the Dungeness crab season be delayed until Dec. 1, the San Francisco Chronicle reported today that the state’s Department of Fish and Game has announced that large portions the Dungeness grounds will be left open to both sport and commercial fishermen. Closed waters stretch between San Mateo County’s Pedro Point and Marin’s Point Reyes within three nautical miles of the coastline. It also closed to fishing and crabbing all bay waters west of the Carquinez Bridge.

Oil Spill Clean-up Stats
Here are the latest stats on spill clean-up efforts:

-More than1,400 people continue to participate in spill response
-16,420 gallons of oil have been collected.
-4,060 gallons of oil have evaporated (estimated)
-53 vessels are working to remediate the spill
-3 helicopters are surveying the area
-Oiled wildlife count - LIVE BIRDS – 888 -DECEASED BIRDS - 830

Beach Cleanup Status Report
These percentages are of the gross amount of product recovered. Once this number reaches 100 percent, it does not guarantee the beach will open. The cleanup of the beaches needs to be certified by local, state, and federal authorities. Clean up of beaches is progressing with the following completion estimates.

Marin County
Rodeo Beach – 95 percent
Muir Beach – 95 percent
Stinson/Bolinas Beach – 70 percent
Angel Island – 45 percent
RCA Beach – 100 percent
Agate – 100 percent
Horseshoe Cove – 40 percent
Kirby Cove – 100 percent

San Francisco
Fort Funston – 100 percent
Baker Beach – 100 percent
China Beach – 100 percent
Pier 1-39 – 100 percent
Crissy Field – 100 percent
Aquatic Park Seawall – 75 percent
Ocean Beach – 60 percent

San Mateo
Pacifica Pier - 100 percent

Contra Costa
Richmond Marina – 5 percent
Brooks Island – 50 percent

Alameda
Albany Beach – 45 percent
Radio Tower - 60 percent
Emeryville - 15 percent
Berkeley Marina – 25 percent

Updated Contact Numbers

Claims hotline – (866) 442-9650
Reporting oiled wildlife – (415) 701-2311
Reporting oil sightings – (415) 398-9617


... wait, wait, wait... what was that about crab season again???