San Francisco Bay Oil Spill


The November 2007 oil spill in San Francisco Bay sent 58,000 gallons of sticky, toxic bunker fuel spreading through the Bay and up the coast.  This is the largest oil spill in the Bay in more than a decade and a tragedy for the Bay and the fish and wildlife that live in it.  As reports of oiled birds and beaches flooded in, agencies and the community grappled with the magnitude of the damage and how to help.

As of three weeks after the disaster an estimated 21,500 birds perished from the disaster. Many of the bird species most affected are considered at-risk species. Tar balls and oiled birds continue to wash ashore as cleanup crews work seven days a week to restore the coastline. Bands of volunteers scour the shoreline for injured birds and wildlife. Unfortunately, federal and state wildlife officials decided not to focus clean up efforts on the Farallon Islands, a federal bird sanctuary, due to lack of available resources.

The East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) passed a resolution to direct the Park District Staff to spearhead an interagency East Bay task force to coordinate long term oil spill recovery and remediation. Task force invitees to include all East Bay jurisdictions affected by the spill, e.g.: Alameda, Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley, Albany, Richmond, Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, and other interested and affected parties, as deemed appropriate. Please contact EBRPD with questions about the task force: 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757).

 

 

Thank You...

We witnessed an outpouring of concern and support from residents who want to help the Bay and its wildlife. A small silver lining in this tragedy is the passionate response from so many residents and the tremendous energy focused on protection and cleanup. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication.

 


Stay Involved

In East Bay: www.helpnow.org

In San Francisco and San Mateo Counties: www.thevolunteercenter.net

In Marin County: www.cvnl.org

Oiled Wildlife Care Network:
(415) 701–2311

East Bay Regional Parks District Hotline:
(510) 544-2201


 


For more information...

Oil Spill Updates: