Cosco Busan Oil Spill in San Francisco Bay! Save The Bay

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COSCO BUSAN OIL SPILL

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On November 7, 2007, the Cosco Busan ran into a Bay Bridge tower in heavy fog, dumping more than 50,000 gallons of thick fuel oil into San Francisco Bay. Fouling 56 miles of shoreline and killing 3,000 birds, the spill was a tragedy. The outpouring of public concern following the spill proved how much the community loves our Bay and understands that a healthy Bay is vital for our quality of life and economy.

ARE WE BETTER PREPARED?

In the fall of 2008 the state legislature delivered a series of oil spill prevention and response bills to Governor Schwarzenegger. Although the Governor did sign several bills to increase oversight of Bay ship pilots, train emergency responders and volunteers, and improve communications when oil spills occur, he didn't do enough to protect the Bay and it remains vulnerable. The Governor vetoed key bills that would have required faster spill response, more pre-positioned equipment, and new technologies for cleanup and wildlife rehabilitation. Further, federal legislation requiring stronger ship hulls remains stalled in the US Senate.

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE BAY

Save The Bay remains committed to restoring wetlands and strengthening the health of the Bay, so wildlife has increased habitat for greater survival during such emergencies. Sign up to restore critical Bay habitat. Employee groups are encouraged to volunteer during the week. Contact Natalie LaVan, natalie@saveSFbay.org (510) 452-9261 x109.

Shocking, but true: cars are a bigger source of oil in our waters than oil spills. Learn how you can protect the Bay from these impacts.

Save The Bay accepts contributions to our BAY EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND for unanticipated and urgent developments that threaten San Francisco Bay. This fund enables us to provide rapid response in a crisis, gather and distribute critical information quickly, educate the local community, and advise key decision makers on actions that require immediate attention. Save The Bay honors donor intent. To designate your donation for our emergency response fund, please email Adrien Andre at adrien@savesfbay.org.

Sign up for our Bay Savers Email Action Alert and we'll let you know when your help is needed to advocate for stronger oil spill legislation.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Natural Resource Damage Assessment Update, Released October 2008
View a slideshow of photos of the oil spill
Visit the California Department of Fish and Game Cosco Busan Web page
Read the Coast Guard's Report on Initial Response Phase, released January 28, 2008 (PDF)
Save The Bay's Executive Director testifies at a special Congressional hearing into the spill. (PDF)