Baykeeper Completes Toxic Debris Removal from Point Molate, Park to Reopen Soon
Completing a months-long cleanup, Baykeeper has removed more than 80 tons of debris that has polluted San Francisco Bay waters and the shoreline at Point Molate in Richmond. As a result, Point Molate Beach Park, which has been closed for a decade, will reopen soon.
For years, Point Molate's beach has been blighted by hundreds of pilings contaminated with creosote, a now-banned wood preservative that poses a threat to both wildlife and people. The toxic pilings are all gone now, along with metal shards, tires, and parts of a run-down pier.
Thanks to all the volunteers who helped clean up this wild shoreline! Point Molate is one of the last remaining undeveloped sites along San Francisco Bay, and now, it will be a true treasure for Richmond and Bay Area residents.
And help us celebrate at the Swim for the Bay Party, starting at 5 PM October 20 at the Dolphin Club. The festivities will feature delicious food, beer and wine from local purveyors, beautiful Bay views, as well as a silent auction for fantastic getaways, dining, wines, merchandise, and adventures! Tickets are $50, or make a $50 donation to support your favorite Swim for the Bay swimmer. (Photo credit: Susanne Friedrich)
Volunteer Investigators Help Find Industrial Polluters
Baykeeper Volunteer Pollution Investigators are fanning out across the Bay Area, helping us find out which industrial facilities are polluting San Francisco Bay.
After completing their training last month, volunteers are out inspecting the edges of industrial sites. They're taking photos and looking for indications that pollution is being washed into the Bay when rain falls.
If volunteers find indications of pollution, staff members or volunteers will return to the site later, during rain storms, to collect samples of runoff. If we find illegal pollution in a site's runoff, we'll take legal action to stop it.
This month, Baykeeper will find out how much progress has been made so far this year in cleaning up the Ghost Fleet – decaying military ships that have poisoned the San Francisco Bay ecosystem for over 40 years.
In 2010, Baykeeper successfully reached a settlement agreement with the federal government that required a speedy cleanup of the rusting ships. We're going to Suisun Bay, an inlet of San Francisco Bay where the ships are stored, to find out how many more have been removed this year. Last year, only 21 of the original 57 ships were left, and the cleanup was ahead of schedule. We'll also check to see that the Bay is being protected from pollution from the remaining ships.
We'll report on how the Ghost Fleet cleanup is going in next month's E-news.
Congratulations, Swimmable California Day Photo Contest Winners!
Congratulations to the winners of the Swimmable California Day photo contest! Here's the grand prize winning photo by Bill Pruitt.
July 25th was the first ever Swimmable California Day. The California Legislature proclaimed Swimmable California Day to recognize Californians' rights to coastal areas, beaches, estuaries, rivers, streams, and lakes that are clean and safe for swimming and other activities.
Baykeeper joined with our nine fellow California Waterkeeper organizations and with our statewide association, the California Coastkeeper Alliance, to celebrate Swimmable California Day and sponsor the photo contest.
Dining at Sausalito's Fish Restaurant Supports Baykeeper
Eating out in Sausalito? Fish Restaurant is donating $1 to San Francisco Baykeeper for every glass of Shipwreck Chardonnay ordered this summer. Enjoy sustainable seafood and delicious wine for a good cause.
Thanks to Fish, and to Shipwreck Chardonnay for arranging this summer-long fundraiser to support a healthy San Francisco Bay!
Support a healthy
This month, Baykeeper will find out how much progress has been made so far this year in cleaning up the Ghost Fleet – decaying military ships that have poisoned the San Francisco Bay ecosystem for over 40 years.
Eating out in Sausalito? Fish Restaurant is donating $1 to San Francisco Baykeeper for every glass of Shipwreck Chardonnay ordered this summer. Enjoy sustainable seafood and delicious wine for a good cause. 