Baykeeper's E-Newsletter for May 2012

Baykeeper Launches Bay-Safe Industry Campaign

This week, Baykeeper is launching our new Bay-Safe Industry campaign to rein in rampant, illegal runoff into San Francisco Bay from industrial facilities.

More than 1,000 Bay Area industrial facilities are violating the Clean Water Act during the rainy season, polluting the Bay with runoff contaminated with toxics that include heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons.

The Bay-Safe Industry campaign includes outreach and education to improve practices at industrial facilities, advocacy for tighter regulation of industrial storm water and legal action to compel polluters to stop contaminating the Bay.

Read more about Baykeeper's Bay-Safe Industry campaign.

New Victory for Bay-Safe Industry and a Clean Bay

Baykeeper and The Boatyard at Grand Marina have reached an agreement to reduce the Alameda boat repair facility's storm water pollution of San Francisco Bay. Grand Marina's storm water runoff contained high levels of copper, lead and zinc. These heavy metals are common pollutants from boatyards and are toxic to fish.

"Once we notified Grand Marina about the contamination they were causing in San Francisco Bay, the operators moved quickly to investigate ways to reduce their pollution levels," says Baykeeper Program Director Jason Flanders. "The storm water controls Grand Marina has agreed to install will significantly reduce this pollution in the Bay."

Read more about Baykeeper's pollution cleanup victory with Grand Marina.

$1.96 Million Payment for 2009 Bay Oil Spill

The owner and operator of the Dubai Star, a tanker that spilled 422 gallons of oil into San Francisco Bay in 2009, will pay $1.96 million to settle violations of state clean water laws. The payment will be used primarily to restore wildlife habitat and enhance public recreation in the East Bay.

Baykeeper's work in the last several years on state and regional oil spill policy has helped reduce the chances of this kind of fueling accident.

State legislation signed into law last fall and sponsored by Baykeeper will require stricter oversight of ships transferring fuel on the open water. We are also helping develop better protective measures for ship-to-ship fueling in the Bay.

Read more about the oil spill settlement and Baykeeper's work to reduce the chances of fueling accidents in the Bay.

Celebrate the Bay at the Baykeeper Spring Party on May 16

Support Baykeeper's work to protect San Francisco Bay at our 2012 Spring Party! Join us for an inspiring evening to benefit our work to protect the Bay from pollution on Wednesday, May 16. Enjoy drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and stunning Bay views at Waterbar Restaurant on the San Francisco Embarcadero. We'll also have a silent auction—take a sneak peak at some of the featured items that will be up for bidding!

Tickets are $75 and benefit Baykeeper's efforts on behalf of a healthy San Francisco Bay.

Find out more about the Baykeeper Spring Party on May 16.

Swim for the Bay

Take the cross-Bay plunge! On Sunday, September 30, join Baykeeper for the third annual Swim for the Bay to benefit a healthy San Francisco Bay.

The Swim for the Bay is a noncompetitive 9-mile swim from the Golden Gate to the East Bay. Swimmers may participate on a relay team or solo. Registration cost is $100; each swimmer must raise an additional $300 for Baykeeper.

Learn more and register for the swim.

Check Out Baykeeper's New Video

Need an inspiring reminder of why you support San Francisco Baykeeper? We're pleased to release our new 30-second video spot showcasing Baykeeper's work to protect San Francisco Bay from pollution. View Baykeeper's new video.