Baykeeper's E-Newsletter for September 2011

Clean Up the Bay's Shoreline With Baykeeper This Saturday!

Join Baykeeper at San Francisco's India Basin Shoreline Park this Saturday, September 17, 9 am to noon as part of California Coastal Cleanup Day! This is the state’s largest single effort to remove the debris that has accumulated on beaches and inland shorelines over the past year.

Please come out to join us for a family-friendly event and help clean up this neighborhood shoreline park. Participants are eligible for great prizes from our sponsors Teva and REI!

Learn more about the beach cleanup and register to attend!

Baykeeper Oil Spill Funding Bill Headed to the Governor

AB 1112, co-sponsored by Baykeeper, passed the California Legislature last week and will now be sent to Governor Brown for veto or approval. The bill provides much-needed funding for the state's Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response by increasing the fee paid by oil companies from 5 cents to 6.5 cents per barrel of oil.

Now we need your help to ensure that the Governor signs AB 1112 into law, along with several other key pieces of legislation that will have major impacts to California's environment. Read more about the bills now under consideration by the Governor, and please call him today.

TransBay Relay Swimmers Rise to the Challenge

This past Saturday, September 10, sixteen swimmers crossed the Bay in the second annual TransBay Relay swim benefiting San Francisco Baykeeper. The swim, which spanned 9 miles across the Bay from the Golden Gate to Emeryville, challenged the swimmers and their pilots with strong winds, large swells and considerable chop.

We're happy to report that everyone arrived safely at the finish line with smiles on their faces despite the rough water. The swimmers' remarkable achievements were celebrated with a post-swim party at the Dolphin Club. We'd like to thank all of the incredible swimmers, pilots and volunteers who helped make this event a big success - and raised more than $12,000 for Baykeeper's work to protect the Bay.

Read more and see photos from the TransBay Relay.

Federal Clean Water Act Under Threat

There is an all-out attack on the federal Clean Water Act in the U.S. Congress right now, as the Senate entertains numerous stealth amendments to major appropriations bills for the federal agencies. Fortunately, one of the most powerful members of the Appropriations Subcommittees voting on these so-called "riders" is San Francisco Democrat Dianne Feinstein. Please call her and thank her for being a supporter of clean water in the past and urge her to vote NO on all appropriations riders.

We want a clean appropriations process that doesn't undermine our nation's environmental laws behind closed doors. Learn more about threats to the federal Clean Water Act and how to contact Senator Feinstein.

Support Baykeeper at Upcoming Wine and Paddleboard Events

Join us for two exciting events this fall and show your support for Baykeeper! On October 12th, Wine & Spirits Magazine will host their Top 100 tasting event at the Metreon in San Francisco. You'll have a chance to taste offerings from leading winemakers and local restaurants, and a portion of your ticket purchase benefits Baykeeper.

Then, get active on October 29th at the inaugural Battle of the Bay standup paddleboard event at McNear's Beach in San Rafael. There will be races for all levels, an expo and after party with proceeds contributed to Baykeeper's efforts to fight Bay pollution!

Learn more about these upcoming events.