Baykeeper's E-Newsletter for March 2011

Welcome to San Francisco Baykeeper's March E-News

• Victory! New Agreements to Fix Sewage Systems in Ten Cities
• Baykeeper Helps Green the America's Cup
• Pop-Up Wine Trunk Show to Benefit Baykeeper, Thurs, March 31
• Baykeeper Launches Plastic Monitoring Program in the Bay
• Fight Invasive Kelp in the Bay – Upcoming Volunteer Events
• Support Baykeeper's Work to Protect San Francisco Bay

New Agreements to Fix Sewage Systems in Ten Cities

Baykeeper has successfully settled lawsuits to fix polluting sewage systems in ten cities around the Bay. In the East Bay, Baykeeper and the EPA reached an agreement that requires Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley, Piedmont, Alameda, Albany, and the sanitary district for Kensington, El Cerrito and the Richmond Annex to protect the Bay from rainy season overflows of millions of gallons of partially treated sewage.

And last week we settled our lawsuit against South San Francisco over sewage spills to the Bay watershed, requiring improvements to the City's sewage spill rate over the next five years and securing $150,000 in funding for projects to repair the health of the watershed.

Read more about Baykeeper's recent victories to reduce sewage spills to the Bay.

Many more cities in the Bay Area face problems with crumbling sewer infrastructures – more than 10 million gallons of untreated sewage have been released to Bay waterways from spills and system failures around the region this year.

Baykeeper is tracking sewage spills as they happen around the Bay – check out our online interactive map to find out where sewage spills are happening in your area.

Baykeeper Helps Green the America's Cup

Baykeeper has helped organize a coalition of eighteen environmental groups working to ensure that the upcoming America's Cup sailing regatta is a safe and healthy event for San Francisco Bay.

Last week Baykeeper compiled and submitted to the City of San Francisco the coalition's extensive recommendations on how to help protect the Bay and local habitat, including:

* crowd control measures to prevent damage to sensitive shoreline habitat;
* increased public transit to reduce traffic and greenhouse gas emissions;
* expanded boater education regarding Bay-friendly boating practices; and
* greater controls on toxic boatyard pollution.

Click here to read the full list of recommendations for greening the America's Cup and learn more about the race planning process.

Pop-Up Wine Trunk Show to Benefit Baykeeper

Join us for a pop-up marketplace to taste and purchase artisan wines by leading local wineries, generously donated for sale at discounted prices. All sales benefit Baykeeper's work to protect the water quality and wildlife of San Francisco Bay.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Includes food and wine tastings. Click here to purchase your tickets online.

Baykeeper Conducts First Plastic Monitoring in the Bay

Baykeeper and the San Francisco Estuary Institute recently conducted a plastic monitoring expedition in the first ever attempt to quantify the amount of micro-plastic trash pieces in the Bay. Micro-plastics are smaller than 5 millimeters and are a growing area of concern for the health of the Bay.

The Baykeeper boat trawled several areas around the Bay to collect water samples that will be tested for concentration of micro-plastics. Read the full post on Baykeeper's outing to monitor for plastic trash pollution in the Bay.

Help Fight Invasive Kelp – Upcoming Volunteer Events

Tuesday, April 5, 9 am
Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay

Saturday, April 9, 9 am
South Beach Marina in San Francisco

Saturday, May 3, 9 am
South Beach Marina in San Francisco

Tuesday, May 14, 9 am
Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay

Baykeeper is partnering with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) to fight the invasion of the Asian kelp Undaria pinnatifida, which has spread throughout marinas in San Francisco Bay. Volunteers are needed to assist with removals of the kelp from local marinas. The Smithsonian would also like boaters to keep an eye out for this invader at their local marinas and report suspected sightings.

RSVP to SERC at marineinvaders@gmail.com or call (650) 380-5000. Read more information from SERC about the spread of Undaria in San Francisco Bay.

Support Baykeeper's Work to Protect the Bay

Donate to San Francisco Baykeeper to support a healthy, thriving San Francisco Bay. Since 1989, we have been the Bay's pollution watchdog, strengthening clean water laws and holding polluters accountable. Support our efforts to protect the Bay with a contribution to our work.

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