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From Baykeeper's Column in Bay Crossings Magazine

Baykeeper publishes a column in Bay Crossings, a monthly newspaper featuring articles of interest on San Francisco Bay cultural, environmental and maritime issues.
Summertime Play on the Bay
(July 2012)

With San Francisco Bay’s summer recreation season in full swing, let’s hear from those who love to play on and in the Bay.
The Clean Water Act (Also Known As the Law That Made the Bay Smell Better) Turns 40
(June 2012)

In the 1960s and early 70s, San Francisco Bay just plain stank. Raw or partly treated sewage entered the Bay in 83 places. Refineries, smelters, pesticide manufacturers and other industrial facilities pumped their waste directly into the Bay.

The Bay Area wasn’t alone. Across the nation, water quality was at an all-time low. A symbol was the Cuyahoga River in Ohio, so choked with industrial waste that it repeatedly caught fire.
Gray Whales—San Francisco Bay’s Frequent Swimmers?
(May 2012)

Are gray whales coming into San Francisco Bay more often? Baykeeper is helping to find out, and you can help, too.

We’re assisting the Oceanic Society with a new study to find out how many gray whales are coming to the Bay and what dangers they face. The public is encouraged to help by reporting all whale sightings.
Boat Maintenance Tips for a Cleaner Bay
(April 2012)

With Opening Day on the way, and the America’s Cup around the corner, lots of folks—including Baykeeper—are busy with spring boat maintenance, all in preparation for a special boating season.

Marinas, Boaters Need to Take Leadership on Bay Pollution
(March 2012)

Can one boater make a difference? Consider this: A weekend boater flushing untreated sewage into San Francisco Bay produces the same bacterial pollution as 10,000 people whose sewage passes through a treatment plant.

One marina operator can make a big difference, too. At Sausalito’s Galilee Harbor, a co-op affordable-housing marina owned by its tenants, every boat is connected into the city sewer system. The co-op paid for the dockside sewer hookups and pipes connecting to the main sewer line. Each boat owner paid for the plumbing connections from boat to dockside hookup.
King Tides Send a Message: Get Ready for Climate Change
(February 2012)

In the not-too-distant future, Sausalito and Marin City streets could be underwater twice a day. High tides could regularly overflow onto San Francisco’s Embarcadero. Around San Francisco Bay, storm drains will run in reverse, with salt water backing up in low-lying communities. Frequent flooding in winter will be the new normal. The more the world’s nations fail to agree on measures to stop global climate change, the more likely all of the above becomes. It won’t happen right away. Climate change is causing sea levels to rise gradually, over decades.
On a Mission Under Cover of a Rainy Night
(January 2012)

As cold rain fell from the night sky, we slipped our kayaks into the dark waters off the East Bay shore. The Bay’s surface was calm. The only sound was raindrops splashing on our kayaks and the water around us. Lights from shore allowed us to find our way.

Holiday Kitchen Tips for Preventing Bay Pollution
(December 2011)

Ah, the holidays. Gathering with friends and family—turkey, roasts, gravy, buttery homemade desserts, sewage . .

Sewage?

Yes, unfortunately. For San Francisco Bay, the holiday season comes with a surge of pollution from sewage. A major reason is the cooking and cleanup of rich holiday meals. Fortunately, there are ways we can all make sure our kitchens don’t pollute the Bay by accident.
Tips for Staying Pesticide Free
(November 2011)

Pesticides are one of the main contaminants to Bay Area creeks and the aquatic life that forms the base of the Bay’s food web. Future columns will discuss our efforts to reduce local governments’ use of pesticide. Read on to learn what you can do to stay pesticide free—for the health of your family and the Bay.
Clean Water Legislative Update
(October 2011)

Three good bills to protect San Francisco Bay and California children made it out of the California Legislature this session and now await Governor Brown’s signature. AB1112, which Baykeeper sponsored to protect the Bay from future oil spills, needs a final push from you.