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Baykeeper Press Releases

High Tides Next Week Give Preview Of Sea Level Rise
From boat, Baykeeper documents impact of future sea level rise on San Francisco Bay
(Feb 3, 2012)

San Francisco— Next week some of the year’s highest tides will breach California’s coastal and bay shorelines, providing a glimpse of what the state can expect as sea level rises due to climate change. Baykeeper is helping document the impact of these high tides, called king tides, on San Francisco Bay. High tides will occur Monday through Wednesday, with the highest, at more than 6.7 feet, on Tuesday, February 7, at about 10:50 am.
West Bay Agrees to Curb Sewage Spills To The Bay
Baykeeper settles long-running lawsuit against Peninsula sanitary district
(Jan 12, 2012)

San Francisco - Less sewage will be draining into San Francisco Bay from Menlo Park-based West Bay Sanitary District, San Francisco Baykeeper announced today. Baykeeper has successfully settled its long-running lawsuit against West Bay for illegal sewage spills, reaching an agreement that details the agency’s efforts to curb its sewage pollution as a result of Baykeeper’s suit. The Sanitary District’s board of directors approved the settlement last night.
Long-Awaited America's Cup Final Environmental Review Released
City Must Protect Bay Area's Air and Water During America's Cup
(Dec 5, 2011)

San Francisco  –  The Environmental Council – a coalition of more than thirty Bay Area organizations – is now reviewing the final America’s Cup Final Environmental Impact Report, released today by the City of San Francisco. While concerns remain that the project may fall short of preventing harm to the city’s shoreline and Bay ecosystem, certain areas, such as air quality mitigation have been tremendously improved.  The Council was formed to work with the City to achieve a green and sustainable sailing event and shoreline development.
Protect the Bay in Your Kitchen this Holiday Season
To Keep Sewage Out of the Bay, Keep Cooking Fats, Oil and Grease Out of the Drain
(Nov 30, 2011)

San Francisco Bay Area, CA –The holiday season can bring a surge of sewage pollution to San Francisco
Bay. A major reason is the cooking and cleanup of rich holiday meals.

Cooking rich foods like turkey and gravy creates fats, oil and grease which gets washed down the
drain during cleanup of pots, pans and fryers. The fats and greasy scraps harden and clump together,
especially in cold weather.
Press Release - Governor Signs Baykeeper Oil Spill Bill
1.5 cents increase per barrel of oil will fund prevention and response measures
(Oct 9, 2011)

Sacramento, CA – Finally, the California Office of Spill Prevention and Response – part of the Department of Fish and Game – is set to get an increase in funding from oil companies doing business in the state.  AB 1112 was signed by Governor Brown October 8.
Cosco Busan Settlement Falls Short
Most of settlement to pay for recreation, not habitat restoration.
(Sep 19, 2011)

San Francisco, CA – Today federal, state and local government agencies announced their financial settlement with those responsible for the Cosco Busan oil spill which dumped 53,000 gallons of oil into San Francisco Bay on November 7, 2007. The settlement agreement requires the owners of the ship to pay $44 million for all the resource damages caused by the oil spill.
Press Release - Baykeeper Oil Spill Bill Passes CA Legislature
1.5 cents increase per barrel of oil will fund prevention and response measures
(Sep 8, 2011)

Sacramento, CA – Finally, the California Office of Spill Prevention and Response – part of the Department of Fish and Game – is set to get an increase in funding from oil companies doing business in the state.  AB 1112 now awaits Governor Brown's signature if it is to become law.
Thirty Groups Tell City America's Cup Plans Inadequate
City Must Protect Bay Area's Air and Water During America's Cup
(Aug 9, 2011)

San Francisco – Environmentalists and neighborhood groups plan to urge San Francisco Planning Commissioners at a public hearing on Thursday, August 11, to make improvements in the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the 34th America’s Cup.  The Environmental Council – a coalition of more than thirty organizations – is concerned that the Draft EIR underestimates the expected impacts of the event, and will not be able to ensure that the Bay Area’s air, water, and sensitive shorelines are protected.  The council was formed to work with the City to achieve a green and sustaina
Environmental, Neighborhood Groups Welcome Release Of America’s Cup Environmental Review
Baykeeper and other environmental groups greeted today’s release of the America’s Cup Draft Environmental Impact Report with guarded optimism.
(Jul 11, 2011)

San Francisco – More than 30 environmental groups greeted today’s release of the America’s Cup Draft Environmental Impact Report with guarded optimism. The groups said they had worked with the City on analyzing potential environmental impacts to the Bay and San Francisco waterfront from development associated with America’s Cup and a new cruise terminal at Pier 27.
Federal Court Finds West Bay Sanitary District Liable for Sewage Spills
U.S. District Court finds West Bay liable for 21 sewage spills to area creeks and sloughs over the past five years
(May 23, 2011)

San Francisco, CA – In a case brought by San Francisco Baykeeper against the West Bay Sanitary District in December 2009, U.S. District Court Judge Edward Chen has granted summary judgment to Baykeeper in finding the District liable for 21 illegal sewage spills that flowed directly into area creeks and sloughs over the past five years. West Bay serves Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto and Woodside, as well as unincorporated areas of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.