McHugh Auto Wrecking in Concord recently agreed to make significant changes to its site in order to keep the auto dismantler’s toxic runoff from polluting San Francisco Bay. Baykeeper brought suit under the Clean Water Act based on McHugh Auto Wrecking’s self-reported sampling of storm water running off its site. The sampling showed that the facility was releasing high levels of pollutants such as copper, lead, zinc, and aluminum into tributaries of nearby Carquinez Strait, which flows into the Bay.
Baykeeper’s Sejal Choksi-Chugh Receives Environmental Leadership Award
Sejal Choksi-Chugh, Baykeeper’s Program Director and Interim Executive Director, was honored on April 9 with the UC Berkeley Law Ecology Law Quarterly’s annual Environmental Leadership Award.
In the 25th victory for Baykeeper’s Bay-Safe Industry Campaign, Cole Brothers Auto Wrecking, an auto dismantling facility in Oakland, recently agreed to implement controls to protect San Francisco Bay from the company’s contaminated runoff.
Residential water use in the Bay Area averaged 58 gallons per person per day this February, making it the most water efficient urban region in the state. Compared with February 2013, however, consumption was reduced by only 8% - a far cry from Governor Brown's recent 25% mandatory target.
Baykeeper is sponsoring state legislation that would protect wildlife and San Francisco Bay waters if a toxic non-petroleum substance is spilled or dumped into the Bay. Senate Bill 718, introduced by Senators Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, was inspired by the January release of a mysterious sticky gray substance into San Francisco Bay, dubbed in press reports as “mystery goo,” that killed more than 200 birds and harmed many more.
Recently, San Francisco Baykeeper responded to four separate oil spills into San Francisco Bay. In only one did the responsible party take action to help with the cleanup.
Deb Self, Executive Director, announces her departure from San Francisco Baykeeper.
I'm writing with a personal and organizational update about San Francisco Baykeeper’s executive leadership. After 11 years at the helm, I have decided to step down as of March 1 due to an illness in my family.
It has been such a thrill and an honor to partner with our amazing community of passionate supporters, working together to protect San Francisco Bay. I can’t thank you enough for all of your generous support and encouragement.
Baykeeper is monitoring two fuel spills in the Bay today:
One is a diesel fuel spill near Alameda Marina that happened overnight, and the source and size are still unknown. The Coast Guard is responding. Oiled birds have been sighted.
To report oiled bird sightings, call 877-UCD-OWCN (877-823-6926). Do not touch or flush birds, or touch or clean up oil.
Baykeeper reached an agreement with B2 Auto Dismantler, an autowrecking facility in San Jose, to clean up the company’s contaminated runoff to San Francisco Bay. B2 Auto Dismantler had been allowing rain to wash heavy metals off the site and into storm drains that lead to Guadalupe River and Coyote Creek, which drain to San Francisco Bay.
Baykeeper’s investigation revealed that over the past five years, storm water from B2 Auto Dismantler has contained copper, zinc, aluminum, and iron at levels consistently above EPA recommended limits.
