Just a few months after Baykeeper’s founding in 1989, we received an anonymous tip about illegal dredging that led to a covert investigation, media scandal, retaliatory damage to the Baykeeper boat, a criminal investigation, and finally, jail time for the offenders.
Joining with a coalition of environmental groups, Baykeeper recently helped scuttle a proposal by developers for a new facility to export coal from the Port of Oakland. Coal breaks apart easily, forming dust that contains mercury, arsenic, uranium, and other toxic substances. Transporting millions of tons of coal in mile-long open car trains to the port, and then loading it onto ships, would send toxic dust into San Francisco Bay. It would also further pollute the air of nearby communities already suffering from disproportionate pollution.
California is experiencing one of the driest years on record, and the state is gripped by drought. A lack of rain has major impacts on how we consume freshwater. What does it mean for water quality in the Bay?
The office of California Attorney General Kamala Harris recently raised concerns about environmental damage to San Francisco Bay and shoreline communities that could result from a proposed expansion of a Pittsburg oil transfer and storage facility.
Providing new support for Baykeeper’s work to prevent excessive sand mining in San Francisco Bay, recent scientific research confirms the link between removing too much sand from the Bay’s floor and excessive erosion at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach.
Pacific Galvanizing in Oakland agreed last week to keep runoff contaminated with metals from flowing into nearby storm drains that empty into San Francisco Bay. The agreement settled Baykeeper’s Clean Water Act lawsuit against Pacific Galvanizing, and will protect the Bay from pollutants that include zinc, lead, aluminum, iron, oil, grease, fuel, sulfuric acid, and other toxic chemicals.
More open space will be included in upcoming development on San Francisco Bay’s south shoreline, thanks to determined advocacy by Baykeeper and other local environmental groups.
The San Jose City Council recently approved a plan for industrial and commercial development on land surrounding the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, which is some of the last remaining open space along the Bay in Santa Clara County.
Join Baykeeper in Pittsburg this Saturday, December 14, for a Toxic Tour aboard Baykeeper’s pollution patrol boat, highlighting the threat of oil industry plans to expand oil refineries on San Francisco Bay. We’ll explore nearby areas that will be under threat from oil spills and other toxic pollution, should the proposed refinery expansions be completed.
On Tuesday night, November 19, the San Jose City Council will vote on a plan to develop some of the last remaining open space along the Bay in Santa Clara County. It’s also some of the only remaining burrowing owl habitat along the South Bay shore. In addition, this development would impact rare plants and other wildlife, plus set the stage for additional development along Coyote Creek.
Instead of running off into San Francisco Bay, contaminated storm water from Premier Recycle in San Jose will be pumped to storage containers and reused onsite. This new victory in Baykeeper’s Bay-Safe Industry Campaign is a result of our successful Clean Water Act lawsuit against Premier Recycle.
