- An Extinction Plan for the Bay?
- Meet Baykeeper Attorney Christie Ralston
- Sand Mining Update—and Thank You for Taking Action!
- Defending the Bay From Offshore Oil Drilling
- Join the State of the Bay on March 4
- Share Your Love for the Bay This Valentine’s Day
An Extinction Plan for the Bay?
State officials recently released a deeply flawed plan—known as the “voluntary agreements”—which sets the rules that govern how much water flows through the Delta and into San Francisco Bay. Officials crafted the plan behind closed doors, excluding environmentalists, Tribal groups, fishermen, and local communities, while relying heavily on input from Big Ag.
As our lead scientist Jon Rosenfield told the State Water Board, the voluntary agreements are “an extinction plan.”
We will continue to fight for a science-based plan along with our coalition partners.
Pictured, above: Chinook salmon are one of the many native species that will suffer from the state’s voluntary agreements for the Bay-Delta.
Illustration by Fiorella Ikeue in collaboration with Baykeeper
Meet Baykeeper Attorney Christie Ralston
One of the newest additions to our legal team is Christie Ralston, associate attorney. Over the past year, she’s become an integral part of our efforts to strengthen California water policy.
Christie provides legal review of the flawed voluntary agreements (mentioned above) and harmful projects like the Delta Tunnel. With prior environmental law experience in the Midwest and Southeast, she brings a fresh perspective to the Bay’s problems. In her free time, Christie enjoys running, climbing, and catching movies at her local theater.
We’re lucky to have her!
Pictured: Baykeeper attorney Christie Ralston (center), field investigator Makayla Marquez (left), and finance director Amy Donovan (right) on the Bay in Alameda.
Sand Mining Update—and Thank You for Taking Action!
The State Lands Commission is planning to allow private companies to mine the equivalent of 5,350 Olympic swimming pools’ worth of Bay sand over the coming decade—despite evidence that sand mining is harmful to wildlife and erodes shorelines vulnerable to sea level rise.
Last week, our experts responded with detailed analysis and recommendations for fixing the state’s proposal. We also submitted letters of support from hundreds of our members. Thank you to everyone who took action!
Pictured: Sand mining removes sand that would naturally replenish shorelines and beaches, like San Francisco’s Ocean Beach (Photo by Robb Most)
Defending the Bay From Offshore Oil Drilling
The Trump Administration recently announced a dangerous new plan to expand offshore drilling along the California coast. So we joined the Bay Area People’s Hearing, hosted by our partners at Surfrider, to organize and speak out.
As Baykeeper attorney Ben Eichenberg said at the hearing, the Bay has a long history of oil spills. “That risk goes up the more oil we suck out of the ground, and the costs of these spills are incalculable. Oil doesn’t belong in our Bay, or in our neighborhoods, period.”
Photo courtesy of Surfrider
Join the State of the Bay on March 4
From fossil fuel expansion and federal rollbacks to accelerating climate risks, the future of San Francisco Bay is on the line. Join us on March 4 at 5:30 PM for Baykeeper’s State of the Bay.
Hear insider updates from Baykeeper’s Executive Director, Sejal Choksi-Chugh, on how Baykeeper supporters like you are helping us fight back and protect our home.
Free on Zoom; advance registration required. Register today to reserve your spot.
Share Your Love for the Bay This Valentine’s Day
We’ve created some fun Bay-themed Valentines to share your love for the Bay and local wildlife.
Click here to download to share on social or send to friends and family.