- We Caught the Trump Administration Killing the Bay’s Endangered Fish
- Take Action: Submit Your Photos of the Bay Area’s Trash Problem
- Power Washing Gravel Won’t Solve the Tuolumne River’s Problems
- Sampling Through Stormy Weather
- Baykeeper Presents at the State of the Estuary
- Don’t Let Your Turkey & Gravy Lead to Bay Pollution!
- New Holiday Greeting Cards to Benefit San Francisco Bay
We Caught the Trump Administration Killing the Bay’s Endangered Fish
Federal records show that water exports from the Bay’s tributary rivers are killing winter-run Chinook Salmon, Central Valley Steelhead, and Green Sturgeon. So last week, Baykeeper and our partners issued a notice of intent to sue the Trump administration.
“The Bureau of Reclamation is blatantly violating the Endangered Species Act and putting San Francisco Bay’s most iconic fish species at greater risk of extinction,” our managing attorney Eric Buescher said in a statement. “There is simply no excuse for its actions or refusal to comply with the law.”
Illustration of a Central Valley Steelhead by Fiorella Ikeue in collaboration with Baykeeper
Take Action: Submit Your Photos of the Bay Area’s Trash Problem
The Regional Water Board reported last month that many Bay Area cities have met a 100% trash reduction goal. But we can all see that there’s still a lot of trash around the Bay Area.
Unfortunately, the Board is using an arbitrary baseline and subjective calculations to measure trash improvements.
Do you see trash near you? Click here to sign our action alert and submit your photos of trash along the Bay’s shore so we can show the agency that there’s still work to do.
Power Washing Gravel Won’t Solve the Tuolumne River’s Problems
Baykeeper scientist Jon Rosenfield recently presented to the State Water Board on the Tuolumne River plan addressing water flows to the Bay. Jon criticized the plan for proposing superficial actions like washing gravel to protect fish instead of providing what fish actually need to survive: fresh water.
Yet, agencies like the SF Public Utilities Commission support the flawed plan because meaningful solutions to benefit the Bay would make it harder for them to hoard water.
Click here to tell Mayor Lurie that SFPUC needs to do better.
Sampling Through Stormy Weather
Stormwater runoff is the single largest source of pollution in the Bay. That’s why our field team kicks into gear in the early morning hours of the biggest storms.
When the Bay Area gets hit by heavy rains, Baykeeper’s scientists take the opportunity to sample runoff from suspected polluters.
During last week’s big storms, our field investigators sampled at two new locations. If these water quality sampling results show high levels of heavy metals, oil, or other toxic pollution, our legal team will take action to get them to stop.
Do you know of a facility releasing pollution into the Bay? Contact our pollution hotline.
Baykeeper Presents at the State of the Estuary
Last month, the wonkiest water scientists gathered for the annual State of the Estuary conference.
Two of our subject-matter experts presented, including senior scientist Ian Wren and field investigator Cheryl Patel.
Cheryl talked about our new harmful algae bloom monitoring program, which we launched in response to devastating blooms in 2022 and 2023. Luckily, despite elevated levels in certain areas, the Bay did not experience a serious harmful algae bloom this year.
Photo: Cheryl at the State of the Estuary conference under a White Sturgeon art piece depicting the size they are capable of reaching (20 feet!)
Don’t Let Your Turkey & Gravy Lead to Bay Pollution!
When fats go down the drain, they harden in the pipes connecting to sewage treatment systems. Fat-lined pipes are prone to clogs, and the resulting backups release sewage into streets and into the Bay.
So keep your used cooking oil, leftover gravy, and pan grease out of the sink. Instead, collect leftover oil in a sealed container and drop it off at your residential waste company for disposal. For smaller amounts of grease, wipe down with a paper towel before rinsing pots and pans in the sink.
Pictured, above: Fats harden in pipes, causing spills and ruptures
New Holiday Greeting Cards to Benefit San Francisco Bay
We’ve partnered with Cards Against Climate Change on a new series of greeting cards celebrating the wildlife of the Bay’s marshes, including the Snowy Plover and Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse.
100% of proceeds go directly to Baykeeper to defend Bay resilience! The cards are made from recycled materials and feature artwork by five local artists.
Click here to order your cards today. Enter referral code “SFBaykeeper” in the Memo section for a chance to win prizes. Orders ship by 12/6.
