Enewsletter for January 2021

Two years ago, Baykeeper scientists discovered significant amounts of bacteria pollution from raw sewage in Stevens Creek, Calabazas Creek, and other South Bay waterways. Our sampling revealed E. coli at levels 50 times the legal limit. And the culprits were the cities of Sunnyvale and Mountain View.

So Baykeeper’s legal team took action, filing lawsuits against both cities for Clean Water Act violations. But instead of fixing the underlying issues with their wastewater and stormwater systems, Sunnyvale and Mountain View have wasted the past year trying to get our cases thrown out of court. 

In late December, their attempt failed. A federal court ruled that the cities’ arguments were without merit, and that Baykeeper’s cases should move forward.

Now, we hope Sunnyvale and Mountain View will do the right thing and fix their broken systems so their residents can enjoy clean water and healthy creeks.

Pictured: a stormwater outfall in the South Bay

Each year, Schnitzer Steel dumps an estimated 200,000 tons of metal residue pollution from its West Oakland Bay-side metal shredding facility into the surrounding water, soil, and air. And for decades, Oakland residents have called on California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to protect their health—a duty the agency has failed to uphold.  

"Despite years of legal advocacy, agencies have failed to provide effective oversight and the company has refused to clean up its act. Baykeeper is now asking the court to force DTSC to get serious about protecting our local communities from bad actors like Schnitzer and to bring welcome relief to the people and wildlife of West Oakland," said Baykeeper Executive Director Sejal Choksi-Chugh in a press statement.

Photo by Andrew Ho

Fossil fuel companies that challenged Richmond's coal ban under state law got some coal in their stockings. On Christmas Eve, a state court ruled that Richmond's coal phase-out is legal under the California Environmental Quality Act and can remain in place to protect public health and the environment.

Richmond is home to the Bay Area's only active coal export terminal, Levin, which handles millions of tons of this highly toxic material. Last January, Baykeeper helped the City of Richmond develop and pass the precedent-setting ordinance to phase out coal exports for the health of Richmond residents and the Bay.

But the battle to stop Big Coal in the Bay Area is far from over. Baykeeper and Sierra Club are continuing to fight a separate legal challenge by the industry over the ban in federal court.

One of the biggest opportunities to protect and restore San Francisco Bay wetlands and wildlife is at risk of being lost forever.

The City of Newark has approved a development project to pave over hundreds of acres of open space adjacent to the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge.  The city plans to truck in over 100,000 dump trucks full of fill to destroy wetlands within a flood zone that’s anticipated to be completely inundated by sea level rise—in order to allow for the construction of 469 new luxury homes.

It’s now up to the state regulatory agencies whose job it is to protect San Francisco Bay to step in and stop this destruction.

Click here to sign our action alert to urge the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission and San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board to protect this area before it’s too late.

Photo by Carin High

Starting this week, through late January, the premiere of the documentary River's End will air at the virtual Wild & Scenic Film Festival.

One of our highlights from 2020? Baykeeper supporters!

Thank you to everyone who donated to advance Baykeeper’s work in 2021. The entire Baykeeper team is truly honored that, in spite of so many challenges, our supporters are still standing with us to defend San Francisco Bay. 

This year, Baykeeper's annual Bay celebration and awards ceremony is going virtual!

On Sunday, March 7, join us to celebrate beautiful San Francisco Bay, our supporters, and Baykeeper’s latest victories. We’re excited to take you out on the Bay virtually to share big wins and look ahead to the challenges we're tackling in 2021. 

We’ll also honor our Blue Rivet awardees for their exceptional partnership in defending the Bay and the communities that rely on a healthy environment.

Plus: Enjoy fun prizes, good company, and food and drink options. Stay tuned for more details!

Baykeeper is seeking an experienced senior level attorney to fill an existing position on our environmental enforcement and legal advocacy team.

Baykeeper’s legal team manages a docket of 10-15 cases, leveraging the Clean Water Act and other environmental laws to achieve concrete legal victories for the Bay and Bay Area communities. In addition to litigation, the position will also work collaboratively with our staff scientists, lawyers, and outside partners to strengthen water quality policies through legal advocacy.

Click here for more details and how to apply.