Alameda Oil Spill Clean Up

pthorner · Joined: 29 Mar 1994 Posts: 164

http://www.uscgsanfrancisco.com/go/doc/823/212223/

ALAMEDA, Calf. - The Coast Guard, working with the Department of Fish and Game, Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), and East Bay Regional Parks, will oversee the cleanup of tarballs discovered on the Robert Crown Memorial State Beach, today.

At 1:36 p.m., the Coast Guard received a report of tarballs on the beach, and sent a shoreside team to investigate. Coast Guard and state pollution investigators reported finding small pieces of oil throughout a three-quarter mile stretch of beach. The National Response Corporation was contracted by the Coast Guard this afternoon, and will begin cleanup efforts today. The oil appears as dime to half dollar size tar balls containing fresh and runny oil. The tar balls cover approximately 1 % of a 1.5-foot wide band of beach extending 1/4 mile along the beach.

pthorner · Joined: 29 Mar 1994 Posts: 164

Maybe the local shops will know some areas are open or whether they may open the beach in the afternoon.

From EBParks.org:

Wednesday, June 18 update (10am)

Crown Beach in Alameda is currently closed as clean-up crews continue to remove tarballs along a half mile section of beach near Westline and Otis drives. No additional oil appears to be washing up today. The beach is being evaluated with the goal of opening it as soon as possible – perhaps this evening or tomorrow. Updates will be posted immediately on this website or by calling 1-510-544-2201. The source of the oil is unknown at this time. Beach goers should use caution when visiting and be aware that quarter and dime size tarballs may be on the shore or in the water. Oil should be removed immediately from skin and clothing using regular soap and water. Harsh detergents or chemicals are not needed. A boom was placed near the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary and oil does not appear to have damaged this area. No oil birds have been discovered. Reports of additional oil or oiled birds should be called into the Park District’s Public Safety Department at 510-881-1833.

pthorner · Joined: 29 Mar 1994 Posts: 164

From ebparks.org - they will decide around 3pm whether water access is allowed on Thursday afternoon. The oil spill clean up is completed but they are evaluating sewage in the water and the possibility of remaining oil. If this bums you out, consider a contribution to Baykeeper (baykeeper.org) or Save The Bay (savesfbay.org) who have pushed to reduce sewage and trash in the Bay.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Crown Memorial State Beach: Closure Update

Thursday, June 19 update (8:30 a.m.)

The Crown Beach beach area remains closed while water tests are being done and results evaluated. Every effort is being made to re-open the beach as soon as possible, but it will not be re-opened until the water is confirmed to be safe. Please check back at 3 p.m. today for an update.

Wednesday, June 18 update (11:30 a.m.)

The City of Alameda has notified the Park District of a sewage spill at Crown Beach (near the intersection of Kitty Hawk). The extent of the spill is unknown at this time. East Bay Regional Park District staff, California Fish & Game, the Office of Spill Prevention and Response, the Coast Guard, and City of Alameda staff are currently on site assessing yesterday's oil spill, and were going to make a decision on the possible reopening of the beach today. At this time, they are also investigating the sewage spill. It is possible that Crown Beach will remain closed for the remainder of the day. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

windbetty · Joined: 14 May 1998 Posts: 325

6/19 update at 11am:

Oil Spill Update:

The oil spill is all cleaned up and there is no new oil washing up on the beach. The source of the spill is unknown. We were teaching a kids camp Tuesday morning and after being in the water for about 45 minutes, we noticed small globs of oil washing into the beach. We called the park staff immediately, and they got the support (Coast Guard, CA Dept. Fish & Game, Spill Containment Unit, EB Parks) there very quickly to commence the clean up.

They were ready to reopen the beach yesterday when the sewage spill was reported. This was reported to be a small spill. They are hoping to reopen the beach today. Stay tuned.

Jane
Boardsports School & Shop
Alameda - San Mateo - San Francisco
http://www.BoardsportsSchool.com
415.385.1224

windbetty · Joined: 14 May 1998 Posts: 325

the beach is officially OPEN! All water quality tests are a GO for re-entering the bay at Crown Beach.

Jane
Boardsports School & Shop
Alameda - San Mateo - San Francisco
http://www.BoardsportsSchool.com
415.385.1224