San Francisco Bay Oil Spill
Planning now to prevent another catastrophe from damaging California's coastline.
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At 8:30 AM on Wednesday, November 7, 2007, the oil container Cosco Busan struck a tower of the Bay Bridge, spilling 58,000 gallons of bunker fuel into San Francisco Bay. The Coast Guard estimates it was able to contain only 20 percent of the spill, and the agency’s response has been widely criticized as slow and uncoordinated. Oiled birds have been found at the Farallon Islands, more than 20 miles from the site of the accident. The state has closed the bay and waters off San Mateo, San Francisco and Marin counties to all fishing until December 1.
The oil spill is a tragic reminder of the fragility of our coastal ecosystems, as well as the risks of relying on fossil fuels. While spills in the bay have been rare in the past, ship traffic is increasing and vessels are getting larger. Here are some ways to prevent another catastrophe from damaging California’s precious coastline.
Prioritize prevention
To prevent oil spills from happening in the first place, the aging international shipping fleet should be upgraded to newer, more efficient ships, which can not only protect against spills but reduce pollution and our dependence on oil.
Establish a clear chain of communication
The communications chain, from the State Office of Emergency Services down through local responders, needs to be clear, redundant and activated immediately upon report of a spill.
Evaluate spill response nationwide
Congress should examine oil spill response procedure nationwide to ensure that other harbor cities are prepared for oil spills.
Strengthen coastal ecosystems
Wildlife and fisheries stand to suffer more from oil spills when their populations are already depleted, diseased or otherwise in trouble. Working to rebuild and protect marine populations, including creating marine reserves, will help keep our coastal waters resilient and mitigate disasters.
Address “invisible” spills
While the impacts of this particular spill are acute, the amount of oil spilled by the Cosco Busan is dwarfed by the annual amount that simply washes into the bay. On average, 6.1 million gallons of oil runs into California waters from roads and sidewalks each year. Reducing pollution from these “invisible” spills is critical to improving the overall health of coastal waters.
