Tar Balls & Oil Close Crown Beach in Alameda

I received an update from Baykeeper this morning -- about the Crown Memorial State Beach closure. Reports came in yesterday about an oil slick off the southwest coast of Alameda. Then tar balls showed up on the beach, in an area close to sensitive marsh habitat.

There's speculation that this might be a remnant of the November Cosco Busan oil spill -- speaking to the lasting environmental effects of such disasters.

If you spend any time in the marsh and park lands surrounding the Bay, you probably have an immense appreciation for how severely even a little bit of oil can mess with our local habitat and wildlife. Having been part of the bird rescue efforts in November, I can attest to the personal heartbreak of seeing birds dying on the shore, soaked in bunker fuel.

With efforts afoot to open shores to new drilling (which would lift a 27-year ban), it's more important than ever to grapple with the trade-offs we can and cannot make when it comes to the well-being of our global and local waters. You can probably guess where I stand.

• Photos from Cosco Busan Oil Spill - November 2007
• Oil Spill Map from November 2007 - Areas Affected
• Bay Area Shorebird Species (photos)
• Organizations Protecting San Francisco Bay: Baykeeper | Save the Bay

^{Oil on Bay Area Beach Following Cosco Busan Spill
Photo © Ingrid Taylar}