Today has been a great day for coastal protection and improved oil spill prevention and response efforts!
Over 7,000 voices took a stand and signed the Change.org petition to urge California Governor Jerry Brown and California Senator Mike McGuire to pass Senate Bill 788 (SB 788), we are a huge step closer to stopping future offshore oil drilling in the Santa Barbara channel. That means a greatly reduced risk of another tragic oil spill like the one at Refugio Beach on May 19th that we'll be suffering through, and cleaning up, for months.
SB 788 passed out of the Senate and will head to the Assembly - this is a significant hurdle and fantastic news for coastal protection!
Due to EAC's continued leadership and work on oil spill prevention and response policy issues, SB 414, the Rapid Oil Spill Response Act, was introduced to address deficiencies in California's oil spill preparedness.
Our work is not finished!
Are you tired of seeing images of sick oil slicked seabirds and marine mammals?
Were you one of the hundreds turned away because you were not aware in order to help clean up the beach you need to take a 40-hour training?
Are you shocked California would even consider dumping thousands of pounds of chemical dispersants into our coastal waters as a way to clean up the spill?
The Rapid Oil Spill Response Act will require fisherman get paid training to be the first responders to oil spills, will purchase two state-of-the-art oil skimmers to be stationed in Santa Barbara, and will prohibit the use of chemical dispersants for oil spill response until further study.
Unfortunately, without this new law, the "go to" plan of action for spills in deeper waters and at least 1/2 mile from shore is to use toxic chemical dispersants, which are known to have adverse impacts on fish and other sea life. Read our fact sheet chemical disperants here.
Please support our important work by making a contribution to our Oil Spill Prevention and Response campaign today.
We need your support now more than ever as we continue to work for critical policy reforms in our Capitol. All contributions are 100% tax-deductible and will be fully applied to this campaign. We will continue to keep you updated as these important bills move through the California Legislature.
Thank you for your donation and support of important environmental work to keep California's irreplaceable coastline pristine!
With gratitude,
Amy Trainer, Executive Director
Environmental Action Committee of West Marin