For Immediate UseContact: Garrison Frost
September 29, 2008(323) 951-9620

New legislation should remedy the lack of preparedness displayed during the 2007 Cosco Busan spill in San Francisco Bay

Sacramento, CA – California will be a much safer environment for migratory birds and wildlife thanks to Governor Schwarzenegger’s signature on several oil spill-related bills passed this year by the State Legislature, said representatives of Audubon California today. The 2007 Cosco Busan fuel spill in San Francisco Bay blackened water and beaches for weeks and killed thousands of migratory birds.

"Today's action by the Governor will make the birds of the Pacific Flyway far safer from the risk posed by oil spills in our state's waterways,” said Glenn Olson, executive director of Audubon California. “California should now be much better prepared to respond to oil spills, and do a much better job of preventing them in the first place.”

Audubon California was particularly pleased to see the Governor sign Assembly Bill 2911, which was sponsored by Assemblymember Lois Wolk. This new law will bolster response to spills and strengthen enforcement penalties, as well as  enhance the state's efforts to conduct search, rescue and treatment of oiled wildlife following an oil spill.

“Cosco Busan demonstrated to us how underequipped we are in California to have a properly trained and prepared community of volunteers to bring speedy relief to wildlife,” said Dan Taylor, Audubon California’s public policy director. “AB 2911 will make a significant improvement in volunteer readiness and being able to respond to future spills.”

One of the true tragedies of the Cosco Busan spill was the inability of several response agencies to take advantage of the willingness of local residents to offer volunteer aide.

In addition to Assembly Bill 2911, Audubon California also lent its support to AB 1960, 2031, 2935 and Senate Bill 1739.

About Audubon California 
Audubon California is building a better future for California by bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures. With more than 50,000 members in California and an affiliated 49 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of the National Audubon Society.

More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org.