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Governor Highlights State Actions to Clean Up Oil Spill in San Francisco Bay

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today highlighted what the state is doing to clean up the 58,000 gallons of oil that spilled into the San Francisco Bay yesterday as the result of a container vessel grazing the footings of the western span of the Bay Bridge.

There are 11 skimmers, mechanized oil recovery systems, in the San Francisco Bay and outside of the Golden Gate Bridge working to recover the spilled oil. The skimmers utilize a belt made from a material that attracts oil. Additionally, 18,000 feet of boom have been placed around the Bay Area to protect the beaches and wildlife. Two flyovers were conducted this morning to evaluate the movement of the spilled oil and to assist in the directing of oil spill response vessels.

"We take this spill very seriously and we will do everything we can to protect and preserve the beauty of California's landmark estuary," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "The state, joined by the United States Coast Guard and private companies, took immediate action when we learned of the spill. We have the best people on this multi-agency effort and all parties are aggressively working to mitigate this spill and the environmental impacts."

A unified response team to clean up the spill consists of the California Office of Spill Prevention and Response under the Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and representatives of the vessel owner.

Additionally, private companies involved in the clean up progress are the Marine Spill Response Corporation and National Response Center. Also, officials from the city and county of San Francisco, the National Marine Sanctuary, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Department of Emergency Management, Treasure Island Development and the Bay Area Air Quality Control Board are all monitoring the clean up progress.