Berkeley, California (Sunday, November 11, 2007, 11:30 a.m.) – Berkeley City Manager Phil Kamlarz has issued a proclamation restricting access to all Berkeley waterfront areas until further notice. Visitors are being asked to stay 50 feet away from the shoreline (download the proclamation here or read it online here).

“The first several days, we focused on bird rescue and containing the oil spill,” Kamlarz said. “Now that the weather is clear, it is time for trained HazMat experts to begin cleanup of this toxic material. It is important that people continue to avoid the coastline while the water and shore is still contaminated.”

Trained City staff has been cleaning the harbor and will begin addressing the shoreline today. The City is also working with Alameda County emergency response to secure help from the Unified Command Center.”

The Berkeley Marina and Nature Center staff members have been busy for the last three days taking care of shorebirds from all over the Bay Area. Birds are being housed temporarily at the Marina before being transported to the San Francisco Bay Oiled Wildlife Care and Education Center in Cordelia, for cleaning and release. Residents and visitors are being asked not to touch birds or other wildlife, but to report the sighting to Oiled Wildlife Care Network at (877) 823-6926.

Residents and visitors are still being asked to stay away from the water and shoreline areas, unless they’ve been trained by California State Fish and Game to rescue the polluted animals. To learn more about being a Fish and Game volunteer, call (916) 323-0716 or (510) 236-1013.

Harbor access is still restricted because the elimination of boat traffic helps confine the oil sludge and reduce the risk of further oil contamination in the marina. However, some boat access is being allowed on a case-by-case basis. For more information, call the 981-6740.

The new claim number for people with damaged or oiled property: 866/442-9650.

For updates and more information, visit www.CityofBerkeley.info 

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