Berkeley, California (Monday, November 12, 2007, 3:30 p.m.) – Approximately 80 volunteers spent their holiday morning getting training on how to handle the hazardous residue from last Wednesday’s oil spill. A representative of California State Fish and Game, Oil Spill Prevention and Response put on the training.

The volunteers, a mix of residents and Berkeley, Albany and East Bay Regional Park staff, will work in teams all week, cleaning those areas of the East Bay shoreline. On Tuesday morning, City of Berkeley staff will assess the work that needs to be done to clean the shore and the ongoing efforts to take care of oiled birds.

“There was an amazing outpouring of volunteer energy this weekend,” said City Manager Phil Kamlarz. “People feel very strongly about the wildlife and the shoreline. The bunker fuel is so dangerous, and we had to make sure people got proper training before trying to get the shore cleaned up. Now that is happening, we’re feeling good about the next week.”

Berkeley has been the hub for bird rescue and collection this past weekend. People from all over the Bay Area have been bringing birds to the Nature Center, where the birds were stabilized and then transported up to Cordelia. Hundreds of birds have been taken in. Bird experts warn that the number of dead birds is likely to rise in the coming week.

We’re working with the Department of Fish and Game to assess whether additional training will be offered and where.

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