1971 San Francisco Bay oil spill

Oil tanker collision spill February 2025 The 1971 San Francisco Bay oil spill occurred when two Standard Oil Company of California tankers, the Arizona Standard and the Oregon Standard, collided on January 18, 1971, in the San Francisco Bay. The resulting 800,000-gallon spill, the largest in Bay Area history, threatened sensitive natural habitats both inside and outside the bay, including the Bolinas Lagoon, and contributed to the growth of activism against pollution, after thousands of Bay Area residents volunteered to clean up beaches and rescue oil-soaked birds. Several environmental organizations had their origins in the spill cleanup. Standard Oil spent more than $1 million on the clean-up.Tanker Collision Dumps a Huge Oil Spill in San Francisco Bay https://www.nytimes.com/1971/01/19/archives/tanker-collision-dumps-a-huge-oil-spill-in-san-francisco-bay.html The New York Times 19 January 1971 6 September 2018After 30 years, tankers safer but spills still a threat https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2001-01-19/article/3054?headline=After-30-years-tankers-safer-but-spills-still-a-threat The Associated Press 19 January 2001 26 March 2012http://blog.bird-rescue.org/index.php/2011/01/remembering-1971-san-francisco-bay-oil-spill/ International Bird Rescue – Every Bird Matters» Blog Archive » Remembering the 1971 San Francisco Bay oil spill Jay Holcomb 18 January 2011 26 March 2012 3 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140503075129/http://blog.bird-rescue.org/index.php/2011/01/remembering-1971-san-francisco-bay-oil-spill/ dead Marin's biggest oil-dumping nightmare came in 1971 Nels Johnson http://www.marinij.com/ci_7413576 Marin Independent Journal MediaNews Group, Bay Area News Group 9 November 2007 26 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20140502214211/http://www.marinij.com/ci_7413576 2014-05-02 dead Inception of International Bird Rescue and volunteerism In March 1971, California's Fish and Game Department estimated that 7,000 birds were oiled during the incident, most of which died before collection or while being taken care of. At the end of January 1971, roughly 200 of the 1,600 birds "brought in" were still alive.1971-01-31 Only 200 of 1600 treated seabirds survive in wake of San Francisco Bay oil spill (1971) 1 The Sacramento Bee https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54567165/only-200-of-1600-treated-seabirds/ 2020-07-02 Ultimately less than 80 of those survived.spills 1971) Birds O. K. (Wafra & Standard Oil California oil 1971-03-02 Oil Fouls Beaches 6 The Manhattan Mercury https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50554985/oil-fouls-beaches-birds-ok-wafra/ 2020-05-09 The resulting environmental destruction from the spill, specifically the avian population, prompted volunteers to rescue some 4,300 birds. At the time, knowledge on how to care for oiled birds was low. Despite best efforts, only 300 or so animals were deemed fit to be released. The remnants of this volunteer force eventually resulted in the creation of the International Bird Rescue to increase knowledge and research in bird rescue. One of the largest volunteer turnouts since the 1906 San Francisco earthquake came of this event. See also San Francisco Bay Area Environment Cosco Busan oil spill List of oil spills John Francis, an environmentalist whose career began with the spill References External links Photographs of the spill at SmugMug 40th anniversary blog https://web.archive.org/web/20140503075129/http://blog.bird-rescue.org/index.php/2011/01/remembering-1971-san-francisco-bay-oil-spill/ 2014-05-03 at the International Bird Rescue Research (founded at the time of the spill) "The early bird gets the oily bird", a first-hand account of the volunteer bird cleaning efforts at FoundSF PRBO Conservation Science originating in the spill PBS film of work constructing oil barriers at Bolinas Lagoon during the spill collapsed 37 45 34 N 122 20 31 W title type:event_region:US Category:Oil spills in the United States San Francisco Bay oil spill Category:Environment of the San Francisco Bay Area Category:Disasters in California Category:Petroleum in California Category:Standard Oil San Francisco Bay oil spill San Francisco Bay oil spill San Francisco Bay oil spill Category:Environmental issues in California Category:History of the San Francisco Bay Area