The Coalition for Buzzards Bay is hosting an informational
update on the Bourchard-120 oil spill in Buzzards Bay at the New Bedford
Whaling Museum on Saturday May 3rd, from 8:00 am to Noon.
The morning will consist of a community briefing by the US Coast Guard and other agencies involved in the clean-up and restoration efforts, followed by a discussion about the short- and long-term effects of oil on the Buzzards Bay ecosystem.
The event is free and open to the general public.
Registration will begin at 8 am, at which time agencies involved in the clean-up effort will have information booths set up to field questions and concerns, followed by a briefing by the US Coast Guard Unified Command at 9 am. Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will present and answer questions about the short- and long-term impact of oil spills on the health of Buzzards Bay. Seth Kaplan from the Conservation Law Foundation will discuss the long-term impacts of fossil fuel use on the global and local environment.
The Agenda for the day:
| 8:00 am | Registration / Open House |
| 9:00 am | Oil Spill Briefing by Coast Guard Unified Command |
| 9:30 am | Open House: agencies involved in clean-up and restoration efforts will have informational booths set up. |
| 10:30 am | Oil Spill Clean-up and Effects of No. 6 Fuel on Buzzard Bay: Steven Lehman, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
| 11:15 am | Current research on Bourchard-120 Oil Spill and historical effects of oil spills on Buzzards Bay: Chris Reddy, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution |
| 12:00 pm | Effects of fossils fuels on the global environment: Seth Kaplan, Conservation Law Foundation |
| 12:45 pm | 15th Annual Meeting of The Coalition for Buzzards Bay |
Directions to Whaling Museum: 195- E or W, take Exit 15 for Rt. 18 S. Turn right on Elm Street and take second left - Bethel St., which becomes Johnny Cake Hill. Museum is on second block. On street parking available, as well as in Elm Street Garage.
How You Can Help
Help us track where the Buzzards Bay oil spill is washing up on shore and keep a look out for stranded wildlife. If you see oil on the shore or oil covered wildlife call our oil response hotline 508-999-6363 x207.
Do not try to clean up the oil or handle
the wildlife, we
will contact the appropriate clean-up teams to handle the hazardous material
and troubled animals.