Waterkeeper Alliance forms National Committee on Deepwater Horizon Spill

 In response to the ever-growing national implications of the April 20th BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Waterkeeper Alliance has convened a new committee comprised of veteran Waterkeepers all of whom have direct experience with catastrophic oil spills. The goals of this ad-hoc committee are primarily to support the Gulf Coast Waterkeeper programs in their immediate response to this event, and also to provide information, guidance, and communications support to the affected programs and communities.

 The Committee is chaired by NY/NJ Baykeeper Emeritus Andy Willner, and includes Casco Baykeeper Joe Payne, Cook Inletkeeper Bob Shavelson, Delaware Riverkeeper Maya van Rossum, Narragansett Baykeeper John Torgan, San Francisco Baykeeper Deb Self, and SF Baykeeper Emeritus Mike Herz. Combined, these Waterkeepers have more than a century of oil spill experience.

 "We're all affected by this spill- responding to it must be a national priority," said Chair Andy Willner. "We're pulling together some of the most knowledgable people in the world on oil spills to make sure we give this our very best effort."

 Among the issues the new Committee is tackling are public access to Incident Command and information, volunteer management, training, and getting legal and technical guidance and support to the people who need it. The group has been conferencing daily, and will continue to meet as needed throughout the crisis.