CCC Beach Cleanup

We read with interest your article (Aug. 27) on the efforts to clean up the Avila Beach oil spill. However, one large group of workers, not mentioned, is deserving of attention.

Members of the California Conservation Corps devoted more than three weeks and 12,000 hours to the recovery work, including water and beach cleanup, and bird rescue operations. These young people put in long, hot, grimy days without a complaint. Instead, they approached their tasks with enthusiasm and a sense of purpose and pride.

With assistance and funding from the oil industry, the CCC has developed an intensive oil spill training curriculum for its corps members. The result is a ready “strike force,” on call throughout the state for cleanup activities. Our work with Unocal at Avila Beach has demonstrated the success of this public/private partnership.

R. A. BERNHEIMER

Interim Director

California Conservation Corps

Sacramento