"San Francisco -- The shipping companies responsible for the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill, which polluted San Francisco Bay and killed thousands of birds and fish, have agreed to pay $44.4 million to restore habitat and reimburse the agencies that responded to the disaster, state and federal officials announced Monday."

"The settlement resolves a federal lawsuit and requires Regal Stone Limited and Fleet Management Ltd. to compensate local, state and federal agencies for the loss of recreational opportunities. The money will be used to improve coastal access and restore facilities, habitat and fisheries that were damaged, officials said.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said at a Treasure Island news conference that the settlement 'sends a message to polluters that there is a price to pay.'"

Peter Fimrite reports for the San Francisco Chronicle September 19, 2011. [2]