Digital Extra

Four days after this surprise assault on the environment, the death toll and casualties continue to rise dramatically. For about three dozen volunteers who gathered at Narragansett Town Beach yesterday afternoon, the task was to comb the coastline, searching for the thousands of dead, dying and injured lobsters, surf clams, loons and starfish.

"It's really important we get to places even up into the Bay a little bit, Beavertail, Black Point, and be observers. To get where the state and federal people can't get right now," said Jeff Neild of Save the Bay.

However, he warned the small army of environmental warriors that this is a dangerous job and that the oil is just as much a hazard to humans as it is to wildlife. "You are doing this at your own risk and at your own caution."

Armed with ski caps, warm gloves and a deep concern for saving their shoreline and its inhabitants, the group split up, peered over maps and headed out to Bonnet Shores, Scarborough Beach, Napatree Point, and Point Judith Pond.

Jon Erickson was one of the volunteers.

"I figure the more the better. Who's going to do it if we don't," Erickson said. Erickson, who has lived on Great Island for 15 years, was heading back to what essentially is his backyard, to assess the loss and report back to Save the Bay with his findings. "It's really pretty nasty."

Riley Young of Save the Bay said the phones have been ringing off the hook and everyone wants to help, but she emphasized that right now they can't put everyone to work. "We're trying to make sure there is no duplication of effort," Young said.

She advised people who call to leave their name and number. Volunteers will be notified as needed, but for now Save the Bay is still trying to prioritize efforts.

Those who showed up at Town Beach yesterday were given an assessment form to use while they toured the beaches and ponds. Volunteers were told that if they came into contact with injured wildlife, they should not touch it and they should immediately call the Department of Environmental Management or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At the same time they were asked to document what they saw, whether it be animals, marinelife that has washed ashore, or sheening oil, and mail their surveys back to Save the Bay.

She said it was important to do these counts so that the state will be compensated for the great loss it has sustained.

"We're trying to do the best we can do," said Young. "This is the best thing we can do."

Laurie Behr of Narragansett, and her two sons, Kyle, 4, and Jonathan, 6, came to give their support. "I think it's very important. You just feel it so personally," Behr said. "You want to get out and do something. It's too depressing to sit home and watch the news."