Orange County Oil Spill: Drilling is Killing
October 7, 2021
via LA Times: A sign warns visitors to stay out of the water because of the oil spill at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
The 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill was a main driver for our fundamental environmental laws, and yet, since this turning point, we’ve continued to see a never-ending parade of spills off our coast …and now another massive oil spill has hit Orange County, endangering the local environment, communities, ecology, and wildlife.
The environmental disaster that spilled ~144,000 gallons (and counting) of crude oil into the ocean off Orange County has once again highlighted the dangers of oil drilling. The oil spill, which was first reported on Saturday, Oct. 2, was caused by a pipeline leak from offshore platform “Elly,” run by Amplify Energy in federal waters. While there has been no federal oil and gas leasing in waters off of California since 1984, many of the oil platforms on our shores are more than 40 years old, and to make matters worse this is the 2nd major pipeline breakage in Southern California waters in the last 6 years- the Refugio oil spill in 2015 resulted in 142,000 gallons of oil in the Santa Barbara coastline.
“So much of that infrastructure is old and corroded. [The platforms] should have been decommissioned...it’s not a robust system of oversight.”
via LA Times. Environmental cleanup crews search the beach, cleaning up oil chunks from a major oil spill in Huntington Beach on Oct. 5, 2021. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
While we wait for more information on how and why the pipe broke, the more pressing message from the situation is that California needs to completely phase out offshore drilling. This disaster underscores our dire need to transition away from fossil fuels much sooner than California’s 2045 goal. Where you drill, you spill- and once again our precious ecosystem and wildlife had to pay the price for an unsatisfactory, we told you so. With the climate crisis accelerating, we cannot afford to create ecological disasters, which hamper our ocean's ability to absorb carbon (the ocean currently absorbs ¼ of the CO2 we create in burning fossil fuels) and produce precious, life-giving oxygen (50-80% of oxygen production on earth). While great efforts have been made by activists to hold oil companies accountable, we’ll continue to see environmentally disastrous spills unless our state and federal agencies and representatives take action.
“We used to have a disaster like a major oil spill that highlighted a problem, and we’d say ‘let’s fix the problem.’ We don’t seem to be doing that anymore ”
If California is truly looking to lead in the climate movement, our leadership needs to take a stand and remove drilling on and off our shores. The climate alarm has been ringing, and 2045 is not soon enough to phase out fossil fuels. It’s time our elected officials and agencies listened.
We stand in solidarity with the communities impacted by the spill and with our sister organization Orange County Coastkeeper (OCCK), who are amid the situation and fighting for accountability.
via LA Times. A swimmer called in by a lifeguard emerges from oily water onto the fouled beach at the border of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Updates on OC Oil Spill via Unified Command:
As of 10/15:
5,544 gallons of product have been recovered additionally, 135,000 lbs of oily sand and debris have been collected from the shoreline.
The estimated spill amount is approximately 24,696 gallons.
Spill Source: The ruptured pipe remains shut down, and the leak location has been identified. An approximately 4,000 ft. section of the pipeline was moved 105 ft from its station. It’s still unclear how the pipeline ruptured and when the damage was done- investigation still going.
Harbor & Beach Closures: All harbors and State Parks are open- including Huntington Beach. The decision comes after coastal, ocean & wetlands water quality testing results showed non-detectable amounts of oil-associated toxins. LA Waterkeeper still advises residents and visitors to avoid contact with ocean water and oiled areas of the beach.
Fisheries Closure: Fisheries closure remains. Catch and consumption of finfish and shellfish caught in the area of the closure are prohibited. the Department of Fish and Wildlife and OEHHA are now advising that fishers avoid fishing in areas where there is a visible sheen on the water. Please see additional fisheries closure information here.
Wildlife Impact: The spill has had a significant ecological impact on Southern CA’s coastal, estuary, and lagoon habitats and wildlife. Wildlife Branch Operations are continuing daily, monitoring the shoreline and on-water for affected wildlife. For a comprehensive list of species and daily updates on impacted wildlife recovered during spill response activities are available here.
Environmental Impact (Tarballs): The public may encounter tarballs on San Diego and Orange County beaches. Oil contains hazardous chemicals, and for safety reasons, community members should NOT attempt to touch/pick up any tarballs or oil. If skin contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water or baby oil. Avoid using solvents, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, or similar products on the skin. These products, when applied to skin, present a greater health hazard than the tarball itself. An email address has been activated to receive reports of beach oiling from the community. A tar ball fact sheet in both English and Spanish can be found at the following location here.
Please email tarballreports@wildlife.ca.gov or use the “Report Tarballs” link on socalspillresponse.com if oil is observed on the shoreline, and include the following information in the email:
1) Date the oil was observed
2) Time the oil was observed
3) Specific location of the observed oil (preferably GPS coordinates)
4) A few descriptive photographs of the oil
5) Estimated quantity
6) Contact information for follow-up
Tribal Relations & Cultural/ Historic Resources: Tribal Monitors, as well as a Historic Property Specialist, have been integrated into the response group. Cultural Resource Monitors will be coordinating to ensure the protection of their sacred and cultural sites and resources.
Stay informed! Check out:
How to help!
Volunteer Opportunities:
The California Department for Fish & Wildlife- Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) is now accepting public volunteers to assist with tasks related to the oil spill cleanup efforts. Learn more and register here.
If you are not volunteering, please AVOID impacted areas.
Report Oiled Wildlife
For your safety and the safety of the animals, the public is asked to not attempt to capture oiled animals. Report ALL oiled wildlife to the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (877-823-6926) or Pacific Marine Mammal Center (949-494-3050). Other wildlife groups: International Bird Rescue, Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center.
Support & Donate
Help some of the organizations who are doing great work on-site rescuing wildlife, cleaning our coast, and fighting for accountability and clean water in Orange County.
via LA Times. Cleanup crews mop up oil on the sand at Huntington State Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)