October Timeline of OC Oil Spill - Pipeline P00547 Incident

October 27, 2021

In accordance with the corrective action PHMSA order, Amplify Energy through their subsidiary, Beta offshore has secured the pipeline from leaking and is proceeding with repair plans in close coordination with the Unified Command. Response efforts continue from Long Beach to La Jolla to include Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Teams (SCAT) and work crews equipped in protective gear, monitoring, inspecting, and spot cleaning the beaches. A separate investigation effort has been established for the cause of the incident.

Collected Oil: Liquid - Offshore: 5,544 gallons, Tarballs - 13.6 bbls, and Shoreline: Oily/Sandy Debris - 520,062 lbs

Species Recovery: 34 Captured, 26 Cleaned, 19 released, 101 DOA, Euthanized or Other 10

5 of 7 federally threatened Snowy Plovers have been released. 

During OCH's ongoing habitat surveys, several tarballs and oiled species have been found and reported in the last week in Huntington Beach and Crystal Cove.

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October 21, 2021

Shoreline  Cleanup and Assessment Technique (SCAT) - State Parks/beaches cleared: Bolsa Chica and Huntington Beach

In process: CdM, Crystal Cove, Doheny, San Juan Capistrano and San Onofre

Using drones to help monitor sites that are unsafe/inaccessible/sensitive 

Rock scraping is happening at several locations in the upper tidal (high beach) 

Many (if not all) Scientific Collectors Permits may have been suspended at this time through CDFW. Check the status of your permits to ensure you are in compliance. 

Collected Oil: Liquid - Offshore: 5,544 gallons, Tarballs - 13.6 bbls, and Shoreline: Oily/Sandy Debris - 490,532 lbs

Species Recovery: 33 Captured, 26 Cleaned, 17 released, 95 DOA, Euthanized or Other 10

5 of 7 federally threatened Snowy Plovers have been released. 

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October 20, 2021

OCH has been surveying both Newport and Huntington Beaches in the last week and although the oil deposits are less obvious we are still seeing dead birds, dirty water, and oil/tar patches along the shore. We caution all beachgoers and dog owners to be careful with exposure to contaminated water and sand and wash your exposed skin and your pets paws thoroughly after contact with water or wet sand. 

 

Dr. Clayton Chau, county Health Officer and county Health Care Agency Director urges caution: “Based on the recent results of our air and water quality samples, we ask that our residents and visitors exercise caution if you are resuming recreational activities at our beaches in order to limit the risk of contaminants being absorbed through the skin, inhalation, or ingestion.”  (Voice of OC)

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The public may encounter tar balls 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 tar balls or oil. A tar ball fact sheet in both English and Spanish can be found at the following location, https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=29232&inline, and see the infographic at the end of this document with more linked factsheets. Please email tarballreports@wildlife.ca.gov or use the “Report Tar balls” link on socalspillresponse.com if oil is observed on the shoreline.

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Oil Spill has been determined to be 24,696 gallons

Collected Oil: Liquid - 5,544 gallons, Tarballs - 13.6 bbls, and Oily/Sandy Debris - 483,892 lbs

Species Recovery: 33 Captured, 26 Cleaned, 10 released, 95 DOA, Euthanized or Other 10

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For a comprehensive list of species and daily updates on impacted wildlife recovered during response activities are available at https://owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/pipeline-p00547-incident

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All boom strategies, with the exception of Talbert Marsh, have been removed as they no longer provide continued environmental benefit (Unified Command Team). Talbert Marsh boom is scheduled to be removed today, October 20th at high tide. 

 

Fisheries Closure
A fisheries closure remains, which prohibits the catch and consumption of any and all fish and
shellfish within the area of the closure. Please see additional fisheries closure information and a
closure map at www.socalspillresponse.com/fisheries-closure.

 

Donations: Ocean Institute, Bolsa Chica Conservancy, OC Coastkeeper, Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy (through OCH) and International Bird Rescue are collecting in-kind and monetary donations to support wildlife rescue. There has been an outpouring of volunteer support (over 10,000 people).If you are unable to help directly with the oil spill, we recommend volunteering with one of our local conservation nonprofits in Orange County, including OC Habitats. 

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​October 14, 2021

• On October 13th, the NOAA Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Program (MMHSRP) regional coordinator reported to the Wildlife Branch that a live northern right whale dolphin had stranded at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro (the west end of LA/Long Beach Harbor). The MMHSRP deployed staff from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) for evaluation. Upon veterinary examination, it was found to be in poor condition and was not a candidate for rehabilitation, so was humanely euthanized in the field. 

• 197 Vessels need to be cleaned of oil

• All OC beaches are open, be careful about touching or ingesting oil saturated water or tarballs on the sand. 

• Update on spill amount: Seven agencies (USCG, PHMSA, California Department of Fish and
  Wildlife, NOAA, California State Lands, State Fire Marshall, and BSEE) agree that the spill was approximately 24,696 gallons. 

• Booming strategies are being evaluated in Bolsa Chica Restored Wetlands, Talbert Marsh, Anaheim Bay, Newport Slough Wetland, Santa Ana River, Aliso Creek to determine if they are continuing to be effective. 

• A fisheries closure remains, which prohibits the catch and consumption of any and all fish
  caught in the area of the closure. Please see additional fisheries closure
  information at www.socalspillresponse.com/fisheries-closure. The revised closure area
  includes:
   Point A (West Jetty of Anaheim Bay; 33° 44.250’ N, 118° 06.000' W) to;
   Point B (offshore; 33° 38.000’ N, 118° 10.000’ W) to;
   Point C (offshore; 33° 11.000’ N, 117° 54.500' W) to;
   Point D (offshore; 33° 11.000’ N, 117° 44.750' W) to;
   Point E (near the southern border of San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant; 33°21.750’
  N, 117° 32.250' W)
  This includes the coastal areas along the boundary, including shorelines; all bays and harbors
  extending from the boundary in an inland direction; and offshore areas enclosed by the
  boundary. This includes fishing from shorelines and boats. OEHHA also advises that fishing be avoided in areas where there is visible sheen on the water. CDFW will re-open fisheries when
  testing determines that the seafood is safe to eat.

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October 12, 2021

• Beachgoers in San Diego and Orange County are advised to be aware that forecasted strong winds this evening and associated wave action may increase the number of tar balls washing ashore. If you see tar balls, please contact our clean up teams at tarballreports@wildlife.ca.gov.Beachgoers in San Diego and Orange County are advised to be aware that forecasted strong winds this evening and associated wave action may increase the number of tar balls washing ashore. If you see tar balls, please contact our clean up teams at tarballreports@wildlife.ca.gov.

• Oil contains hazardous chemicals, and for safety reasons, we ask the public not to handle any tar balls or oil. 

• Containment booms were placed in front of the mouths of the Batiquitos, San Elijo, and San Dieguito lagoons similar to those at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and Santa Margarita River.

• Tarball Report Email:  tarballreports@wildlife.ca.gov  Include latitude and longitude and measurement perspective (pen, shoe, etc)

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October 11, 2021

• Recovered Oil Waste: 5,544 gallons (skimming), 13.6 bbls (tar balls), 270,000lbs (sand/debris)

• Species Recovery: 22 oiled birds are in recovery, 5 oiled birds died after capture, 47 oiled birds were dead on arrival, 9 fish were dead on arrival, No mammals or reptiles have been found to date

• Mouth of Santa Ana river berm was opened up 10.10.21

• Huntington Beach Wetlands Talbert Marsh inlet was opened up 10.8.21

• Huntington Beach City and State beaches have been opened to the public on 10.11.21

• City of Newport and Laguna Beaches are open but advises to steer clear of wet sand and water

• City of Dana Point - all beaches are open except for Capistrano and Poche Beaches (for construction reasons)​

 

October 10, 2021

• To date, 5,544 total gallons of crude oil have been recovered by vessel.

• 13.5 barrels of tar balls were recovered Friday.

• Approximately 232,500 lbs. of oily debris has been recovered from shorelines.

• 11,400 feet of containment boom have been strategically deployed.

• Temporary flight restriction has been lifted (as of Friday, October 8, 2021)

• The size of the leak was estimated to be 144,000 gallons but officials believe it might be less, somewhere between 25,000 and 132,000 gallons. 

• 5 oiled birds have died after capture

• 22 oiled birds were rescued and are recovering at wildlife facilities (7 of which are listed Western Snowy Plover, Charadrius nivosus nivosus)

• Crude oil is drifting south up to 50 miles (San Diego County)

• Crude oil can have long term effects on the ocean and its habitats and species. 

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October 8, 2021

• Of the estimated 144,480 gallons of oil/tar spill, 5544 gallons of oil has been recovered, mainly from the shores of our local beaches.

• 24 oiled birds have been found, 19 of which are in recovery and 5 have died.

• Water testing is being conducted to determine if ocean waters are safe for humans and for the adjacent wetlands that rely on them. 

• Donations are being collected by several groups for recovery and restoration (see above in green)

• For more spill updates visit: For more oil spill updates as of 10/7: bit.ly/3iK7ne7 

 

October 7, 2021

• Volunteer for Cleanups (steps)

• Click here to register to be a California Department of Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources volunteer. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that you'll be deployed. Once you've signed up, the following may happen based on need:

• Within the next few days, a 30-minute training session will be sent to you to prepare you to participate in a "pre-incident cleanup." Before oil impacts a section of shoreline, volunteers are deployed to clean up trash and debris, speeding along restoration efforts done by professionals. The training must be complete before you can help out.

• If the CDFW determines they need assistance removing tarballs, an additional 4-hour training session will be made available. Tarballs are toxic, solid patches of oil that are pushed onto our shorelines by waves. They devastate our shorebirds, such as the beloved Western Snowy Plover.

• You must complete volunteer training before you are deployed as a cleanup volunteer. We urge you to complete these as soon as they are released.

 

October 6, 2021

• CDFW's Unified Command has some volunteer options for trained volunteers and the public. Please visit https://calspillwatch.wildlife.ca.gov/Volunteer/login to find out more and register. When you register you will be prompted to complete a 30 minute training for cleanups and, if needed, a 4 hours training on tar ball removal.  

• Unified command is hoping to have 1,500 people supporting cleanup by the end of the week.

• The Unified Command revealed today that they have identified the source of the leak – a 13” lateral gash was found in the 16” concrete encased pipeline. The pipeline was also displaced by 105 feet.

• Talbert Marsh (one of the HB Wetlands Conservancy marshes) is being hit the hardest of all the inland habitats.

• Bolsa Chica Ecol. Reserve, so far, has no oil within the marsh.

• City of Huntington Beach has launched a webpage with detailed updates of the status of the oil spill. Visit: https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/residents/oil-spill-response/

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October 5, 2021

• Gavin Newsom has declared a local state of emergency for Orange County due to Pipeline P00547 Incident (Huntington Beach) - October 2021 Oil Spill.

• Donations: Ocean Institute, Bolsa Chica Conservancy, OC Coastkeeper, Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy (through OCH) and International Bird Rescue are collecting in-kind and monetary donations to support wildlife rescue. If you are interested in helping- https://socalspillresponse.com/.

• Southern California Fisheries are Closed until the Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has determined otherwise

• Beach Closures: Huntington Beach (City and State), Crystal Cove, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach (soft close)

• Volunteer Opportunities will come, once we have clearance to get the public on the ground we will post our opportunities here, our social media, and via email.  

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October 3, 2021 - Oil Spill occurred off the coast of Huntington Beach; Pipeline P00547 Incident