‘Catastrophic’ California Oil Spill Kills Fish, Damages Wetlands, Reports Reuters

By Gene Blevins and Jonathan Allen

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – A substantial oil spill off the southern California coast has resulted in the deaths of fish, birds contaminated with petroleum, and polluted wetlands, prompting local officials to label it an environmental catastrophe.

The U.S. Coast Guard is leading a comprehensive clean-up effort that includes federal, state, and city agencies. On Sunday, they announced a 24-hour investigation into the circumstances surrounding the spill.

An estimated 126,000 gallons (approximately 3,000 barrels) have created an oil slick that spreads across roughly 13 square miles of the Pacific Ocean since the incident was first reported on Saturday morning, according to Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr. She described the situation as a "potential ecological disaster" and highlighted that the city, situated about 40 miles south of Los Angeles, is suffering the most from the spill.

Carr stated, "Our wetlands are being degraded and portions of our coastline are now covered in oil." The spill originated from a breach linked to the Elly oil rig and affected an area popular with surfers and beachgoers, stretching from the Huntington Beach Pier to Newport Beach.

In response to the spill, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced a fishery closure in the impacted coastal regions, extending from Huntington Beach to Dana Point and covering up to six miles offshore.

The Elly oil rig is operated by Beta Offshore, a California subsidiary of Amplify Energy Corporation, based in Houston. Efforts to reach representatives from Beta and Amplify for comment have been unsuccessful. Mayor Carr emphasized the need for the responsible parties to take urgent action to mitigate the impact of the disaster.

Martyn Willsher, CEO of Amplify Energy, indicated during a press conference that the pipeline had been shut down, and remaining oil had been suctioned out. Divers continue to investigate the source and reasons for the spill.

U.S. Representative Michelle Steel, representing part of the affected area, sent a letter to President Biden requesting a major disaster declaration for Orange County, which would unlock federal funds for clean-up efforts. Steel described the incident as "a really serious disaster."

Cottie Petrie-Norris, a Democratic state assembly member, expressed grave concerns regarding the spill’s impact on the environment, local communities, and the economy. She stated that this incident underscores the urgent need to halt drilling along California’s coast.

Since the 1990s, oil production off California’s coast has declined significantly due to strict environmental regulations. Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed a desire to end all oil drilling in the state by 2045. Restrictions on offshore drilling were implemented after a devastating 1969 oil spill off Santa Barbara that released 80,000 barrels into the ocean.

Oceana, an ocean conservation organization, is also advocating for an end to offshore oil and gas drilling. Jacqueline Savitz, their chief policy officer, remarked that the recent spill exemplifies the pressing need to protect coastlines from future catastrophes caused by the oil industry.

The incident took place in federal waters, and a coordinated response is underway, led by the U.S. Coast Guard, with involvement from various agencies. On Sunday, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley reported that oil had penetrated the Talbert Marsh ecological reserve, causing "significant damage."

Beaches in the area were closed for swimming, and a local air show was canceled. Nevertheless, some visitors were undeterred, choosing to set up chairs on the beach or stroll along the pier on a sunny Sunday.

Carr noted that officials had deployed 2,050 feet of protective booms to help contain and slow the spread of the oil. The U.S. Coast Guard, in conjunction with local and state agencies, conducted aerial assessments and deployed boats for evaluation. So far, approximately 3,150 gallons of oil have been recovered from the water. Ongoing investigations aim to determine the cause of the spill and the type of oil involved.