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American Trader Oil Spill

LOCATION: Huntington Beach, Orange County
DATE: February 7, 1990
INCIDENT SUMMARY: The oil tanker American Trader ran over its anchor, puncturing its hull and spilling an estimated 416,598 gallons of crude oil.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY: British Petroleum, Attransco, Golden West Refining Co.
NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEES:
- Recreational Component: California Department of Fish & Game; Department of Parks and Recreation; City of Newport Beach, City of Huntington Beach; Orange County.
- Biological Component: California Dept. of Fish and Game; United States Fish and Wildlife Service; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
RESOURCES IMPACTED: Birds (3,400 estimated killed); fish; recreational beach use.
SETTLEMENT DETAILS: The case was divided into two components: recreational impacts and biological impacts. The recreational component of the case went to trial, where a jury award was eventually settled for $11.6 million. The biological component of the case was settled out of court for $3.45 million for bird and fish-related injuries, plus an additional $360,000 for water monitoring projects.
STATUS OF RESTORATION:
- Recreational Component: One final project in implementation. Select Back Bay Science Center link below to see one of the completed projects.
- Biological Component: Projects completed.

Steve Hampton
Email: shampton@ospr.dfg.ca.gov
Phone: 916-323-4724

Page Last Updated: July 1, 2011