Spills and Events
Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDA)
Torch/Platform Irene Oil Spill
| LOCATION |
offshore and coastline, northern Santa Barbara County |
| DATE |
September 28, 1997 |
| INCIDENT SUMMARY |
An undersea pipeline, linking the offshore oil platform Irene with
the mainland, ruptured, releasing oil into the ocean. This oil formed
surface slicks and washed ashore, primarily at Surf Beach, Vandenberg
Air Force Base. |
| RESPONSIBLE PARTY |
Torch Operating Company |
| NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTREE |
California Dept. of Fish and Game; California State Lands Commission;
United States Fish and Wildlife
Service; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
United States Dept. of Defense (Vandenberg Air Force Base) |
| RESOURCES IMPACTED |
birds (over 700 estimated killed);
sandy and rocky shoreline habitat; recreational beach use |
| SETTLEMENT DETAILS |
The trustees settled the NRDA portion of the case for $1.9 million. |
| STATUS OF RESTORATION |
Trustee Council prepared draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment dated March 13, 2006 and is for review and public comments will be accepted through June 21, 2006. April 19, 2006 a public workshop was held to solicit cements on the draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment. |
AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS:
Scoping Document for Restoration Planning For Public Review and Comment - October 20, 2004
News Release: Public Workshop for Platform Irene Oil Spill Restoration to be held April 19 (04-14-06)
April 19, 2006 RestorationPlan/Environmental Assessment Workshop Agenda
Final Torch Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment - October 24, 2007
For more information, contact Melissa Boggs-Blalack at OSPR at mboggs@ospr.dfg.ca.gov.
The Torch Trustee Council administrative record can be viewed at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office located at 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003 and phone is (805) 644-1766.
