HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-02; Orange County Pipeline Oil Spill Incident, Report No. 7 (Districts - All); Harrison, DavidTo the members of the:
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Dec. 2,2021
Council Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor Hall and bers of the City Council
From: David Harrison, Assistant Direc r of Emergency Services
Via: Scott Chadwick, City Manag r
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID #2021221
Re: Orange County Pipeline Oil nt, Report No. 7 {Districts -All)
This memorandum provides information on the Orange County pipeline oil spill and its impacts.
It focuses on information and actions that are current and/or new since the last update.
Background Updates
The Unified Command continues its response to the crude oil spill off the Orange County coast
that has affected San Diego County. Shorelines remain in various stages of assessment, cleanup,
inspection and the signoff process.
On Nov. 20, media reported a 30-by-70-foot oil sheen off the coast of Orange County. Unified
Command reported that crews scheduled for planned work on the pipeline observed and
reported such a sheen as they approached the line. Divers conducting the planned assessments
discovered small oil droplets on the material being used to repair the line. Unified Command
deployed assets to investigate but was unable to locate a sheen. No shoreline impacts were
expected. A new epoxy-type sealant wrap was installed on the pipe.
Amplify Energy Corp., the responsible party in this incident, has submitted the required
proposed repair plan to the federal Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration for
approval.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife lifted fisheries closures related to this incident
effective at noon on Nov. 30.
Beach inspection and cleanup transition
Staff completed four independent shoreline spot inspections focusing on North Carlsbad Beach
since the last Council Memorandum. No oil was observed.
As of Nov. 29, the Unified Command had completed and signed off 65% off all incident-related
shoreline cleanup inspections. The Unified Command has signed off on 66% of San Diego
County shoreline inspections, and 86% {6 of 7 shoreline segment inspections) in Carlsbad.
Carlsbad Fire Department
2560 Orion Way I Carlsbad, CA 92010 I 760-931-2141
Council Memo -Orange County Pipeline Oil Spill Incident, Report No. 7 (Districts -All)
Dec.2,2021
Page 2
The final Carlsbad segment inspection, stretching from the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Jetties south
to beaches west of Palomar Airport Road, was conducted on Dec. 1. The inspection team
included representatives from the Coast Guard, California Fish and Wildlife, California State
Parks lifeguards and City of Carlsbad staff. Although only a fraction of a bag (less than 2 lbs.) of
oily waste was recovered over the 1.6 mile segment, the team concluded it failed to meet
beach "end point" cleanliness standards, as more than five 1-inch tar balls were found in one
100-yard stretch. The team recommended further cleaning and inspection of the beach at a
date to be determined. Although invited, NRG, the operator of the power plant, did not
particip·ate. The inspection report will be forwarded to the Unified Command for approval.
Staff have requested, and Unified Command has agreed to provide, copies of the sign-off
reports once approved.
The post sign-off response plan for this incident was approved by the Unified Command on Nov
17.
Cleanup summary:
• Nov. 20: Four bags of oily waste removed from the segment extending from the Agua
Hedionda jetties south to the beach west of Palomar Airport Road.
• Nov. 21: One bag of oily waste removed from that segment of shoreline.
Continuing actions
• Extended tar ball monitoring and reporting (including resident reporting). (To report tar
and/or oil contamination, people can email: tarballreports@wildlife.ca.gov)
• Continuing coordination with the Unified Command and San Diego County Office of
Emergency Services
• Public information sharing
Potential community interests or concerns
• Continuing occurrence of tar balls for weeks and months
• Financial impacts and recovery (Community members impacted by the oil spill who need
to file a claim can call 866-985-8366)
• Future of offshore oil operations: On Nov. 16, the San Diego County Board of
Supervisors voted unanimously to support Representative Mike Levin's congressional
bill aimed at prohibiting new offshore oil drilling in Southern California.
Barring significant changes, this will be the final report for this incident.
Cc: Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Council Memo -Orange County Pipeline Oil Spill Incident, Report No. 7 (Districts -All)
Dec.2,2021
Page 3
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief
Mickey Williams, Police Chief
David Graham, Chief Innovation Officer
Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director
Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director