About 126,000 gallons of oil spilled along Calif.

coast in “potential ecological disaster”

By Harry Baker, Live Science, Future plc on 10.12.21
Word Count 614
Level MAX

A major oil spill off the coast of Southern California fouled popular beaches and killed wildlife while crews scrambled to contain the crude
before it spread further into protected wetlands. Photo: Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Photo: Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP

Around 573,000 liters (126,000 gallons) of crude oil has spilled from a ruptured pipeline off the
California coast and begun washing up on beaches and wetlands, along with several dead animals.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported the spill at 9 a.m. local time on October 2 after boaters noticed a
sheen on the ocean surface, according to CNN. The oil slick now covers around 33.7 square
kilometers (13 square miles) and has begun washing up on the shoreline between Huntington
Beach and Newport Beach, causing widespread beach closures that could last for weeks or months,
according to Reuters.

"In a year that has been filled with incredibly challenging issues, this oil spill constitutes one of the
most devastating situations that our community has dealt with in decades," Kim Carr, the mayor

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of Huntington Beach, told the Associated Press. She also described the spill as an "environmental
catastrophe" and said that it could become a "potential ecological disaster."

Officials believe the oil originated from a leak in an underwater pipeline connected to an offshore
drilling facility owned by Beta Offshore, a subsidiary of Houston-based Amplify Energy. The
company has shut off the pipeline and suctioned out all the remaining oil to prevent further
spillage. The company also sent a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to the site to determine exactly
what went wrong, according to an Amplify Energy statement.

A wide-scale clean-up including both federal and state agencies is now well underway. "This
response is currently a 24/7 operation and response efforts are scheduled to continue until federal
and state officials determine that the response to the crude oil spill is complete," the U.S. Coast
Guard told CNN.

However, there are fears that the spill could have

wide-reaching implications for marine wildlife.
Already, several dead oil-covered fish and birds have
been found in the area, with many more unconfirmed
reports starting to come in, officials with the City of
Huntington Beach said in a statement.

Wildlife experts are also warning of long-term

environmental problems as a result of the spill. "It has
long-lasting effects on the breeding and reproduction
of animals," Miyoko Sakashita, director of the Center
for Biological Diversity's oceans program, told AP News. "It's really sad to see this broad swatch
oiled."

Local conservationists are particularly worried about several protected wetland habitats in the
area, which are home to numerous bird species, including the snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus)
and the California least tern (Sternula antillarum browni), which are both listed as endangered
under the Endangered Species Act, according to AP News.

"The oil has already infiltrated many of our wetlands in Huntington Beach and the Talbert area,"
Katrina Foley, an Orange County supervisor, told CNN. "And we want to do everything we can to
prevent it from intruding into that area even further."

Around 610 meters (2,000 feet) of protective booms — floating barriers that contain oil spills —
have been released at seven wetland locations in an attempt to limit the amount of oil that pollutes
them, according to the City of Huntington Beach statement.

The Coast Guard is also using absorbent booms to remove oil from the water's surface but so far
they have only removed around 11,400 liters (3,000 gallons) of oil, just 2.4 percent of the amount
spilled, according to Reuters.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has ordered a fisheries closure in waters up to six
miles (10 kilometers) off the coast due to fears that oil may also contaminate seafood and cause
public health problems, according to Reuters.

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Quiz

1 Read the selection from the article.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has ordered a fisheries closure in waters up to six
miles (10 kilometers) off the coast due to fears that oil may also contaminate seafood and cause
public health problems, according to Reuters.

Which conclusion can be drawn from the selection?

(A) Local fisheries are experiencing a severe economic downturn from the spill.

(B) The effects of the oil spill extend beyond the ocean where the oil spilled.

(C) The government is not doing enough to safeguard the health of local residents.

(D) The oil from the spill is becoming increasingly challenging to contain.

2 Which claim does the author support the LEAST?

(A) Amplify Energy is taking responsibility for the oil spill.

(B) Local officials are taking the oil spill seriously.

(C) The oil spill will have lasting environmental effects.

(D) The oil spill will take a long time to fully clean up.

3 Which option accurately summarizes HOW local conservationists feel about the oil spill?

(A) They are concerned the spill will affect endangered species living in nearby wetlands.

(B) They are demanding that Amplify Energy pay for the damages to local animal habitats.

(C) They are frustrated with the Coast Guard and the city’s cleanup response.

(D) They are trying to educate the public on the importance of protecting local wildlife.

4 How does the author describe the Coast Guard over the course of the article?

(A) by arguing they are not doing enough to clean up the spill quickly and effectively

(B) by describing how they are cooperating with city officials

(C) by explaining how they are tracking the spill and its cleanup

(D) by suggesting they are not holding Amplify Energy accountable

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