Spill Update

 

UPDATE # 10 October 19, 2004   2 p.m.

DALCO PASSAGE SPILL CLEANUP CONTINUES

 

The following provides updated information about the oil spill that occurred at Dalco Passage near Commencement Bay at about 1 a.m. Oct. 14, 2004.

 

 Joint information center to close: 

 

The joint information center will close today at 6 p.m.  News media assistance will remain available from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Washington Department of Ecology as follows:

 

Cleanup and wildlife information:  Larry Altose, Department of Ecology public information officer, 425-649-7009, after Oct. 20.  Note:  On Oct. 20, please call the Coast Guard number below for all Dalco Passage Spill information.

 

Investigation information: Coast Guard Puget Sound Marine Safety Office, 206-391-6705

 

General public information:

 

The Coast Guard has opened a general information phone line for the Dalco Passage Spill:  206-391-6705.   Use this number to:

 

Update information:

 

Location of oil:  No more oil has been observed on open waters.  Patches of brownish organic matter seen on area waters can appear like oil sheen, but are natural.  A filmy coating remains on southern Vashon and Maury Island beaches.

 

Status of cleanup: On-water cleanup has ended, and skimming vessels and decontamination crews are cleaning their equipment.  Beach cleanup will continue over the coming weeks on southern Vashon and Maury Islands, which received the heaviest concentrations of oil.    

 

Command center closure:  The current incident command center will pack up and close on Wednesday.  The unified command expresses its deep appreciation to the Tacoma Fire Department for making space available at its Fire Training Center these past six days.  The unified command led by the U.S. Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology, will continue to oversee the response effort, and maintain its commitment to do everything possible to reduce the effects from the spill to the environment and wildlife, with safety to cleanup crews and public safety a major priority. This is a coordinated effort between state, tribal, local and federal agencies. 

 

Cost of Cleanup: The total cost of the cleanup is $ 1.4 million thus far. Federal agencies have funded approximately 90 percent of the cost, while Washington state has paid ten percent.

 

Is your boat oiled?  If you suspect that your vessel has been oiled by the Dalco Passage Spill, please call the Coast Guard public affairs office at 206-391-6705 to arrange for an inspection and, if needed, a professional cleaning.

 

Type of oil: Oil product unknown

 

Amount of oil: Estimated 1,000 gallons

 

Responsible Party: Unknown

 

Cause or source of the spill: Unknown

 

Resources at risk: There are several eelgrass beds, shallow sub tidal areas, baitfish spawning beaches, and salt marsh habitats in the area. This is a major feeding area for birds, however at this time bird concentrations are lower than usual.  Possible impacts are being evaluated.

 

Oiled wildlife: One oiled Western Grebe was recovered from Des Moines marina Friday afternoon. The bird was washed at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society wildlife treatment center in Lynnwood, Wash. today. The seal pup that died Saturday night was evaluated by NOAA Fisheries Sunday; however, the results have not been released.  

 

Non-spill related wildlife impact: One non-oiled dead seal pup was found north of Robinson Point on Monday.  Two non-oiled dead seal pups were found on Saturday.  One was a mile south of Normandy Park and the other was found on the western shore of Vashon Island.  All have been transferred to NOAA Fisheries for evaluation. The results of the evaluation are not available at this time.

 

Weather/Seas:  Rain, temperatures in the mid 50’s, one-to-two foot waves.

 

Organizations involved: U.S. Coast Guard, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U. S. Navy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and other state and local agencies.

 

Spill Response Statistics

The following is a listing of the people, equipment and resources that are being used in responding to the Dalco Passage spill (as of 10/18/04):

 

Shoreline currently affected:

With light sheen:  5 miles

With a film coating:  1 mile 

 

Workboats:  4

Skimmers:  There are no plans to use skimmers today because no oil thick enough to recover remains on the water.

 

Boom deployed:  12,900 feet

Most of this boom will be removed today as conditions permit, except in Quartermaster Harbor, Olalla Bay and a geoduck bed at northeastern Vashon Island.  (The 9,900 feet of protection boom reported yesterday omitted some boom used by the U.S. Navy in the Yukon Bay area.) 

                       

Helicopters:  1

 

Personnel: Today about 116 people are responding to the spill, 30 at the command center and 86 in the field.  

 

Recovered product:

Oily water:  6,842 gallons

Oily debris:  35 tons

 

The Joint Information Center and Unified Command are located at Tacoma Fire Department Training Center, 2124 Marshall Avenue, Tacoma, Wash.

 

 

Information numbers:

            Injured wildlife reporting line: 1-800-22BIRDS (222-4737)

            Damage Claims: 1-800-280-7118

            News Media Only: (253) 591-5960 until 6 p.m. tonight.

 

 

 

 

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