Media Update 1: Recovered Oil Line Leak Response

Media Update #1

RICHMOND, Calif., February 10, 2021 — A Unified Command (UC) consisting of federal, state and local agencies, including Chevron, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response, Contra Costa Health Services, and the U.S. Coast Guard continues to address the incident.

At 7 a.m. on February 10, a Coast Guard helicopter crew and pollution responders conducted a first light over flight. The report indicated sheening from Point Molate to Brooks Island with the impact centered near Keller Beach. Response teams were deployed to this area for further shoreline assessment.

Two public access sites on Western Drive and Keller Beach are closed at this time to protect the public and allow the response crews to focus on their work.

Efforts are still underway to determine the official amount of product and composition discharged.

PUBLIC HEALTH

The Unified Command is actively monitoring the situation to evaluate any potential public health issues related to the incident. The public health order issued by Contra Costa County Health was rescinded at 9 p.m. February 9.

For additional questions or concerns regarding public health, please check the County Health Alerts at https://cchealth.org

An hourly VHF channel 16 broadcast is advising Mariners to maintain distance from the impacted area while clean-up operations continue.

ENVIRONMENT

Sheening along the southeast side of Point Richmond has been reported and response teams will be dispatched to minimize further impacts. Approximately 1200’ of containment boom and 600’ of deflection boom have been deployed. Additional boom is being placed preventatively in sensitive areas and there has been no reported impact in those areas.

While no oiled animals have been reported at this time, the public should not approach potentially oiled wildlife encounters and instead report sightings to the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-UCD-OWCN (1-800-823-6926).

VOLUNTEERS

Public volunteers are not currently needed.  For updated volunteer information, a Volunteer Hotline has been established at 800-228-4544.