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Spill Update
Dalco Passage Spill
UPDATE # 11
October 22, 2004 12 p.m.
DALCO PASSAGE SPILL CLEANUP CONTINUES
The following provides updated information about the oil spill reported at Dalco Passage near Commencement Bay at about 1 a.m. Oct. 14, 2004.
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. Beaches on southern Vashon and Maury Island show little outward sign of oiling.
Status of cleanup: Beach cleanup will continue over the coming weeks on southern Vashon and Maury Islands. Crews continue to maintain absorbent boom in these areas, which attract and capture oil released by tides and wave action. Next week teams will conduct the most detailed beach inspections to date to identify places where oil contamination may be concealed.
Cost of Cleanup: The estimated total cost of the cleanup is $ 1.6 million thus far.
Shellfish advisory continues: The Washington State Department of Health announced the beaches impacted by the oil spill remain under a precautionary closure for the harvest of clams, oysters and other intertidal species, including seaweed. Testing will be conducted to determine when harvesting can resume, after clean up activities are completed. The department is updating recreational harvest advisories as needed. The advisories can be viewed on the Department of Health Web site (http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/Pubs/dalco-oil-spill.htm) (link removed 11/16/05). Clams and oysters found in restaurants and markets have been harvested from areas unaffected by the oil spill and are safe to eat.
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; under investigation.
Amount of oil: Estimated 1,000 gallons
Responsible Party: Unknown; under investigation.
Cause or source of the spill: Unknown; under investigation.
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 Oct. 15. The bird is receiving care at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society wildlife treatment center in Lynnwood, Wash. A seal pup that had oil on part of its fur was taken for treatment, but died Oct. 16 at the PAWS treatment center. It is being evaluated by NOAA Fisheries, and results are not yet available.
Non-spill related wildlife impact: One non-oiled dead seal pup was found north of Robinson Point on Oct. 18. Two non-oiled dead seal pups were found on Oct. 16. 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, and results are not available at this time.
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, other state, local and tribal 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 10/22/04):
Shoreline currently affected:
With light sheen: 5 miles
With a film coating: 1 mile
Boom deployed: 2,000 feet in Quartermaster Harbor, to be removed this afternoon, conditions permitting.
Personnel: Today about 86 people are working in the field. The number will decline over the weekend as crews finish cleaning vessels, boom and other equipment that has been used in the spill response effort. With the closure of the command center Wednesday, no count is available of the people coordinating the response.
Recovered product:
Oily water: 6,842 gallons
Oily debris: 35 tons
Information numbers:
Injured wildlife reporting line: 1-800-22BIRDS (222-4737)
Damage Claims: 1-800-280-7118
News Media Only:
Cleanup, wildlife: Larry Altose, Dept. of Ecology public information, 425-649-7009
Shellfish: Bill Cleland, public health advisor, Washington State Dept. of Health, 360-236-3306
Investigation: Coast Guard spill information line: 206-391-6705
General public: Coast Guard spill information line: 206-391-6705
Use this line for: tips to spill investigators, report if your boat is oiled, or other questions.