Spill Update

“248-P2”

For Immediate Release                        

Contact:  Joint Information Center, 206-546-7162

January 1, 2004

3:00 p.m. Release # 8

Spill Status Report as of Jan. 1, 2004, 3:00 p.m.

Response activities overview:

Today’s cleanup is focusing on the north shore of Port Madison in Kitsap County.  More than 60 workers are cleaning oil from the beach and lagoon area at the Doe-kag-wats estuary. 

Clean-up crews collected 300 40-pound bags of “pom-pom” sorbents Tuesday and Wednesday from the Port Madison north shore. A pom-pom is a type of plastic clean-up boom that absorbs oil and looks like cheerleading pom-poms.

The only areas with oil on the water are near Doe-kag-wats, where there is some sheen between the lagoon and Point Jefferson, and near Point Wells.  Officials continue to monitor the area for signs of oil. An aerial inspection showed no further sign of beach contamination.

The Washington State Department of Health closed the beaches from Miller Bay to Point Jefferson to all shellfish harvesting until further notice.

The barge FOSS 248-P2 was towed away from the Point Wells pier last night after crews cleaned oil from the deck and sides.

One oiled gull remains under care at a state mobile wildlife treatment center, operated by the International Bird Rescue and Research Center.  Two cormorants and a seal pup, retrieved Tuesday and Wednesday, have died.  None of the dead animals were oiled.  Wildlife experts have not determined whether oil played a role in their deaths. 

Wildlife rescue and recovery teams continue shore patrols.  Additional wildlife treatment resources are available if needed.

Booms placed in the early stages of the spill at pre-designated places to protect sensitive environmental resources functioned well.  Crews are removing boom from the mouths of Pipers Creek in Seattle and Boeing Creek in Shoreline because there is no longer a threat of contamination. 

Information numbers:

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

News Media Only: 206-546-7162

Volunteer information:  Volunteers are not needed to assist with this oil spill at this time.  The U.S. Coast Guard suggests that people interested in volunteering for future water- and marine-related service should contact the Coast Guard Auxiliary at 206-691-5310.