EAST LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Cleanup continued Wednesday following an oil spill from a broken pipeline that sent at least 2,400 gallons onto an East Los Angeles intersection and into the Los Angeles River and toward the Port of Long Beach, affecting birds and other wildlife.
Booms and oil absorbing pads were deployed about 10 miles downstream from the area where the pipe was broken and air monitoring was ongoing as a precaution after the pipeline, which brings crude oil from Kern County to the Port of Long Beach, was broken by a construction crew laying out a fiber optic line around 3 a.m. Friday.
Firefighters were dispatched to the area of East Cesar Chavez and North Eastern avenues, according to a Los Angeles County Fire Department public information officer, who said crude oil was visible in the intersection.
The pipeline operator was notified of the rupture and shut down the flow within 30 minutes of being notified, she said. The shut-off valve was near Dodger Stadium.
It was unclear how long the cleanup might take or when the broken pipeline would be fully repaired and put back into service.
Businesses impacted by the incident can file a claim by calling 877- 817-5465, according to a dispatch from the county.
“Petroleum product entered storm drains and was released into the Los Angeles River. Investigation into the cause and volume is ongoing,” California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Eric Laughlin said at the time of the environmental calamity. “OSPR (Office of Spill Prevention and Response) personnel on scene include wildlife officers, environmental scientists and oil spill prevention specialists.”
“The Oiled Wildlife Care Network has been notified and is on standby for wildlife response,” Laughlin added.
At least 25 oiled birds have been rescued, according to OWCN officials, who said the wildlife has been collected from the area by trained OWCN responders from UC Davis, Aquarium of the Pacific and International Bird Rescue.
“The birds have been transported to the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care & Education Center where additional OWCN responders are providing initial care prior to cleaning,” they said.
The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response said Sunday that crews were making progress at strengthening measures to contain the oil during cleanup and recovery.
Long Beach officials have been closely monitoring conditions in the LA River in coordination with the Unified Command and through their own on- site visual assessments.
On Saturday, an oil sheen was observed near the PCH bridge, so crews placed oil-absorbing booms at multiple points along the river, including Willow Street, PCH, Ocean Blvd and the approach to Golden Shore.
A city homeless services team was conducting outreach along the river to offer services and inform people about the spill.
Anyone who sees an oil sheen in the LA River was asked to contact Long Beach Fire Department dispatch at 562-436-8211.
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