Federal Funding Will Support Debris Removal, Native Plant Seeding and More
Sacramento – A wetlands area impacted by a 2011 plane crash near Point Mugu Naval Air Station in Ventura County will undergo a series of restoration projects funded by a $1.1 million allotment from the National Pollution Funds Center.
The restoration work will be facilitated by state and federal trustees from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Navy.
The airplane was carrying approximately 10,000 gallons of jet fuel when it crashed into the marsh during a failed takeoff attempt and started a large fire. The crew escaped with minor injuries, but the downed aircraft caused significant environmental impacts and led to a multi-agency response effort.
The aircraft was owned and operated by Omega Aerial Refueling Services, Inc. A restoration settlement agreement with the company was not reached so a request for restoration funds was made to the National Pollution Funds Center.
The funding agreement was announced in October 2024 and stems from a comprehensive assessment of damages to marsh habitat within Mugu Lagoon wetlands. Funds will go toward restoring, rehabilitating, replacing or acquiring the equivalent of the damaged natural resources.
Restoration projects include:
• Debris removal in a coastal salt marsh to promote regrowth of vegetation in the area;
• Upland Wetland Buffer Revegetation, removing non-native vegetation with herbicide and seeding native marsh plants;
• European Sea Lavendar Eradication, removal of this invasive plant species; and
• Project monitoring of wetlands for five years to determine if goals and objectives are met.
“These projects, developed cooperatively by CDFW and our partner agencies, will greatly benefit the salt marsh habitats surrounding the Naval Air Station. Through this funding, we will be able to help address the injury and losses caused by the spill and restore marsh habitat for the benefit of fish and wildlife,” said Dr. Michael Anderson, Resource Restoration Program Manager with CDFW-OSPR.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC), committed to protecting America’s environment, provides protection up-front by certifying that oil-carrying vessels have the financial ability to pay in the case of an oil spill. When spills do occur, the NPFC provides funding for quick response, compensates claimants for cleanup costs and damages and takes action to recover costs from responsible parties.
For more information, visit: https://www.uscg.mil/Mariners/National-Pollution-Funds-Center/About-NPFC/.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Kristina Werner, CDFW Communications, 916-594-4704
Eric Laughlin, CDFW Communications, 916-214-3279