ARCO Santa Clara River

Graphic California map showing the locations of Arco / Santa Clara spill

Bare trees in a valley with hills and clouds.

A pipeline break during the Northridge Earthquake resulted in the spill of over 190,000 gallons of crude oil. Oil entered the Santa Clara River near Interstate 5 and continued 16 miles downstream.

LOCATION: Santa Clara River in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

  • DATE: January 17, 1994
  • INCIDENT SUMMARY: A pipeline break during the Northridge Earthquake resulted in the spill of over 190,000 gallons of crude oil. Oil entered the Santa Clara River near Interstate 5 and continued 16 miles downstream.
  • RESPONSIBLE PARTY: Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO)
  • NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEES: California Department of Fish and Wildlife; United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • RESOURCES IMPACTED: Fish (including the Unarmoured Threespine Stickleback); riparian vegetation (approximately 100 acres destroyed); birds, mammals, and other riparian and aquatic animals.
  • SETTLEMENT DETAILS: The trustees settled the NRDA portion of the case for $7.1 million.
  • STATUS OF RESTORATION: Final Restoration Plan, restoration projects in progress.

Available Documents

Administrative Record

The Arco Santa Clara Trustee Council Administrative Record can be viewed at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office located at 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003, telephone number (805) 644-1766.

Restoration Project Monitoring Reports

Contact

Daniel Orr
Email: Daniel.Orr@wildlife.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 375-4862

Last update : 5/17/2023 10:32:12 AM

Contact Us

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
(916) 445-0411 for General CDFW Information

Office of Spill Prevention and Response
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
(916) 375-8580 for OSPR Information

Report Oil Spills
(800) 852-7550 or (800) OILS-911

Email OSPR | Office Locations

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