Avila II

• LOCATION: Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo County
• DATE: Chronic through November 2000
• INCIDENT SUMMARY: Numerous pipeline leaks lasting several decades, under the beach and town of Avila Beach resulted in an underground plume of oil products. This eventually created a threat to public health and to the environment. Much of the beachfront section of the town was excavated in 1999-2000. Site remediation was completed on November 29, 2000.
• RESPONSIBLE PARTY: Unocal
• NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEES: California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• RESOURCES IMPACTED: Recreational beach use; intertidal wildlife and habitat; birds; fish.
• SETTLEMENT DETAILS: The trustees settled the NRDA portion of the case for $6 million. $3.5 million was allocated to compensate for recreational beach use impacts, while $2.5 million was allocated to compensate for injuries to wildlife and habitat.
• STATUS OF RESTORATION: Restoration projects now in progress; see Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan for details.

Available Documents

• Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan (PDF)

Contact

Lindsey Saum
Email: Lindsey.Saum@wildlife.ca.gov
Phone: (831) 649-2887