Cal Spill Watch

Summary

• LOCATION: Nipomo Dunes, San Luis Obispo County.
• DATE: Chronic release, remediation in progress.
• INCIDENT SUMMARY: At least 80 plumes of diluent (a semi-refined petroleum product, similar to kerosene/diesel), associated with leaks in pipelines that may have lasted for decades, were detected in and near the Guadalupe Oil Field in the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes. These chronic leaks released an estimated 12 million gallons of diluent into the dunes, beach, groundwater, and Pacific Ocean.
• RESPONSIBLE PARTY: Unocal Corporation (and Chevron acquired the site and is continuing with site remediation).
• NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEES: California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife; California Coastal Conservancy (the Restoration Subcommittee).
• RESOURCES IMPACTED: Dune habitat; wetlands; groundwater; intertidal habitat.
• SETTLEMENT DETAILS: The trustees settled the NRDA portion of the case for $9 million.

STATUS OF RESTORATION: August 2001 Final Restoration Plan for restoration planning completed; 90 restoration projects have been implemented; and a portion of the funds were transferred to two designated CDFW Reg. 4 sub-accounts to continue long-term restoration management and maintenance activities within the Guadalupe Dunes. Funds were also allocated to the Coastal Conservancy for implementing future restoration projects. See below for Available Documents including the Final Report that summarizes how funds were spent and projects that were implemented.

Available Documents

Restoration Plan and Final Report

• Guadalupe Natural Resources Restoration Trust Restoration Subcommittee Final Report (PDF)
• August 2001 Final Restoration Plan (PDF)
• June 2000 Scoping Document for Restoration Planning (PDF)

Reports/Deliverables from Select Restoration Projects

• 2022 Dune Protected Areas 1.0 Creating Blueprint for Restoration Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes Complex, Long-term Work Plan (PDF)
• 2022 Dune Protected Areas Short-term Workplan. 3 Year Work Plan (PDF)
• 2008 Guad-Nipomo Dunes Preliminary Wetland Evaluation Long Term Project (PDF)
• 2008 Nipomo Native Garden Walk brochure (PDF)
• 2007 Fauna of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Final Long Term Project (PDF)
• 2006 Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Interpretive Master Plan (PDF)
• 2005 Nipomo Creek Watershed Management Plan (PDF)
• 2003 Nipomo Creek Watershed Characterization Report (PDF)
• 2003 Dunes GIS Setting Priorities for Restoration (PDF)

Conservation Strategy Management Plan

• 2018 Dune Protected Area Conservation Strategy Monitoring Plan (PDF)
• 2018 Conservation Strategy Management Plan Work Plan Summary & Recommendation (PDF)
• 2018 Dune Protected Areas Conservation Strategy Restoration Plan (PDF)
• 2018 Dune Protected Area Restoration Work Plan (PDF)

USFWS Interim Project Plover Edu Guardian Final Report & Docent Manual & Outreach Materials

• 2003 USFWS Plover Docent Manual (PDF)
• 2003 USFWS Plover Educational Kit (PDF)
• 2003 USFWS Western Snowy Plover Education Program Final Report (PDF)
• 2002 USFWS Plover Docent Activity Guide (PDF)

Other Documents

Other documents pertaining to the Guadalupe Restoration Subcommittee may be reviewed at CDFW-OSPR Headquarters, mailing address P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090 or (916) 375-8580, or contact below.

Contact

Michael Connell
Michael.Connell@wildlife.ca.gov
(805) 568-1229