ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released an update on last week’s oil sheen following the latest report of several oiled birds found near Bolsa Chica yesterday and this morning. In response, the Oiled Wildlife Care Network has been activated.
“Following reports of oiled birds last night, oiled wildlife teams are out on the beach today near Bolsa Chica to rescue more potentially oiled birds. Although an overflight did not observe an oil sheen on the water, an investigation remains in place to determine why oiled birds continue to be found,” said Supervisor Foley. “The test results to determine the cause of last week’s oil sheen remains inconclusive. Rest assured - I remain in constant contact with the US Coast Guard to California Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill and Prevention to continue monitoring this situation. It’s frustrating that a source has not been identified.”
“I urge any beachgoers who find oiled wildlife to report it and avoid contact with it,” added Supervisor Foley.
Anyone observing oiled wildlife should not attempt to capture it. Instead, please report observations to 1-877-UCDOWCN (1-877-823-6926). This is not an informational or volunteer hotline.
Background:
On Thursday night, March 7, 2024, a sheen was reported. On Friday morning at first light, an oil spill approximately 2.5 in length and approximately 1.5 miles out from the shoreline in the City of Huntington Beach was identified by the U.S. Coast Guard, California Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill and Prevention (OSPR), and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol. Due to the excellent coordination established after the 2021 oil spill, the area was contained, tested, and cleaned up by Sunday. Testing conducted by the US Coast Guard to determine the source remains inconclusive.
Follow @uscgsocal and @supervisorfoley for updates throughout the day.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee Chair, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee Vice Chair, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Environmental Committee, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Co-Chair, Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
