On Saturday, October 2nd, an estimated 144,000 gallons of oil entered the ocean when a pipeline broke approximately 4 miles off the Orange County coastline. The resulting oil made its way into the habitat of OC’s most vulnerable wildlife, and is currently devastating OC’s wetlands.
A combination of public and private entities set up a unified command to coordinate the many agencies that are responding. They have created a website to provide updates: Southern California Spill Response – socalspillresponse.com/
Many of our partners and donors have asked for ways to help.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife opened a hotline if anyone sees wildlife impacted from the oil and has advised individuals not to attempt rescue themselves. You can call (877) 823-6926 to report sightings.
The City of Huntington Beach has partnered with the Surfrider Foundation to coordinate future cleanups. If you’re interested in upcoming clean up opportunities, please text ‘oilspill’ (one word) to 51555 or visit https://www.surfrider.org/ .
Please consider making gifts from your fund to support these organizations involved:
Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy oversees the most heavily impacted site, the Huntington Beach Wetlands, and is actively involved in saving the wetland from oil-related destruction.
Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center provides care for the native wildlife currently in peril from the disaster.
Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues, rehabilitates, and releases marine animals that are suffering from the spill.
Surfrider Foundation is coordinating cleanups and the community response in partnership with the local public agencies.
SUPPORT OCCF’S RESPONSE:
OCCF has designated the Environment Fund to provide resources to these and other agencies responding to the crisis. To donate, please visit https://donor.oc-cf.org/make-a-donation and select Environment Fund from the designation tab. All donations received by December 1 will directly support those agencies assisting in the recovery of Orange County’s natural habitat.
