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Refugio / South Bay Incident

OSPR crews were among the first on-scene to a crude oil spill resulting from a ruptured pipeline near Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County. More than 100,000 gallons of crude discharged into the environment near Refugio State Beach. A Unified Command including OSPR leadership was established in Santa Barbara County, coordinating cleanup and recovery operations. As of July 27, 2015 operations continue with the focus shifting from cleanup to environmental restoration and natural resource damage assessment.

News Releases

Traffic closure update for Refugio oil spill response

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Traffic advisory for Refugio oil spill response - Update on traffic impacts from Refugio oil spill response.

Updated shoreline survey results

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Press release on SCAT data - Updated information on shoreline cleanup.

Unified Command to temporarily suspend night cleanups due to wildlife sensitivity

Sunday, April 16, 2023

UC news release on grunions -

Coast Guard responds to substance report at Manhattan Beach

Monday, November 7, 2016

Incident Notice - Coast Guard responds to substance report at Manhattan Beach

Update #3 - South Bay Incident

Monday, November 7, 2016

Update #3 - South Bay Incident - The South Bay Incident Unified Command continues the cleanup operations at El Segundo, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beaches. The beaches from El Segundo jetty to the Torrance-Redondo Beach border are closed to the public. Individuals are urged to stay off area beaches as a safety measure and to avoid the tar balls. Precautionary boom is also in place at King’s Harbor and Ballona Creek.

Update #1 - South Bay Incident

Monday, November 7, 2016

South Bay Incident - The South Bay Incident Unified Command continues to cleanup and investigate the petroleum product – now identified as tar balls and tar patties, discovered on 6.5 miles of shoreline at El Segundo, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beaches Wednesday.

SPILL CLEANUP OPERATION REACHES 98 PERCENT, FOUR-COUNTY BEACH SURVEY RESULTS

Friday, July 17, 2015

Refugio spill clean up 98 percent clean - The Unified Command directing cleanup operations for the Refugio oil spill reports the effort is 98 percent complete.

Unified Command holds community open house in Goleta, Calif.

Monday, July 13, 2015

Community open house announcement - The Unified Command for the Refugio oil spill response held an open house in Goleta, California, Saturday.

Refugio State Beach slated to reopen July 17

Monday, July 13, 2015

Refugio State Beach slated to reopen July 17 - Refugio State Beach has been cleared by California State Parks to reopen July 17 at noon.

Four-County sampling sets reference point for next steps in Refugio Response

Monday, July 13, 2015

Sampling of tar balls on beach to set reference point - The Refugio Response Unified Command (UC) coordinated a beach tarball sampling for Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties July 9-10. Sampling experts for the UC along with county representatives and non-governmental organizations (NGO) participated.

CTEH Cumulative Water Sampling Summary

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

CTEH Cumulative Water Sampling Summary - Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, LLC (CTEH®) summarizes the water sampling results that were initiated in support of response operations for the Refugio Incident near Gaviota, California

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER AFTER HOURS CONTACT

Monday, July 6, 2015

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER AFTER HOURS CONTACT - The Joint Information Center’s regular hours are from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. For any after-hours requests, please contact: (510) 333-6297.

UPDATE 3: Coast Guard Continues to Oversee Clean Up of Refugio Oil Spill

Monday, July 6, 2015

Update for the Refugio Incident Santa Barbara County - Press release with update on Refugion Incident on May 20, 2015.

Safety Statement from Plains All American Pipeline

Monday, July 6, 2015

Safety Statement from Plains All American Pipeline - Safety and environmental responsibility are core values to Plains. Since 2008, Plains has significantly increased its size and spending related to our U. S. integrity management and safety programs.

Formal Emergency Permit Issued to Cleanup Refugio Oil Spill

Monday, July 6, 2015

Formal Emergency Permit Issued to Cleanup Refugio Oil Spill - On July 3, 2015 and pursuant to the County’s Coastal Zoning Ordinance, the Santa Barbara County Planning and Development Department issued a written Emergency Permit to Plains Pipeline LP for cleanup of the Refugio Oil Spill.

Press Release Fishery Closure

Monday, July 6, 2015

fishery closure following crude oil spill from pipeline near Refugio State Beach - Fishery closure press release for Refugio State Beach May 2015

UPDATE 2: Unified Command Establishes Joint Information Center

Monday, July 6, 2015

Press release #2 for Refugio Incident - Press release #2 with updates on the Refugio Incident

Public Health News Release - Refugio Incident

Monday, July 6, 2015

Public health risks associated with the Santa Barbara oil spill May 2015 - Press release from Santa Barbara County Health on risks associated with the Santa Barbara oil spill May 2015

Santa Barbara Fishery Closure 5/21/2015

Monday, July 6, 2015

fishery closure following crude oil spill from pipeline near Refugio State Beach - Fishery closure document

UPDATE 6: Unified Command Continuing Clean Up Operations

Monday, July 6, 2015

UPDATE 6: Unified Command Continuing Clean Up Operations - Press release that contains updated information on the Refugio Incident, crude oil spill in Santa Barbara County

Refugio Incident Update #10

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Beach Oil Spill Update #10 - Update #10 for Refugio Beach Oil Spill.

Governor Brown's Declaration of Emergency for Santa Barbara

Monday, July 6, 2015

Gov. Brown declares state of emergency for Refugio Incident Oil Spill - Governor's state of emergency declaration for Santa Barbara County

Refugio Incident Update #13

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Oil Spill in Santa Barbara Update #13 - Spill information update 5/24/2015

Refugio Incident Update #17

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Oil Spill Incident Update #17, Santa Barbara May 25, 2015 - Joint Information Center media update.

Update 16 Refugio Incident Using Volunteers

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Incident call for volunteers - Registration information and dates for training. Beach cleaning dates.

Refugio Incident Update #20

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Beach Oil Spill Update #20 - Press update

Refugio Incident Update #22

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Beach Oil Spill Update #20 - Press update

Unified Command Update 31: Refugio Response

Monday, July 6, 2015

Update from UC, number 31 - Latest update on Unified Command spill response for Refugio incident.

Traffic Alert : Southbound 101 Lane Closure on 5/30/15

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Incident Community Open-House Invitation

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Oil Response Open House - The community is invited to attend the Refugio Oil Response Open House scheduled to be held from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., in Goleta, California, Saturday.

Refugio Incident Update #27

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Incident Update #27 -

Refugio Incident Update #25

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Incident Update #25 - Update 25: Unified Command continues to respond to the Refugio Oil Response in Santa Barbara County, California.

Public Health Dept. Press Release: Beach Assessment and Clean-up Continues and Extends

Monday, July 6, 2015

County of Santa Barbara County Health Press Release - The Refugio Oil response effort includes continued assessment and clean-up of local beaches in Southern Santa Barbara County.

Traffic Advisory: Traffic closure for Refugio oil spill response

Monday, July 6, 2015

Traffic Advisory: Traffic closure for Refugio oil spill response - The Unified Command for the Refugio oil spill response announces that there will be no lane closures for Tuesday, June 16, 2015 near the Refugio Beach cleanup site.

Traffic Advisory: Traffic closure for Refugio oil spill response

Monday, July 6, 2015

Road closure due to cleanup of Refugio spill - The Unified Command for the Refugio oil spill response announces that there will be no scheduled lane closure for Saturday and Sunday near the Refugio Beach cleanup site.

Cyclists from AIDS/LifeCycle Ride to pass Refugio Oil Spill Response Excavation Site

Monday, July 6, 2015

Cyclists from AIDS/LifeCycle Ride to pass Refugio Oil Spill Response Excavation Site - Tomorrow morning, June 5, nearly 2,400 cyclists will ride past the oil spill cleanup work west of Refugio State Beach as part of AIDS/LifeCycle, a seven-day, 545-mile cycling event from San Francisco to Los Angeles that raises funds for San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV/AIDS-related services of the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Refugio Oil Spill Response: Progress Update SCAT

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Oil Spill Response: Progress Update SCAT - Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique teams, made up of scientists trained in evaluating oil coverage on shorelines, survey beaches and report on their status.

CDFW lifts fishery closure from Refugio Beach Oil Spill: Fishing resumes

Monday, July 6, 2015

Fishing resumes June 29 in Santa Barbara following oil spill - The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) lifted the fishing closure in Santa Barbara County on June 29, following official notification from the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) that there is no longer a human health threat present in finfish and shellfish from oil chemicals in the Refugio Beach oil spill incident.

El Capitan State Beach to re-open June 26, 2015

Monday, July 6, 2015

reopening of el capitan state beach - El Capitan State Beach has been cleared by the California Department of Parks and Recreation to re-open, Friday, June 26, 2015.

No oily water recovered since June 3; water conditions improve

Monday, July 6, 2015

No oily water recovered since June 3 - The Unified Command suspended nine booming and skimming vessels due to improving conditions on the water. No oil has been found in the on-water recovery area since June 3.

Fishery closure lifted

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Fishery Closure lifted in Refugio Oil Spill Incident, Santa Barbara County - OEHHA recommends CDFW lift the fishery closure. Official lift document.

Single Manhattan tarball matched to Refugio oil spill source: Investigation continues

Friday, July 3, 2015

Tarball on Manhattan Beach matched with Refugio Spill Incident - OSPR determined that the Manhattan tarball sample matched the source sample taken from the Refugio Incident oil spill. Although the test results of this tarball sample matched the Refugio Incident oil spill, the source of all tarballs on Manhattan Beach cannot be determined based on one sample. Tar balls from natural seeps will continue to wash ashore and OSPR will continue to collect samples for analysis as part of the on-going investigation.

Refugio Oil Spill Onshore Progress: Soil Removal Gaining Speed

Friday, July 3, 2015

Excavation and removal of contaminated soils - While the Refugio spill on-water response is nearing completion, work continues onshore with the removal of contaminated soil.

Local Fishing Vessels Part of the Refugio Spill Response

Friday, July 3, 2015

Local fishing vessels - news release on local area fishing vessels participating in the oil spill cleanup during the Refugio Incident.

Refugio Incident reports cleanup goals met for several shorelines areas

Friday, July 3, 2015

Refugio Incident reports cleanup goals met for several shorelines areas - Refugio Incident reports cleanup goals met for several shorelines areas

Update #30

Friday, July 3, 2015

Update on Unified Command spill response for Refugio Incident - Update 30: Unified Command continues to respond to the Refugio oil spill in Santa Barbara County, Calif.

Update #29

Friday, July 3, 2015

Clarification: Update 29 - Clarification: Update 29: Unified Command continues to respond to the Refugio oil spill in Santa Barbara County, Calif.

Beach Assessment and Clean-up Continues and Extends

Friday, July 3, 2015

Department of Health press release: Beach Assessment and Clean-up - The Refugio Oil response effort includes continued assessment and clean-up of local beaches in Southern Santa Barbara County.

Ventura County Press Release

Friday, July 3, 2015

Ventura County Executive Office - Ventura County Executive Office press release on tar balls

SBCPH Air Quality

Friday, July 3, 2015

SBCPH Air Quality - Summary letter on air quality from Santa Barbara County Public Health

Photo Release: Response crews remove boom from Refugio Beach near Santa Barbara, Calif.

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Response crews remove boom from Refugio Beach sensitive area - Response crews removed boom from a sensitive site near Refugio Beach Saturday.

South Bay Loon 1

Monday, November 7, 2016

South Bay Loon 1 - Wildlife being treated

South Bay Loon 2

Monday, November 7, 2016

South Bay Loon 2 - Wildlife being treated

South Bay Loon 3

Monday, November 7, 2016

South Bay Loon 3 - Wildlife being treated

South Bay Loon 4

Monday, November 7, 2016

South Bay Loon 4 - Wildlife being treated

South Bay Loon 5

Monday, November 7, 2016

South Bay Loon 5 - Wildlife being treated

South Bay Loon 6

Monday, November 7, 2016

South Bay Loon 6 - Wildlife being treated

South Bay Loon 7

Monday, November 7, 2016

South Bay Loon 7 - Wildlife being treated

South Bay Loon 8

Monday, November 7, 2016

South Bay Loon 8 - Wildlife being treated

South Bay Spill Pic

Monday, November 7, 2016

Tar balls washed up on the beach

Photo Release: California Sea Lions return to Pacific Ocean

Monday, July 20, 2015

First group of mammals returned to ocean -

VIDEO RELEASE: Refugio oil spill response cleanup crews remove oil from rocks

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Rock cleaning on Ellwood Beach - Crews use hand tools and absorbent towels to remove oil from rocks along the shoreline on Ellwood Beach in Santa Barbara County, California, June 8, 2015.

Refugio Oil Spill Clean Up Operations Imagery

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Oil Spill Clean Up Operations Imagery - SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Crews continue clean-up of the oil using boom operations off the coast of Goleta, Calif., May 21, 2015. The clean-up operation for the spill commenced the evening of Tuesday May 19, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrea Anderson)

Refugio Oil Spill Clean Up Operations (photos and video)

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Oil Spill Clean Up Operations - Response crews collect oil from on the water as well as clean beaches impacted by an oil spill along the coast north of Santa Barbara, Calif., May 21, 2015

Update 11: Photographs from Refugio Incident May 23, 2015

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Incident Photo Presentation - Photos from release site.

Refugio Update #15 - photos from the scene

Monday, July 6, 2015

Refugio Oil Spill Incident Update with Photos #15, Santa Barbara - Joint Information Center photo release

Update19: Refugio Oil Response operations (photos)

Monday, July 6, 2015

Photos of the Refugio Incident - Pictures of wildlife experts cleaning oil impacted birds and wildlife officers intercepting a commercial fish in vessel.

Pelicans recover in aviary at the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center

Monday, July 6, 2015

Pelicans recover in aviary at the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center - Pelicans recover in aviary at the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center where wildlife rehabilitation experts care for birds impacted at the Refugio oil spill.

Photo Release: Crews continue to clean beaches near Santa Barbara, Calif.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Photo Release: Crews continue to clean beaches near Santa Barbara, Calif. - Responders scrape oil from cobble rock at beaches near Santa Barbara

Photo Release: Brown pelicans with tracking devices cleaned

Friday, July 3, 2015

Brown pelicans with tracking devices cleaned - Photo Release: Brown pelicans with tracking devices cleaned

Photo Release: Rehabilitated Pelicans released at Goleta Beach near Santa Barbara, Calif.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Pelicans released at Goleta Beach near Santa Barbara, Calif. - Rehabilitated Pelicans released at Goleta Beach near Santa Barbara, Calif.

Photo Release: Response crews work Refugio State Beach

Friday, July 3, 2015

Photo release: Response crews work Refugio State Beach - Photos of response workers hauling boom, wearing protective gear and SCAT team on beach

Response storyboard

Friday, July 3, 2015

Timeline of Refugio Response - Timeline of event highlights from start of the response to June 24, 2015.

Brown pelicans take off after being successfully rehabilitated and released

Friday, July 3, 2015

Pelicans take off at second bird release - Brown pelicans take off after being successfully rehabilitated and released at White Point Beach near Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., June 16, 2015

Seven rehabilitated brown pelicans prepare for release at White Point Beach

Friday, July 3, 2015

Bird release - A pipeline caused an oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA on May 19. Since the beginning of the response, wildlife rehabilitators captured, cleaned and cared for 57 oiled birds. Impacted birds were cared for at the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center in San Pedro, Calif. — at White Point Beach.

Pelicans prepare for flight

Friday, July 3, 2015

Brown pelicans prepare for flight at second bird release - Rehabilitated brown pelicans prepare for their first flight at White Point Beach near Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. June 16, 2015. Wildlife rehabilitators released seven juvenile and adult brown pelicans that are the second set of birds released

Before and After Images for Refugio Oil Spill Response

Friday, July 3, 2015

Before and After Images for Refugio Oil Spill Response - Before and after photos show the progress of the cleanup efforts as a result of the Refugio Incident.