Newport Beach Harbor Closed Due To 'Disastrous' 126K Oil Spill

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — A 126,000-gallon oil spill off the coast of Newport Beach closed a slew of beaches along the coast for an undetermined amount of time while federal, state and regional officials work 24/7 to clean up the mess, officials said Sunday. The oil spill runs around 5.8 nautical miles and has already inflicted ecological damage from Newport Beach to Huntington Beach.

On Monday, Newport Harbor was temporarily closed off from vessel traffic in an attempt to keep oil from entering the harbor, Newport Beach officials said. According to the city, beaches will remain open with water advisories in place.

The spill has prompted the closure of beaches from Seapoint Drive south in Huntington Beach to the Santa Ana River. Newport Beach has soft closures and city officials are requesting that the public stay out of the water from Tower 44 north to the Santa Ana River.

“Unfortunately, the size and potential impact of this oil spill make it necessary for people to stay out of the water and avoid contact with the oil,” Newport Beach Mayor Brad Avery said in a statement. “The City’s top priority is to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors during the cleanup effort.”

See more pictures:

Orange County Oil Spill: Photos As Wetlands Cleanup Ensues

The oil came from a crude operated by Beta Offshore and was most likely caused by a pipeline leak. Beta Offshore is a California subsidiary of Houston-based Amplify Energy Corporation, about five miles off the coast, and the firm is assisting in the cleanup. The cause of the oil spill is under investigation. As of Sunday night, a total of 3,150 gallons of oily water mixture were recovered, the U.S. Coast Guard reported.

The cleanup command consists of the U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response and Amplify Energy. Supporting agencies are the cities of Long Beach, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach.

"While the overall cleanup efforts are being led by the Coast Guard, here in Huntington Beach, our local response efforts have been focused on two main priorities: protecting the health and safety of our residents and visitors; and preventing an ecological disaster by mitigating the oil spill impacts on our precious coastline and wetlands," The City of Huntington Beach said in a statement released Sunday.

As of Sunday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported that nine boats were dispatched for oil spill recovery, and three shoreline assessment teams have been dispatched to study the state of the water. Also, 3,700 feet of boom have been deployed to protect the sensitive wetlands along the affected coast. One oiled ruddy duck has been recovered from the spill and is currently receiving veterinary care.

U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel urged President Joe Biden to issue a Major Disaster Declaration to aid Orange County with the spill.

"Officials are already responding to protect sea life. Dead fish and birds are already being reported on beaches and shorelines," she wrote in a letter to Biden. "I have serious concerns about the environmental impacts of the spill and applaud the workers who are doing their best to prevent the oil from hitting sensitive wetlands."

While officials are not requesting resident volunteers, more information can be found on Cal Spill Watch's website. Officials are also urging residents who come into contact with oiled wildlife not to attempt capturing the animal. Reports of oiled wildlife can be made by calling 1-877-823-6926, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Read more on the Orange County Oil Spill:

OC Oil Spill Fouls Wildlife: 'Potential Ecologic Disaster'