The oil from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico was documented by shoreline assessment teams as stranding on 1,773 km of shoreline. Beaches comprised 50.8%, marshes 44.9%, and other shoreline types 4.3% of the oiled shoreline. Shoreline cleanup activities were authorized on 660 km, or 73.3% of oiled beaches and up to 71 km, or 8.9% of oiled marshes and associated habitats. One year after the spill began, oil remained on 847 km; two years later, oil remained on 687 km, though at much lesser degrees of oiling. For example, shorelines characterized as heavily oiled went from a maximum of 360 km, to 22.4 km one year later, and to 6.4 km two years later. Shoreline cleanup has been conducted to meet habitat-specific cleanup endpoints and will continue until all oiled shoreline segments meet endpoints. The entire shoreline cleanup program has been managed under the Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT) Program, which is a systematic, objective, and inclusive process to collect data on shoreline oiling conditions and support decision making on appropriate cleanup methods and endpoints. It was a particularly valuable and effective process during such a complex spill.
The gasoline release, explosion, and fire that resulted from the Olympic Pipeline rupture on June 10, 1999 in Bellingham, Washington affected approximately 4 kilometers of the Whatcom Creek system. One component of the response program involved remediation of the affected streambed sections. A combination of mechanical, manual, and hydraulic in situ treatment techniques were used to remove product from the streambed and stream banks. Much of this work involved placement of heavy equipment in the stream and manipulation of unconsolidated substrata. Several kilometers of the streambed being treated had been the subject of historical anthropogenic alterations substantially lowering the suitability of the stream to support salmon spawning and rearing. While the equipment was in the stream, a series of emergency restoration modifications were made to increase the suitability of the stream to support increased viable salmonid populations. Enhancement included: erosion control, provisions for pools, runs, riffles, effective use of groundwater infiltration providing colder water, enhancement of partial passage barriers, and installation of large woody debris. Work was completed by September 1999 prior to the return of spawning adult salmon. Subsequent data collected on the stream used by salmon indicates that the measures were successful. Integration of response, restoration, and enhancement allowed the accomplishment with very little interruption to the anadromous fish cycle following a substantial insult to the stream system.
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