Refugio Beach Oil Spill

Oil Spill | Santa Barbara County, California | May 2015

What Happened?

On May 19, 2015, a pipeline owned and operated by Plains All American Pipeline ruptured near Refugio State Beach.

Over 100,000 gallons of crude oil were spilled, much of which ran down a storm drain and into a ravine under the freeway, entering the ocean.

What Were the Impacts?

Field teams documented dead fish, invertebrates, birds and marine mammals in the oiled areas following the spill. NOAA and its state and federal natural resource co-trustees are investigating the extent to which the incident may have caused harm to fish and wildlife.

Species impacted include birds (brown pelicans, common murres, Pacific loons, snowy plovers), marine mammals (including California sea lions and dolphins), fish (especially surf perch and grunion), and marine invertebrates and their habitats.

The spill also shut down fisheries, closed multiple beaches, and impacted recreational uses such as camping, non-commercial fishing, and beach visits. The Trustees held a public meeting on January 20, 2016, to begin soliciting ideas for restoration projects that would compensate for the environmental injuries.

What's Happening Now?

On March 13, 2020 the Department of Justice announced filing for public comment of a consent decree proposing a $22.3 million settlement to restore natural resources injured by the Refugio Beach oil spill. The public is encouraged to review and comment on the proposed consent decree until May 20, 2020.

The settlement will go toward resolving natural resource damage claims, to restore habitats and wildlife injured by oil, and to compensate the public for lost recreational opportunities.

On April 22, 2020, NOAA, and the state and federal Trustees working on restoring habitat and resources impacted by the Refugio Beach oil spill released a draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for public comment through June 8, 2020. The Trustees are also hosting two public webinars on May 13, 2020 to present the plan, take questions, and receive written public comments.

Please send your written comments on the plan to:

By email to: RefugioRestoration@fws.gov
By mail to: Refugio Beach Oil Spill Natural Resource Trustees
C/O Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office
2493 Portola Road, Suite B
Ventura, CA 93004

The full plan and all the apendices can be found in the Refugio Oil Spill DIVER Administrative Record.

Oil on the beach at Refugio State Park in Santa Barbara, California, on May 19, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard)

"We are pleased to join this agreement with industry and our co-trustees to help restore vital habitats, wildlife and recreational areas injured by this oil spill. Local communities and economies depend on these ecosystems, and we look forward to working with the public on projects to restore them to health.”

Nicole LeBouef, acting director of NOAA's National Ocean Service.