VENTURA, CALIF.
State and local officials reached a comprehensive settlement with Crimson Pipeline, L.P. (Crimson), and its contractor CD Lyon Construction Inc. to settle damages resulting for a crude oil spill in Hall Canyon, Ventura.
A valve that wasn’t properly tightened resulted in the release of more than 44,000 gallons of crude oil.
The spill damaged natural resources that resulted in a comprehensive cleanup.
Crimson has agreed to pay $1,307,700 in civil penalties, costs, and natural resources damages.
Additionally, CD Lyon has agreed to pay civil penalties and a portion of the outstanding costs totaling $300,000.
The Crimson settlement includes $900,000 in civil penalties, of which $600,000 will be paid to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the District Attorney’s Office.
“With this settlement, Crimson and their contractor will pay a significant penalty, improve its oil spill preparedness and response operations, and compensate the public for natural resource damages,” said Thomas Cullen, administrator of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response.
Adding,“The public should know that when an oil spill happens in California, we will hold those responsible accountable and require a thorough and rapid cleanup and restoration.”
The crude oil spill, which came to be known as the Grove Incident, occurred in the early morning of June 23, 2016, when the pipeline restarted following a faulty valve replacement, officials stated.
Crude oil was released into a small canyon with vegetation running through a residential neighborhood.
Local residents discovered the release and quickly alerted Crimson and first responders, according to officials.
Hall Canyon required months of cleanup, and some local residents were forced to leave their homes due to the strong odor of petroleum in the area after the spill occurred.