Torch - Platform Irene

Summary

An undersea pipeline, linking the offshore oil platform Irene with the mainland, ruptured and released oil into the ocean. The oil formed surface slicks and washed ashore, primarily at Surf Beach, Vandenberg Air Force Base.

• LOCATION: Offshore and coastline, northern Santa Barbara County
• DATE: September 28, 1997
• RESPONSIBLE PARTY: Torch Operating Company
• NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEES: California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife; California State Lands Commission; United States Fish and Wildlife Service; United States Dept. of Defense (Vandenberg Air Force Base)
• RESOURCES IMPACTED: Birds (over 700 estimated killed); sandy and rocky shoreline habitat; recreational beach use.
• SETTLEMENT DETAILS: The trustees settled the NRDA portion of the case for $1.9 million.
• STATUS OF RESTORATION: October 2007 Final Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment complete; restoration projects in progress.

Available Documents

Restoration Plans/Summary Reports

• Final Torch Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Scoping Document for Restoration Planning For Public Review and Comment (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• April 19, 2006 Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment Workshop Agenda (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2010 Annual Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Restoration Project Monitoring Reports

BeachCOMBERS

• Coastal Ocean Mammal and Bird Education and Research Surveys (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• USFWS BeachCOMBERS Proposal (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• VFWO Scope of Work - BeachCOMBERS (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2013 Progress Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Boardwalk

• Boardwalk Scope of Work - March 24, 2010 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Final Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes

Pre-treatment Wildlife Surveys

• 2016 Final Refuge Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2016 Refuge Mid-season Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2016 Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Scope of Work

• Scope of Work European Beachgrass Removal (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Year One

• Year One Beachgrass Treatment Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Year Two

• Year Two Beachgrass Treatment Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2019 Western Snowy Plover Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Year Three

• Year Three Beachgrass Treatment Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Year Four

• Final Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Mussel Restoration

• Mussel Bed Agreement Final (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Final Report July 13, 2016 (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Rocky Intertidal Restoration

• Scope of Work March 2010 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Final Interpretive Sign (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Final Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Sandy Beach Restoration

Phase One

• Phase One Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2009 Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Phase Two

• Phase Two Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2011 Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Phase Three

• Phase Three Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2012 Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Phase Four

• Phase Four Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2015 Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Phase Five

• Phase Five Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Seabird Restoration

Phase One

• 2010 Aerial Surveys (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2009 - Year One Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2012 - 2013 Cormorant Counts - Point Sur to Point Mugu (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Phase One Final Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• PRBO Initial Monitoring Plan and Scope of Work - March 10, 2011 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Year One Baseline Monitoring Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Point Sur to Point Mugu Seabird Protection Network Assessment (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2014 Aerial Survey Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Phase Two

• 1979 - 2011 Population Trends Brandt's and Double-crested Cormorants (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Year Two Baseline Monitoring Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2012 Progress Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Year Two Final Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Seabird Protection Network Brochure - February 14, 2014 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Seabird Protection Network Outreach Presentation for Audubon (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2012 Aerial Survey Proposal (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Phase Three

• Phase Three Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2014 Phase Three Accomplishments (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Seabird Protection Network Kiosk Display (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2014 Citizen Scientist Presentation (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Phase Four

• Phase Four Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2011-2014 Monitoring Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Phase Five

• Phase Five Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Seabird Protection Network Outreach Update July 2016 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Seabird Protection Network Outreach Update November 2016 (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Phase Six

• 2018 California State Parks Outreach Agreement (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Sealife Stewards Final Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Phase Six Outreach and Education Scope of Work (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2017 Sealife Stewards Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2018 Seabird Protection Network Evaluation and Planning Final Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Seabird Protection Network Outreach and Education Update - August 2017 to November 2017 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Seabird Protection Network Outreach and Education Update - June 2018 to September 2018 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• 2020 Seabird Protection Network Outreach and Education Phase Six Report (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Final Report

• Final Law and Enforcement Summary (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Seabird Protection Network Five Year Monitoring (2011-2016) Summary (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Seabird Protection Network Outreach and Education Five Year Accomplishments (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Seabird Protection Network Outreach and Education Summary Phase One to Phase Five (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Administrative Record Index:

The Torch Trustee Council Administrative Record can be viewed at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office located at 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003, telephone number (805) 644-1766.

Contact

Jennifer Gold
Email: Jennifer.Gold@wildlife.ca.gov
Phone: (805) 560-6758