HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.—After a new oil sheen was spotted Dec. 22 off the coast of Bolsa Chica State Beach, officials announced Dec. 23 that tarballs have also come onshore in Huntington Beach despite proactive measures.
The U.S. Coast Guard of Southern California and the County of Orange were also helping with the investigation, the department said.
Despite proactive measures implemented overnight to contain the sheen, officials said the afternoon of Dec. 23 that tarballs were spotted onshore near Huntington Beach Lifeguard Tower 10 and Dog Beach, which they are attempting to clean up.
More sensitive environmental sites—including the Talbert Marsh, Bolsa Chica wetlands, Newport Slough, and the Santa Ana River—will be enclosed by floating physical barriers overnight, according to the department.
This was the second oil sighting in about a week, after another sheen about 400 feet long and 100 feet wide was spotted about half a mile off the shore of Bolsa Chica State Beach.
After testing the oil samples, the oil was found to be inconsistent with the Orange County oil pipeline leak in October, according to the department.
Officials said that they will continue to monitor shorelines from Anaheim Bay to the Santa Ana River.
