Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

Global Water Summit

Stephanie Eng, Carrie Freestone, Anna Jeon, Behjat Masood, Jenny Xue

Summary
On Friday March 24, 1989, the biggest oil spill in American history took place. Due to human error, of drunkenness, the beauty of Alaskas Prince William Sounds coast was destroyed in an instance, and the marine life, people, government, and all of Alaska was affected. Ten hours after the incident, it was discovered that the Captain, Joseph Hazelwood, was not fully conscious and had consumed alcohol while on board. In other words, he was drunk. Although the tank was very large (987 ft long, 166 foot wide craft), and held 180, 270 tons of oil, the voyage would have been safe if the tanker had followed the track correctly. However, at midnight, the tanker moved off course by two miles by an unqualified third mate. When the mistake was discovered, it was too late to turn back, and soon enough, the Exxon Valdez crashed into the Bligh Reef; spilling oil all over the area. Although no human injuries occurred, the nature took the place of the damage. This major event greatly impacted the environment, their people, and government, in many ways. 9
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Effect
Environment: The oil spill put the wildlife in Prince William Sound in great danger. 14 The wildlife in Prince William Sound was greatly impacted by the oil spill. 14 Many animals were hurt, or even worse died, from the oil that was in the ocean. Many of the dead animals were found on the shore, and affected the rest of the animals as well. Also, the number of affected animals was very large, which caused there to be a decrease in the population of wild life in Prince William Sound. 9 Citizens: Citizens are very upset about the pollution of the environment of their homes. One of the fishermen quoted, this is my home and its still covered in oil. I dont care about the cost! I want it back the way it was! 9 Another quote from same fisherman, Fishing season has been cancelled. I know I shouldnt be surprised whod want the fish from up here anyway? Everywhere, everything is a filthy brown. How do you clean up 11 million barrels of crude oil? Sometimes the whole thing seems impossible. But this is my home. I cant leave it especially like this. 9

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Cause
Captain of the ship: The Captain of the ship was intoxicated (Ashworth, 2001). The Captain gave temporary command of the supertanker to an unqualified and inexperienced subordinate, who made a mistake quickly in navigation and ran the ship aground onto a well-known reef (Ashworth, 2001). Builders and owners of the ship: The tanker was single-hulled instead of double-hulled. If Exxon had spent $2.25 million to fit the tanker with a double-hull instead of a single-hull, the corporation could have avoided an accident that is estimated to have cost $8.5 billion (Ashworth, 2001). The company: Exxon knew that this captain had a severe alcohol problem, said Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, summarizing the trial jurys findings. And yet they let him stay on voyage after voyage and did nothing about it. 5
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Responses
Alyeska Pipeline Company (a non-profit corporation created by oil companies to run the Valdez oil terminal) Immediately notified of the spill and sent a tug to help to stabilize the vessel2 The spill response barge was out of service at the time, and they arrived a day later2 The oil spill response system is now much improved after the Exxon spill7 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) A team of scientists arrived within hours of the spill15 The Coast Guard, Exxon, and other responders used NOAAs observations and predictions of the route of the spilled oil, Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps of the region, and weather forecasts to aid in clean-up15 Responders were told about the potential costs and benefits of alternative responses15 Starting in 1989, biologists began a long term study on the area affected by the spill, to observe the effects of the oil and cleanup, and the recovery of the area15 Exxon $2 billion effort only cleaned 10% of the oil, while wave action, evaporation, and bacterial degradation picked up the remaining 90% within the year7 Some types of treatment killed aquatic wildlife, and some treated areas are taking longer to recover than ones left alone7 30 000 tonnes of solid waste was produced by Exxon crew, more than all the communities in Prince William Sound produce in one year7 Cleaning crews and equipment used 4 million gallons of oil, more than 3 times the amount spilled7 In 1990 Exxon returned with a gentler cleanup method, which proved to be effective7
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Water Management
On march 24 1989, Alaska was struck by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill.2700 barrels was dumped into the Prince William Sound. 10 000 square miles were covered with crude oil. Exxon is now trying to clear the mess which they have created. What Exxon Has Done: Helicopters were using lasers and setting the oil on fire. The skimmers sucked up a couple thousand barrels of crude. 9 Dispersants (acts like a detergent that breaks the oil slick into droplets, which eventually sink) were used in order to clear the oil spill. They only had 4000 gallons but they needed 500 000. 9 They used skimmers to suck up the oil. 9 They were stringing hot water hoses along a section of beach. The water is turned on full and the oil is blasted down to the shoreline. Then workers with rinse hoses drive the oil into the water where booms trap it. Finally, skimmers come in and suck it up. What the oil hasnt already killed, the hot water does.9 They used fertilizer (Inipol) to develop an oil-eating bacteria that grows here naturally. The bacteria grows slowly in these cold temperatures and makes the clean-up more difficult.10 Fishermen and cleanup crew washed the rocks. Very tiring because there are so many. When its all cleaned, it becomes oily again after the tides.9 Fishermen trapped the oil and waited for skimmers to come and suck up the oil.9
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Environmental
Exxon was fined $150 million, the largest fine ever imposed for an environmental crime.2 The replacement costs were substantial! For marine animals(sea otters, whales, sea lions, seals) the cost ranged from $200 000 - $300 000. For eagles and seabirds, the cost ranged form $170 - $6000. The replacement costs for terrestrial animals (bears, river otters, mink, deer) was $125 $500.2 The spill covered 10 000 square miles of the Prince William Sound with crude oil thereby destroying many of the habitats located in that region. 4 Approximately 1000 sea otters were found dead due to the oil spill. When grooming themselves, oil is ingested and leads to death.1,4 5 fish hatcheries were destroyed by the oil spill. 16 Fishing communities lost millions of dollars in potential revenue from destroyed salmon, black cod, and herring spawning grounds. 4 There were a great amount of animals and sea animals killed. 1000 sea otters, 22 orcas, 250 bald eagles, and 250 000 seabirds.4

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Scientific
Government scientists and those hired by Exxon are arguing about whos right, by accusing each other of bias and violating the rules of science.8 The following are their arguments: Biased studies on oil remnants Govt: Exxon has attempted to find oil in places where you are guaranteed not to find any8 Data sharing Govt: Exxon has denied our requests on their information, and they have behaved aggressively to access ours8 Exxon: Unaware of denying any such requests, We have nothing to hide.8 Animals in oil affected regions Govt: Otters have shorter life spans and lower population. Fish eggs are less likely to survive and have development problems.8; 2 Exxon: Otters are exposed but not harmed by the oil, which could have come from a different source. Sampling methods used by the government have harmed the eggs8 Scientists have become more knowledgeable about nature: Clean-up efforts may be more damaging than the oil2 Some effects of the oil can worsen over time2 Ecosystems do not necessarily recover from certain types of damage13 As our population expands, restoration methods may not work or matter13 This can be changed by the way we choose to interact with ecosystems13
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Economic
Exxon has been ordered to pay five billion dollars in punitive damages to the Alaskan natives, fishermen, property owners, and many other people that were affected by the Exxon Valdez oil spill. 6 Joseph Hazelwood, the captain of the tanker, was also ordered by the federal jury to pay a fine of five thousand dollars. 6 The lawyers claimed that Exxon had learned its lesson after spending about 3 billion dollars to assist in the gigantic task of cleaning up the oil. 6 It is predicted that tourism and fisheries in Alaska are a $250 million business. In Prince William Sound, fishing is earns $130 million a year. The oil spill will effect the populations of the fish for years to come - even from now. 11 Exxon spent almost $2 million in one year cleaning up the oil spill. This was the most expensive oil spill by over a billion dollars. Exxon, with profits of 5.3 billion in 1998, was one of the few companies able to afford this expense. 11
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Social
Alaskans main sources of food, and water sources are contaminated and are no longer safe or reliable to eat. 10 The fishermen, hunters, and others that are relied upon for providing the food must be found in other places where the fish and animals are healthy to eat. 9 People are taught how to walk safely along the shorelines because of the affects of the oil spill; very slippery and disgusting. 9 Fishermen and Clean up crews work to clean the messes of the oil spill (almost) everyday, by picking up after dead animals, trapping oil for the skimmers to pick up, scrub the rocks of the bay, and more. 9 A programme called YAW (Youth Area Watch) was created in order to help the community and allow the children to learn from the effects and scientific reasoning. 10
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Political
The government is seeking additional funding from Exxon in order to subsidize the ongoing clean up costs from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Exxon was asked to pay another $92 million. 5 Justice heard arguments on whether a $2.5 billion punitive damages award against the energy giant for its role in the 1989 maritime accident was excessive. 5 Lawyers for the plaintiffs made points such as this one; Even a multibillion-dollar judgment amounts only to barely more than three weeks of Exxons net profits. 5 The company argued that they shouldnt have to pay the expenses, and that the case had been dragged on for far too long. 5 The people of Alaska have been greatly affected and inconvenienced by this oil spill both physically and emotionally. 5
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References
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. CBC. (May 16, 2006). Wildlife still feeling effects of Exxon Valdez oil spill. Retrieved March 4, 2008, from http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2006/05/16/exxon-valdez.html? ref=rss. Cleveland, C. (February 8, 2007). Exxon Valdez oil spill. Retrieved February 26, 2008, from http://www.eoearth.org/article/Exxon_Valdez_oil_spill. CNN. (June 1, 2006). CNN.com - Exxon asked to pay more to clean spill - Jun 1, 2006. Retrieved March 4, 2008, from http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/01/exxon.valdez/index.html?iref=newssearchCNN. (March 4, 1999). CNN - Conference to assess Exxon Valdez oil spill - March 4, 1999. Retrieved March 4, 2008, from http://www.cnn.com/NATURE/9903/04/valdez.enn/index.html.CNN. (n.d.). Exxon vs. Alaskans as high court takes on oil spill case - CNN.com. Retrieved March 4, 2008, from http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/27/scotus.exxon/index.html? iref=newssearch. (1994, September 17). Exxon to pay $5 billion for oil disaster, Boca News. p. 3A. Goldstein, B. (1992). The folly of the Exxon Valdez cleanup. Earth Island Journal, 7(1), 30. Guterman, L. (2004, September 24). Slippery science. Chronicle of Higher Education,51(5), A12-A16. Hamilton, Sue L. The Day of Disaster, Exxon Valdez. Minnesota: Minneapolis, 1990. Abdo and Daughters.

References
10. 11. 12. (1999). Learning from disaster. Current Health, 22(7). Lenssen, N. (1989, June 15). The Ocean Blues. World Watch, 2, 26-35(1989, March 24). NOAA's Ocean Service Office of Response and Restoration | <em>Exxon Valdez</em> Oil Spill. Retrieved March 24, 2008, from http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/gallery_gallery.php?RECORD_KEY %28gallery_index %29=joinphotogal_id,gallery_id,photo_id&joinphotogal_id(gallery_index)=171&gallery_id( gallery_index)=12&photo_id(gallery_index)=106. Okey, T. (2000, May-June). Lost Eden: A marine ecologist's search for meaning in an oil spill. E Magazine, 34-39. Philip Shabecoff (March 25, 1989). Largest U.S. Tanker Spill Spews 270,000 Barrels of Oil Off Alaska . New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2008, from http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html? res=950DE0D8103EF936A15750C0A96F948260&scp=2&sq=exxon+valdez+oil+spill&st= nyt. (February 1, 2008). Response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Retrieved March 20, 2008, from http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/topic_subtopic_entry.php?RECORD_KEY %28entry_subtopic_topic %29=entry_id,subtopic_id,topic_id&entry_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=262&subtopic_id(entry _subtopic_topic)=2&topic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (07/02/2004). Restoration Program - Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. Retrieved March 4, 2008, from http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/contaminants/exxon.htm.

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