Local government response to the American Trader oil spill of 1990: Implications for policy

Abstract

In February 1990, the tanker American Trader ran aground and spilled c. 9500 barrels (bbls) of Alaskan crude oil 2286m (7500 ft) off Huntington Beach, California. Five coastal cities were threatened by the spill, and two were especially active in directing responses to the spill's impacts. In spite of this existing threat, only one city had a prepared, oil-spill contingency plan. Key questions that arose were who was in charge, the role of dispersants and how to clean the beaches. Problems of communications, slick monitoring, volunteers, boat harbors and the media were present. Lessons learned were the need for joint oil-spill planning, clarification of the role of the state, the need for a joint command center, the need to plan for volunteers and the vital role for local governments.