The Trustees, in cooperation with the responsible party and its representatives, pre-assessed the nature and extent of potential injuries to trust resources associated with the Delaware Bay and its tributaries. Analyses of sediment samples, horseshoe crab eggs, and water samples, as well as field observations and best professional judgment, were used to assess the ecological impact from the oil spill. The Trustees also assessed recreational losses incurred by boaters and beach-goers.

The Trustees have determined that potential natural resource injuries include:

• Shoreline habitat. Approximately 40 miles of shoreline have been oiled to varying degrees. Affected shoreline type is predominantly vegetated sand beach.
• Horseshoe crabs and their habitat. The spill occurred just prior to the height of horseshoe crab spawning season. The oiled shorelines are prime spawning habitat. Analysis of PAHs in the eggs showed little to no exposure to horseshoe crab eggs.
• Surface water resources, including fish.
• Intertidal sediments. At least one sediment core shows oil from this spill penetrated into the subsurface (5 to 20cm) of the intertidal zone.
• Wildlife. Several birds were oiled during the release. There were no known bird mortalities as a result of this oil release.