|
|
Case: Citgo
Refinery, Calcasieu River, LA
 |
Date of incident: June 19, 2006.
Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Trustees:
Case status: Injury Assessment Phase.
Overview: A heavy rain event caused approximately three million
gallons of oil to discharge from a CITGO storage tank at their Lake Charles
refinery. Impacts to coastal habitat, bivalves, and bottom-dwelling fish have
been documented. The Calcasieu River ship channel, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway,
and Prien, Moss, and Calcasieu Lakes are areas with high commercial and
recreational use. Temporary closures of the waterways resulted in lost
human use.
NOAA has a long history of addressing contaminants in the Calcasieu River
basin, and restoration options are available. NOAA is working cooperatively
with the federal and state natural resource co-trustees and CITGO during
assessment activities. The extent and severity of contamination and its effect
on natural resources and services will determine the amount and type of
restoration needed to address any associated injuries.
|
|
|
