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Foley said one positive takeaway from the spill was that it became a “great model for how public agencies at the federal, state and local level can partner together, including partnering with local business and residents.” She also said it drove home the effects of offshore oil drilling, both economic and environmental. It’s time to “get moving on that [transition] process in a way that’s thoughtful, but is planning for a future for California that does not include oil rigs off the coast,” she said. Christian Corbo, the patrol lieutenant with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife who served as the state’s on-scene coordinator, expressed gratitude to the hundreds of responders who “rushed in with their experience and expertise early on and remained committed over the course of the response.” “We are grateful to all the dedicated scientists, wildlife care experts, technical specialists and law enforcement personnel who commit themselves to protecting our natural resources,” Corbo said in a statement. The Department of Fish and Wildlife in November determined it was safe to eat seafood taken from the waters, and fishing operations off Orange County have resumed. U.S. Coast Guard Captain Rebecca Ore, the incident’s federal on-scene coordinator, echoed Corbo’s sentiment. “The collaborative efforts of the first responders, public safety professionals, assessment teams and response workers were critical to ensure our waters, beaches and wildlife were cleaned to the highest standard,” she said, noting that the response included more than 1,800 personnel. Officials said the oiled sand and debris are being disposed of in a special landfill designed for petroleum-contaminated material. The spill response will now enter a “transition period” in which the unified command will monitor for incidents of tar balls and oil, and analyze any findings to determine their source. Members of the public are asked to report any sizable sightings of oil or oily debris to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. Once the unified command team determines that the transition period is over, the oil spill response will officially conclude.
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