Laguna Beaches Reopen Thursday After 2 Weeks Of Oil Spill Closure

Laguna Beach CA

14 October, 2021

1:38 PM

Description

LAGUNA BEACH, CA —Thursday, officials shared the good news that the previously shuttered Laguna Beach city and county beaches are once again open for swimming. It has been two weeks since a massive oil spill closed Laguna Beaches. In that time, skimboarders and surfers were unable to dip toes in the Pacific Ocean from the shores of Laguna Beach. Lifeguards did their best to keep oceangoers out of the water due to the toxic tarballs and oil threatening the coastling. The shoreline and water in Laguna Beach reopened as of 8 a.m. with a few caveats, officials say. Two weeks ago, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach closed both sand and water after the toxic oil spill leaked between 30,000 and 144,000 gallons of oil into the Orange County coastal waters. Cleanup ensued which has been a long and painstaking process that included testing of area waters for contaminants. On Thursday, the water was declared open once again for swimmers. Still, the city reserves the right to reclose the shore if more oil appears. "Please pay close attention to any warning signs posted at or near beach areas," they reported on their website. "Oil spill residue may be present." When you go to the beach, use caution and avoid contact with any trace of oil, including tarballs. "If you see oil-contamination or oil tar balls on beaches, do not attempt to pick them up or touch them," they said. Please call the Marine Safety non-emergency line at (949) 497-0310 or email [email protected] Do not attempt to pick up or move injured or deceased wildlife related to the oil spill.Report wildlife impact by the oil spill to: Oiled Wildlife Care Network at (877) 823-6926 and HB Wetlands & Wildlife website."Thank you for your continued patience during the oil spill clean-up closures," a city spokesperson said.