On June 12, 2010, Chevron’s crude oil pipeline near Red Butte Gardens fractured, dumping over 800 barrels or 35,000 gallons of oil down Red Butte Creek. Oil from the spill contaminated Red Butte Creek, the pond at Liberty Park, the Jordan River and the Great Salt Lake. A second spill occurred from the same pipeline about 75 yards from the original spill on December 1, 2010 sending 100 more barrels of oil into the neighboring grounds.
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Impacts of the spill spread well beyond contamination of Salt Lake City’s waterways. Some of the initial impacts include oil covered wildlife, dead fish and birds, sicknesses for individuals close to the spill areas, significant property damage, and stream bank destabilization. It must be stressed that time will likely reveal broader impacts to public health, local ecology and the shallow aquifer where carcinogens may accumulate.
Despite cleanup efforts over the last year, residents and the Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) were still able to locate oil in Red Butte Creek as recently as August 2011. But in September 2011, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Governor Herbert proposed a meager $4.5 million settlement which ignored the substantial health impacts and widespread presence of carcinogens. Chevron’s paltry settlement with the city in September will be unable to address the long term health concerns that will likely arise as a result of the spill.
The URC is urging for the Mayor Becker and Governor Herbert to hold Chevron responsible for this catastrophic spill that will surely affect the Salt Lake valley for years to come. Chevron has pledged to cover all costs associated with the clean up. Why have they gotten off the hook so easy?
Oil flowing into Liberty Park
Related Posts
September 6, 2011: Chevron Red Butte Settlement Unacceptable
September 6, 2011: Red Butte Settlement Press Release – Mayor’s Office
November 22, 2010: Chevron Evading Red Butte Creek Oil Spill Responsibility