Today, March 24th, is the 15th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Prince William Sound
It was an event beyond comprehension. The impact on this state was huge.
Exxon's behavior was reprehensible - and I'm not talking about what went on before the spill. No. Their actions after the spill showed them to be arrogant beyond belief and virtually without remorse. Exxon is the embodiment of a sociopathic corporation.
So, enough ranting about Exxon. Here are some spill factoids from the truly superb State of Alaska oil spill web site:
- Valdez is pronounced Valdeez.
- On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez grounded on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound.
- Over 11 million gallons of oil were spilled - the equivalent of 125 olympic sized swimming pools.
- The oil slick coated 1,300 miles of shoreline and reached the village of Chignik on the Alaska Peninsula, 460 miles southwest of Bligh Reef. 200 miles were heavily or moderately coated. 1,100 miles were lightly or very lightly oiled.
- It terms of actual volume spilled, the Exxon Valdez is no longer on the top 50 list of biggest international spills. However, in terms of damage to environment, it is considered number one. This is because of the rugged shore line - lots and lots of nooks and crannies for the oil to seep into, abundant wildlife, and the remote location.
- An estimated 250,000 seabirds were killed.
- An estimated 2,800 sea otters were killed.
- An estimated 300 harbor seals were killed.
- An estimated 250 bald eagles were killed.
- An estimated 22 killer whales were killed.
- Billions of fish eggs were destoyed.
- Even today, in most areas that were heavily slimed, one can take a garden spade, dig down a few inches and hit "bubblin' crude", Just like Jed Clampett - although not at all funny.
- In 1991, the US Government and the State of Alaska settled their lawsuit against Exxon for $900 million.
Below are some pictures from the state oil spill web site - they will break your heart...
7:45:20 PM 
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Oiled cormorant on a rocky oil-covered shore.
Oiled sea otter on shore.
Bald Eagle in rehabiliation.