On Tuesday, a Plains All American Pipeline burst, releasing some 21,000 gallons of oil into the Pacific Ocean near Santa Barbara, California. The long-term impacts of that spill won’t be known for a while, although there’s already been damage reported to local wildlife (and businesses). Photojournalist and Santa Barbara resident Gail Osherenko has been on the scene all week, documenting the spill and clean-up efforts—along with the ensuing protests. Below, what Osherenko has seen so far:
Oil spill clean-up crews walk the beach at Refugio State Park. Oil still coats the rocks at the high tide line. (Photo: Gail Osherenko)
A clean-up crew wearing hazmat suits gathers oil by hand, rake, and shovel. (Photo: Gail Osherenko)
One of the crews cleaning oil off the beach at Refugio passes plastic bags of oiled kelp, sand, and debris up the slope. (Photo: Gail Osherenko)
Oil is visible in the waves and on Refugio State Beach. The spill now covers seven miles of coastline and is spread over 9 ½ square miles of ocean. (Photo: Gail Osherenko)
An oil spill worker scrubs oil off his rubber boots before taking a midmorning break. (Photo: Gail Osherenko)
Huge trash bins in the parking lot at Refugio Beach State Park. Bins are labeled for “clean trash only,” “wildlife,” or “oily bucket (bucket brigade).” (Photo: Gail Osherenko)
On Thursday, environmental and social justice activists rallied on the steps of the Santa Barbara Courthouse to stop oil drilling and fracking, and to advocate for a move to renewable energy. (Photo: Gail Osherenko)
The organization Get Oil Out has been fighting to stop oil drilling since the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. On Thursday, members rallied on the steps of the Santa Barbara Courthouse. (Photo: Gail Osherenko)
A pelican partially covered in oil, on Goleta Beach Pier. (Photo: Gail Osherenko)
Volunteers cleaning up Goleta Beach. (Photo: Gail Osherenko)
