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[KingstonsMom]

A major oil spill off the coast of Southern California fouled popular beaches and killed wildlife while crews scrambled Sunday to contain the crude before it spread further into protected wetlands.

At least 126,000 gallons (98,420 liters) of oil spilled into the waters off Orange County, according to a statement from the city of Huntington Beach. That equates to around 3,000 barrels of oil. 

'The spill has significantly affected Huntington Beach, with substantial ecological impacts occurring at the beach and at the Huntington Beach Wetlands,' the statement said.

The Los Angeles Times reported that birds and fish have been killed. Crews led by the U.S. Coast Guard deployed skimmers and floating barriers known as booms to try to stop further incursion into the wetlands and the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

The coastline was closed from the Huntington Beach Pier nearly 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) south to the Santa Ana River jetty. 

The Times said the oil slick is believed to have originated from a pipeline leak, while Orange County supervisor Katrina Foley tweeted that the oil spilled from Platform Elly, operated by Beta Offshore, a Long Beach unit of Houston's Amplify Energy.

Huntington Beach officials shared a statement early Sunday saying 'while the leak has not been completely stopped, preliminary patching has been completed to repair the oil spill site,' with additional repairs planned.

'We classify this as a major spill, and it is a high priority to us to mitigate any environmental concerns,' said Jennifer Carey, a Huntington Beach city spokesperson. 'It's all hands on deck.' 

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said the spill was estimated to be around 5 miles off the coast.

The pipeline leak originates from a platform located in federal waters. It sits on top of an oil reservoir underneath coastal waters known as Beta Field, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Massive leak from pipeline sees 126,000 gallons of oil pour onto California beaches | Daily Mail Onl...

[spent2much]

SO very sad.  

[golding76]

Harrowing and depressing.  The land.  The ocean.  The animals.   Another nightmare.

[What deleterious effect will this have on the people in that area and in its environs?  Will this effect radiate even further?]

[patbz]

If you see this covered on T.V. please note the huge number of cargo ships in the distance; just a small part of the backup near Los Angeles ports.

[goldensrbest]

We are destroying our earth,and animals. 

[SilleeMee]

Humanity is the cancer of the earth.

[bmorechick]

So incredibly sad...we have poisoned the land, polluted the streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes and now have moved onto the seas and oceans.  

I have always said that man is the worse thing to happen this planet 🌍 

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Terrible.

Never have understood the "boomer" bashing when it comes to the environment. We were the flower children of the generation.

Conserve.  Conserve.

[DiAnne]

I have a friend who just moved to Huntington Beach so I am interested to hear what she thinks.  

[tucsongal]

@suzyQ3 is this anywhere near you? I would imagine the effects are widespread, so very sad.