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Project Abstract: Chronic
Oil Pollution in the United States:
Causes and Legislative Controls
The term "chronic oil pollution" is
used to describe a persistent release of oil at
a low concentrations that result from the inefficient
extraction, transportation, and consumption of
oil. Approximately 75 million gallons of oil are
released into waters of the United States each
year; 26.7 million gallons of this total originate
from chronic sources, including run-off from land-based
activities, recreational marine vehicle use, and
atmospheric deposition. 47 million gallons on
average are released from natural seeps and 1.5
million gallons result from tank vessel spills.
Chronic oiling affects marine wildlife through
lethal and sublethal effects, including slowed
growth or reproductive rates, altered physiological
functions, and molecular-level changes (hormone
and DNA disruption). Through the disruption of
reproduction cycles and changes in other population
dynamics, chronic oil pollution affects the stability
of the marine ecosystem as a whole. Chronic oiling
"hotspots" in the United States include
the Gulf of Mexico, the northeast Atlantic seaboard,
and coastal California.
In the United States, the main federal legislation
regulating oil spills, the Oil Pollution Act (OPA)
and the Clean Water Act, are not being applied
to prevent and respond to chronic oil releases.
The OPA, which was passed in 1990 after the Exxon
Valdez accident, has been successful in decreasing
accidental spills from tank vessels, but has not
adequately combated chronic discharges of oil
pollution.
Earthpace prepared a white paper
that (1) outlines the extent of oil pollution
from catastrophic and chronic sources in the United
States, (2) describes the effects of oil pollution
on marine wildlife, (3) critiques the existing
legal framework for controlling oil pollution
at the federal level and in select states, and
(4) presents case studies of chronic oiling events.
The white paper concludes by presenting recommendations
to raise awareness to the issue of chronic oiling
and to limit future releases through legislative
and communication strategies.
Contact Earthpace, LLC for more
information.
printable
version 
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Earthpace
provided technical assistance to a major international
non-government organization regarding the development
of policy options and advocacy opportunities to respond
to the increasing threat to seabirds, human health and
the environment posed by chronic oiling from land and
marine-based sources. The analysis included impact on
communities, natural resources, and the economy. 
