PORTLAND, Ore. � The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians (Trustees) have released a draft plan to restore natural resources impacted by an oil spill that occurred near Toledo, Oregon in 2001. The draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan, and associated Environment Assessment, are available for public review and comment for 30 days, through August 1, 2025.
The spill from an overturned fuel tanker spread along 17 miles of the lower Yaquina River, impacting salmon, migratory birds, beavers, and other wildlife within the river’s riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian and upper estuary habitats. In addition to impacting the area’s natural resources, the Siletz Tribe has important cultural ties to the Yaquina River and Yaquina Estuary.
The Oil Pollution Act allows natural resource Trustees to submit a claim for monetary damages to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the restoration of natural resources lost as a result of the Blue Line Transportation Spill. The preferred option for making the public and environment whole for damages caused by the spill, is to help fund acquisition and habitat restoration on the 316-acre Boone-Nute Slough, a wetland along the Yaquina River near the accident site.
This is a cost-effective alternative that has a high likelihood of successfully restoring natural resources lost from the 2001 Blue Line Transportation Spill. Although the Trustees� contribution to the property’s purchase would be small compared to the overall cost of the property, funds obtained from the monetary settlement would have significant ecological benefits and more than compensate for losses caused by the spill.
Trustees will review and respond to public comments in the final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan. To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or before August 1, 2025. Submit your comments on the draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment in writing by any one of the following methods:
- U.S. Mail: Michele Zwartjes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2127 SE Marine Science Dr., Newport, OR 97365
- Email: [email protected]. Please include “Blue Line Transportation Spill Re Restoration Plan Comments� in the subject line.
You may obtain a copy of the draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan online at , or by U.S. mail: send a request to Michele Zwartjes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2127 SE Marine Science Dr., Newport, OR 97365.
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