Office of Spill Prevention and Response - OSPR

10/21/2026

The 38th Annual Meeting of the Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force will be held virtually and in person in the Sacramento area November 19.
The meeting provides an opportunity for the Task Force members and partners to share updates on their work on current and future issues in spill prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Learn more here: https://oilspilltaskforce.org/task-force-events/annual-meeting/

10/20/2026

Environmental Response to Oil Spills (EROS) training was offered in partnership with NOAA, and with support from the Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC). Channel Islands National Park Service hosted the training at their Ventura facility this year. Thanks to everyone involved on making this training a success.

10/16/2026

OSPR’s Central Region Prevention team joined several oil spill response organizations and other industry partners this week for a two-day training exercise in Kern County. In one of the exercises, responders tested on-water booming strategies on the California Aqueduct. These types of exercises ensure responders are prepared to take swift action in the event of an oil spill.

10/15/2026

10/12/2026

OSPR scientists led training last week to help responders understand the science involved in oil spill response. Environmental Response to Oil Spills (EROS) training was offered in partnership with NOAA, and with support from the Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC). Channel Islands National Park Service hosted the training at their Ventura facility.

Representatives from federal, state, tribal, non-governmental, and industry organizations attended the four-day sessions, which covered scientific response tactics and strategies used after a spill.

Classroom topics included federal and state roles in spill response, wildlife response considerations, oil chemistry, and natural resource damage assessment. Field training sessions focused on shoreline assessment, clean up methods, and on-water containment and recovery techniques.

10/09/2026

OSPR staff participated in the National Disability Employment Awareness Month job fair at the State Capitol this week. The event provides resources to individuals with disabilities who are interested in state service careers.
Approximately one in four adult Californians live with some type of disability. The state offers pragmatic accommodations to facilitate full participation in civil service for those interested.

10/05/2026

OSPR crew responded to a semi-truck accident near Los Banos in Merced County Friday. As a result of the collision, a saddle tank ruptured discharging approximately 15 gallons of diesel into a nearby wetland area. Boom and sorbent pads were deployed and contractors were hired to conduct the cleanup. An excavator was also used to remove the impacted soil and plants. No observed impacts to wildlife.

10/02/2026

OSPR’s Northern Response Team inspected a product tanker and tug barge during lightering operations at Anchorage 9 in the San Francisco Bay this week.
Lightering is the transfer of cargo between vessels while on water. In this case, renewable diesel arriving from Canada was transferred from the tanker to the tug and barge. This allowed the tanker to safely berth and deliver the remaining cargo to a storage farm for use here in California.
The boarding was conducted from OSPR Patrol Vessel Cabezon, and the team confirmed both vessels were in compliance with state regulations.
These inspections play a vital role in protecting California’s natural resources and wildlife by ensuring safe, responsible maritime operations.

10/01/2026

OSPR wildlife officer on-scene of sunken vessel at Fisherman’s Cut in the Delta in Contra Costa County. No fuel sheen observed on water and no oiled wildlife observed. Removal plans being developed by the vessel’s owner.