The Region - News from Jan. 7, 1986

Mobil Oil Corp. faces a maximum federal fine of $5,000 resulting from a spill of more than 12,000 gallons of crude oil into Los Angeles Harbor, a Coast Guard spokesman said. The Sunday spill from a malfunctioning valve at a Mobil dock reached Cabrillo Beach and stained rocks and jetties, but was not believed to have endangered marine life or birds, the spokesman said. A Mobil source said it is not yet clear how much the cleanup would cost the firm. Lt. (j.g.) James Mahoney of the Coast Guard’s environmental protection section in Long Beach said the service would issue a violation report, which probably would result in a penalty under the federal Clean Water Act. The maximum corporate fine, he said, was $5,000. “The real penalty comes from cleaning up the spill,” Mahoney said. “I don’t think Mobil will argue much on this case. They’ll just send us a check.”