Oil Seepage Found in Mountain Creeks Linked to Quakes

VENTURA — Crude oil equivalent to 60 barrels or more has been found in creeks in the Ventura County mountains in the last two weeks, the result of a natural seepage that authorities believe was triggered by recent earthquakes.

The oil, discovered July 8 in tributaries of the Santa Clara River, was removed before it could cause significant environmental damage, said Dave Schmidt, a spokesman for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But Schmidt said the seepage is continuing at the rate of one to two gallons an hour. He and other environmental officials said they fear that if the oil is not stopped it could eventually affect the habitat of two endangered species: a fish called the unarmored threespine stickleback, and a bird known as the least Bell’s Vireo.

“It’s not a major spill, but we are concerned about any amount of oil that enters state waters, particularly because of the endangered species in that area,” said Roger Reese of the state Department of Fish and Game.