Trial Starts Today in Lawsuit Against Owner of Tanker in 1990 Oil Spill

Lawyers in a Santa Ana courtroom today will retrace events surrounding the infamous 1990 American Trader tanker spill, which fouled 15 miles of beaches and is known as one of Orange County’s worst environmental disasters of recent times.

Opening statements are expected this morning in a major civil suit launched by state and local governments seeking compensation for the damage caused Feb. 7, 1990, when the tanker ran aground off Huntington Beach and ruptured on its anchor. The spill of 400,000 gallons of crude oil killed more than 1,000 birds and is considered Southern California’s worst in two decades.

The jury trial in Orange County Superior Court could mark the final chapter in a suit that already has yielded millions of dollars in settlements by major companies, including BP America.

But American Trading Transportation Co., which owned and operated the tanker, has not settled, say lawyers involved in the case, and after long delays, the trial is getting under way in front of Judge William F.

In a suit filed in January 1991, officials sought millions of dollars from a host of companies, including American Trading and BP America, which owned the oil and chartered the tanker.

Settlements totaling $7 million with BP America and a petroleum industry fund were reached in 1995. The money was earmarked for restoring and protecting wildlife habitat as well as pollution-monitoring projects and response costs. A separate, $4.15-million settlement with Golden West Refining Co. was announced in 1996. Golden West operated the tanker terminal where the tanker attempted to moor.

State Deputy Atty. Gen. Sylvia C. Hale said late Monday she believes the evidence will show that damages of about $20 million resulted from the spill, and that plaintiffs hope to win $9 million in the trial and another $5 million to $6 million in interest.

The law firm representing American Trading could not be reached for comment Monday.

Times correspondent Jeff Kass contributed to this story.