Suisun Resource Conservation District Takes Action to Reduce Impacts to Suisun Marsh Wetland and Wildlife Resources as Result of Tuesday's Diesel Oil Release.

News Editors/Environment Writers

SUISUN CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 30, 2004

The Suisun Resource Conservation District (SRCD) continues to work with state and federal agencies to mitigate the impact of a release of diesel oil from a petroleum pipeline in the Suisun Marsh on Tuesday, April 27th. The cause of the release is currently under investigation.

Following is a summary of the information and actions to date:

On April 28, 2004 at 5:30 p.m., Steven Chappell, Executive Director for the SRCD was contacted by the California Department of Fish & Games' Office of Oil Prevention and Response (OSPR) and informed that a petroleum pipeline, owned by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. (KMP), had released diesel oil into the Suisun Marsh. The release location was identified as south of Chadborne road on the east side of the Railroad, five miles south of Fairfield.

Steven Chappell of the SRCD dispatched to the release site to assist state and federal agencies in containing the spill. Upon identification of the release site, SRCD contacted the affected private landowner and took immediate action to close all water control structures at the site. This action was taken to prevent the spread and discharge of diesel oil to tidal sloughs and adjacent wetlands in the Suisun Marsh.

That evening, SRCD met with an Incident Command Team comprised of personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, OSPR, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to explain local site conditions, water control systems, and levee system integrity to contain the diesel oil. SRCD also prepared detailed aerial maps to assist state and federal agencies in the development of an action plan and impact assessment.

On Thursday, April 29th at 10:30 a.m., SRCD again met with the Incident Command Team and was updated on the extent of the impact to wetland areas and wildlife.

-- The SRCD has been advised by the agencies involved that all

diesel oil has been contained within a 220 acre managed

wetland area. The acreage of wetland impacted by diesel within

the 220 acres is still being determined.

-- Resource agencies are currently surveying the area for

wildlife species impacted or killed by the spill. One beaver,

one muskrat, and several waterfowl have been recovered.

-- Long-term wetland impacts are still to be determined.

The SRCD will continue to work with state and federal agencies and provide updates to landowners within the Suisun Marsh as more information becomes available.

Background Information on SRCD

The Suisun Resource Conservation District continues to represent over 150 private landowners within the Suisun Marsh on a variety of issues on Federal, State, and local levels. The District provides landowners technical assistance in permitting, water control, and habitat management to ensure the wetland and wildlife values of the Suisun Marsh are sustained and enhanced.

The Suisun Resource Conservation District covers 115,000 acres including:

-- 52,000 acres managed wetlands

-- 6,300 acres unmanaged tidal wetlands

-- 30,000 acres of bays and sloughs

-- 27,000 acres of upland grasslands

DISTRICT PROGRAMS

-- Suisun Marsh Fish Screening Program, ongoing program,

maintenance, landowner assistance.

-- Administration of US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Regional

General Permit including ongoing consultation with Fish &

Wildlife Service & National Marine Fisheries Service and

processing all landowner work permits.

-- USACE Diversion Monitoring & Landowner Notification

-- Landowner marsh management assistance (site inspections &

recommendations)

-- Phragmites Control Program Administration

-- Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP), Upland seed

planting

-- Suisun Marsh Preservation Agreement Committee (SMPA)

-- Mosquito Abatement Program, AB 299, provides cost-share funds

to participating clubs that require aerial abatement.

-- Pursuit of grants for additional Suisun Marsh improvements

Committee Participation

The SRCD maintains an active role in committee participation on federal, state, and local levels.

-- Suisun Marsh Charter Drafting Committee

-- CALFED Suisun Marsh Levee Investigation Team

-- SMPA Environmental Coordination Advisory Team (ECAT)