Natural resource impacts from the North Cape oil spill

Abstract

The North Cape spill of 828,000 gallons of home heating oil was unique in that the natural resources most affected by the spill were water column and benthic resources. There was a fishery closure, extensive mortality of offshore benthic organisms (e.g., lobsters, surf clams, crabs), oil contamination of the water and sediments of the coastal salt ponds, and exposure of fish in the salt ponds. Studies initiated during the preassessment phase of the natural resource damage assessment included assessment of: direct mortality and reduced reproduction of lobster, winter flounder, and piping plovers; sublelhal impacts on juvenile fish growth rates and survival: sediment loxicity; prey base impacts in the ponds; and extent and weathering of oil in the water column and sediments. Four technical working groups were formed to assist injury quantification and identification of restoration alternatives: salt pond communities; marine communities; birds; and economics. Each group was responsible for coordinating all aspects of damage assessment for the identified resource; ensuring that the damage assessment for the identified resource is complete and defensible; and assisting in the development and scaling of restoration options for the injured resource. This paper presents an overview of the natural resource impacts for each of the major habitats and/or resources affected by the spill.