Another Oil Sheen Spotted Off the OC Coast

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HUNTINGTON BEACH (CNS) - For the second time in about a week, authorities today were investigating an oil sheen spotted off the coast of Huntington Beach.

The sheen was detected Wednesday about a mile offshore from Bolsa Chica State Beach, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response. The source of the sheen was unknown, but there were no immediate impacts on the shoreline.

According to OSPR, ``protective strategies'' were implemented overnight at ``sensitive environmental sites'' as a precaution, including Talbert Marsh, Bolsa Chica wetlands, Newport Slough and the Santa Ana River.

``An overflight is scheduled for this (Thursday) morning,'' according to an OSPR Twitter post. ``Samples were collected yesterday as part of the investigation and the source is yet to be determined.''

Last week, authorities responded to an oil sheen in roughly the same area, but about two miles off the coast. Investigators said that sheen did not appear to be the result of a pipeline leak.

A major pipeline leak was deemed responsible for a large release of oil that occurred off the Orange County coast in early October, prompting the closure of beaches and businesses along the shoreline.


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