STATEMENT OF HON. LLOYD BENTSEN, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS Mr Chairman, I regret that I cannot be with you personally today in Corpus Christi, but I appreciate this opportunity to offer my comments to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries concerning the impact of the Mexican oil spill on the Texas Gulf Coast The Committee is addressing a situation that is of profound importance to the people of Texas and the nation. The appearance of Mexican oil on Texas beaches has created problems and precedents involving far-reaching questions of international liability. It has challenged our technological ability to contend with a problem of unprecedented magnitude. And finally, it will test our capacity to assist in a prompt and effective manner those individuals and businesses that have suffered as a result of a situation over which they have no control. Despite the Mexican government's initial unfavorable reaction to our request to begin talks on the question of liability, I consider the matter far from closed. Pemex has a responsibility for the spills cost and I have urged the Administration to pursue forcefully its effort to engage the Mexicans in negotiations on this issue. I can see no good reason why the United states should allow the spoiling of our beaches without a strong diplomatic effort to demand restitution. Imagine what the reaction from Mexico would be if oil from an American off-shore well was polluting resort beaches in Cancun or Acapulco. The Mexican oil spill has forced us to develop and refine techniques for dealing with such situations. I think the Coast Guard has done an excellent job of damage containment in this instance, and is to be complimented for its efforts and technological innovations. Hopefully the disaster at South Padre Island has taught us some important lessons, but I exhort the Coast Guard to continue in its development of the state of the art of oil spill control, testing every feasible new idea, and making use of all that prove practical. To that end, coordination of the host of Federal agencies responding to this situation is essential. Duplicative efforts cannot be condoned, and a synchronized response must be fundamental to the Federal Government's effort. I will personally accept nothing less. The basic issue of your hearing today, however, is neither the question of liability nor the effectiveness of our response to the emergency. It is rather to determine what can be done to assist the thousands of citizens who have been adversely affected by the situation. When the State of Texas requested disaster declarations for the seven counties impacted by the spill, I immediately contacted the Small Business Administration and asked them to respond as quickly as possible to the request. I was pleased by the S.B.A.'s timely reaction, and I certainly hope that we can maintain the momentum by accelerating the processing of every application for assistance. Already suffering from a natural disaster, the people of this region cannot be left to sink in a bureaucratic quagmire. Those who have been laid off or are in danger of losing their businesses cannot subsist on red tape and excuses. They need prompt, effective S.B.A. assistance, and I will certainly work with the Committee to see that it is forthcoming. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I want to commend you and your Committee members for listening to the people directly affected by the situation. Listening to the problems they have encountered, I look forward to working with you to address those problems in the most effective manner. I appreciate your consideration, and I urgently await the results of your efforts this weekend. U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES, Washington, D.C., September 10, 1979. Mr. JACK P. WOOLSTENHULME, Assistant Regional Director, Environment, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, N. Mex. DEAR MR. WOOLSTENHULME: Thank you for appearing before the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries and the Committee on Public Works and Transportation at our joint hearing in Corpus Christi, concerning the effects of the IXTOC I oil spill. Because there are many facets to this issue and time was limited, a number of questions concerning fish and wildlife were not addressed at the hearing. While I understand that various fish and wildlife-related studies are just getting underway, it would be helpful if you would supply, for the record, answers to the following questions: 1. In general, what are the potential effects on fish and wildlife and their habitats, directly or indirectly, of this continuing spill? Compare these potential effects with those documented to date. 2. There was testimony that some oil has already penetrated the passes and reached the sheltered bays. What are the potential effects if significant amounts of oil reach these estuarine habitats? 3. Most testimony concerning damages focused on the Texas coast. What has been the effect on fish and wildlife along the Mexican coast? 4. Which threatened or endangered species may be affected by this spill and how might they be affected? 5. Have you readied any contingency plans in the event that wildlife species, whooping cranes, redhead ducks, etc., are threatened by the oil spill? 6. There was testimony by Dr. Hans Suter, apparently based on casual observation, that intertidal organisms along extensive stretches of barrier beaches have been killed. Do you have any observations which corroborate this? Will any of the proposed follow-up studies address this question? Please respond as best you can, given the present state of knowledge. Where there are serious gaps in your present knowledge, please indicate whether research proposed under the IXTOC I Oil Spill Damage Assessment Plan will provide the needed information. Thank you again for the help you have provided the Committee, and for the work you have done on behalf of fish and wildlife affected by the IXTOC I oil spill. Sincerely, PAUL N. MCCLOSKEY, JR., U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, Albuquerque, N. Mex., September 26, 1979. Hon. PAUL N. MCCLOSKEY, Jr., Dear Mr. MCCLOSKEY: Thank you for your letter of September 10, 1979, requesting additional information on fish and wildlife as it relates to the IXTOC I oil spill. I appreciate the opportunity to supply for the record, answers to questions which you have asked. My response states your questions in the order presented in your letter. My answer follows each question. Question No. 1. In general, what are the potential effects on fish and wildlife and their habitats, directly or indirectly, of this continuing spill? Compare these potential effects with those documented to date. Answer. The full effects of the oil spill on fish and wildlife, to date, are not known. There are indications, however, that the oil has affected a wide variety of fauna including shorebirds, pelagic sea birds, sea turtles, and marine fishes. To date, approximately 25 disabled or dead birds have been delivered to Fish and Wildlife Service rehabilitation facilities which are located along the Texas Coast. The birds have been moderately to heavily coated with oil. Fourteen birds were alive at delivery and all were cleaned. Of these, seven birds died after cleaning, five have been released, and two are still being held. Six sea turtles have been brought to Service facilities. Five turtles were dead on arrival, one was alive and was cleaned and it is doing well. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists and scientists from various public and private sectors have made observations of shorebirds along the Texas beaches. Shorebirds observed on barrier-island beaches have had considerable oil on their feet and legs. Terns have obviously ingested oil while feeding in these areas. Stained plummage in the anal area substantiates this. We have very little information regarding effects of the spill on marine fishes. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists have indicated that red drum are being adversely affected by oil pollution. Red drum spawn in the open Gulf area alont the beach during the fall season. The larvae resulting from these activities are in the polluted zone and mortality has occurred. The above indicates that losses of fish and wildlife are occurring but the evidence does not give us any indication regarding the total extent of the losses. Perhaps we have been lucky to date but I am highly concerned with the potential losses if the spill continues, and Gulf currents resume their northerly flow in the spring season. The oil could again impact the Texas beaches along the barrier islands and may penetrate the inner lagoons and estuaries. If the latter occurs we can expect some very serious results. We are fortunate in the Texas area because barrier islands |