Wave Staff Report
EAST LOS ANGELES — The county Board of Supervisors approved a motion Supervisor Hilda Solis June 9 addressing the May 22 crude oil spill in East Los Angeles that followed a pipeline rupture near Eastern Avenue and Cesar E. Chavez Avenue during telecommunications work by a private company installing fiber optic cable.
As part of the motion, County Counsel will investigate the circumstances of the spill and pursue all available options to recover public funds spent on response and remediation, as well as damages to county infrastructure, natural resources and affected communities. Departments are required to report back within 90 days on response progress, recovery efforts and accountability measures.
The spill released crude oil from an underground pipeline, prompting immediate emergency response and road closures after oil seeped into the ground and entered nearby storm drain systems. Solis visited the site and observed hazardous conditions, including strong odors, roadway closures and impacts to nearby residents, students at surrounding schools and local businesses ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.
Oil ultimately reached the Los Angeles River, with downstream impacts reported across Southeast Los Angeles communities including Vernon, Maywood, Bell, Cudahy, South Gate and Lynwood, continuing to Long Beach, where wildlife impacts were also observed.
“East Los Angeles has long borne the burden of environmental injustices, from industrial contamination to repeated exposure to hazardous materials, and this incident underscores that ongoing reality,” Solis said. “This oil spill demands a full and sustained response to ensure the pipeline is secure, storm drains are thoroughly cleaned, and the L.A. River is fully remediated. At the same time, we must pursue accountability swiftly, thoroughly, and without exception to protect impacted communities and prevent further harm.”
Road closures and reduced foot traffic near the spill site caused significant losses for several small businesses, with some estimating up to $10,000 in daily losses and others warning they may struggle to meet rent obligations.
A unified command was established to manage the response and included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Restoration, the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the pipeline operator. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has primary state oversight of oil spill response and remediation.
The county Fire Department’s Health Hazardous Materials Division served as the lead within unified command after first responders arrived on scene. Public Works employees managed road closures and traffic rerouting, Public Health issued health advisories, and the Department of Economic Opportunity provided assistance to affected businesses. County personnel remained in the field in the days following the incident, coordinating with state and federal partners and supporting community outreach efforts.
Solis’ staff conducted door-to-door outreach to distribute information and resources to residents, addressing community concerns amid longstanding distrust of responsible parties and uncertainty about the pace and completeness of remediation.
The motion directs county departments to continue coordinating with state and federal partners as cleanup and recovery efforts proceed, monitor public health and safety impacts, and maintain ongoing support for affected residents and businesses. It also directs the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs to assist businesses with the claims process and ensure timely resolution from the responsible parties.
