An investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife alongside the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has revealed that a petroleum spill in Grimes Canyon Creek was caused by an Advanced Industrial Services, Inc. (AIS) employee operating a vacuum truck. The incident was first discovered by the California Natural Resources Group on November 1, 2022, prompting environmental officials to begin an inquiry into the source of the contamination found in a dry creek bed at the Dryden oil lease facility in Fillmore.
Investigators pieced together the events leading up to the spill using physical evidence, logbooks, photographs, tire tread analysis, and witness statements; they determined that on that early morning around 4:00 a.m., the temporary AIS driver loaded contaminated water into his truck, backed it up to the creek, and unlawfully discharged approximately 150 gallons of the waste into a nearby ravine. The driver, in violation of regulations, did not report the illegal dumping.
"This case underscores the importance of thorough environmental investigations and the critical role of state and local partnerships to protect Ventura County's natural resources," said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, in a statement obtained by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. He emphasized the goal of the subsequent settlement: "The objective of this settlement is to ensure that harmful discharges into our environment do not reoccur." Following the investigation, AIS agreed to a $29,736 settlement with the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, and the company is now under permanent injunction against such illegal disposal activities.
The authorities have called for public vigilance and reporting of any potential environmental infractions, to safeguard local waterways and ecosystems. Such reports are critical, in aiding the efforts of state and local agencies to preserve the delicate balance of our natural habitats. For more details on this investigation, visit the Ventura County District Attorney's Office at this link.
