Grimy Times has uncovered the latest details on a devastating oil spill that ravaged 100 miles of New England coastline in 2003.
According to sources, Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. and its affiliates will fork over a whopping $6 million to settle a portion of the federal and state natural resource damages claims for the April 2003 spill of up to 98,000 gallons of oil into Buzzards Bay.
This is in addition to damage assessment costs for federal and state governments of almost $1.6 million. The settlement was announced by Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice, who stated, “Today’s settlement holds accountable those responsible for the spill that impacted 100 miles of New England coastline.”
The oil spill occurred on April 27, 2003, when the tug Evening Tide was towing the unmanned tank barge Bouchard B. 120, which was carrying No. 6 fuel oil. The barge grounded on a shoal soon after entering the western approach to Buzzards Bay, rupturing its hull and allowing the release of the cargo.
Cleanup of the oiled shoreline took months, including at Barney’s Joy and Hoppy’s Landing, where a heavy oil coated boulders and cobble. Hundreds of loons, seaducks and other birds were killed as a result of the spill.
The beaches, which function as breeding and forage habitats for shorebirds, such as piping plovers, were impacted by the spill. In addition, the oil spill adversely affected the public’s use of Buzzards Bay waters and the adjoining coastline, by causing the oiling and temporary closure of shellfishing beds throughout the bay and restricting boat and beach access.
Bouchard Transportation earlier reached a criminal plea agreement as a result of the spill, agreeing to a fine of $10 million. In the criminal matter, the company was charged with negligently piloting the Evening Tide resulting in the death of migratory birds in violation of the Federal Migratory Bird Act.
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley weighed in on the settlement, stating, “The Bouchard oil spill in Buzzards Bay caused extensive damage to our shoreline, to wildlife in the area, and to Massachusetts businesses and citizens who rely on Buzzards Bay for their livelihoods and for recreation. This settlement, while not a substitute for prevention, will help to restore those precious resources.”
Related Federal Cases
- Harvard-Trained FinServ Founder Faces Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Charges · Massachusetts
- Crypto Con Man Squeezed $700K From Investors · Massachusetts
- Haverhill Crypto Hustle: $625K Gone · Massachusetts
- Grandparent Scam: $5M Raked in, Man Extradited · Massachusetts
- Opioid Epidemic: HHS-OIG’s Crackdown on Treatment Gaps · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Environmental Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
