PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles creek restoration project is benefiting from an oil spill nearly two years ago by the Alaska Tanker Co. of Beaverton, Ore.
The ATC tanker Prince William Sound spilled about 400 gallons of Alaska North Slope crude into Port Angeles Harbor on July 29, 2001.
“While this was a regrettable spill, we are pleased that Alaska Tanker Co. has acted responsibly and was willing to address the state penalty by providing significant funding to a restoration project in the area affected by the spill,”‘ said Dale Jensen, manager of state Department of Ecology’s spill-prevention program.
Under a settlement agreement with Ecology, the petroleum carrier will contribute $25,000 to expand the Valley Creek restoration project near Port Angeles.
The amount equals the penalty Ecology levied to the company for the spill into Port Angeles Harbor.
The restoration project, located near the intersection of Front and First streets, is rehabilitating the creek entrance so it can support salmon runs.
An additional $11,000 could be awarded to the project if the state approves the city’s application for natural-resource damage funds paid by Alaska Tanker Co. last year.