An Overview of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

ABSTRACT While the Exxon Valdez oil spill had a significant and far-reaching impact, important progress has been made since the massive cleanup operation was launched in the spring of 1989. In 1989, Exxon treated almost 1,100 miles of shoreline identified to be impacted. This effort involved more than 11,000 people and 1,400 marine vessels. Environmental recovery is well under way in areas impacted by the spill, thanks to nature's own cleansing power and man's efforts. The 1990 cleanup primarily used nonintrusive techniques and addressed 10 to 15 percent of the shoreline treated in 1989. Much has been learned about how to prevent and respond to such an incident in the future.