Saltwater, Crude Oil, Wastewater - 2 Million Gallons Of Toxics Spilled On North Slope 1995 - 2005

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Now an upcoming state study shows that all kinds of spills, from crude to gasoline to tainted water, have occurred with regularity over the last decade on the remote wetlands of the Arctic tundra.

Oil companies reported about 2 million gallons of toxic spills from 1995 to 2005 at the enormous Prudhoe Bay field and surrounding region, according to the report provided to The Associated Press by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The study worries environmentalists who say the spills are chronic and have damaged the vast network of lakes and ponds to an unknown degree. But state environmental officials and some scientists say there is scant evidence that spills have caused long-term damage.

"The immediate effects really look bad, but usually they disappear pretty quickly," said Jay McKendrick, professor emeritus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He advises oil companies on replanting techniques after a spill. "The long-term effects on the tundra are pretty minimal."

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http://www.adn.com/money/industries/oil/story/9217397p-9133572c.html

Ed - Well, I guess we can all just relax then, huh?

they seemed quite attentive about preventing any releases to the environment, especially around the tundra ponds I inspected.

Under the Bush junta big oil has no problem sticking their finger in the eye of environmental protection regulatory authorities and getting away with it.