More leaky oil wells get capped this month in Summerland

SUMMERLAND, Calif. - Old abandoned oil wells, leaking in the waters off Summerland will be capped this month in a specially funded project from the state.

The money is allocated at $2-million a year in Senate Bill 44, authored by Santa Barbara State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson who ushered the legislation through based on research here and other areas where old wells were never sealed properly.

Some date back more than 100 years.

The fund pays for the well capping and the clean up of other coastal hazzards, such as old rusty pipes in the surfline off Goleta.

The current project will seal up the Northstar and Treadwell leaks.

A previous project capped the Becker well.

All have contributed to oil pollution on shore and infuriated Summerland residents for years when the currents sent the oil to the shoreline.

The work on the current two projects will involve two special vessels, a crew and a cordoned off area.

It should be completed by the middle of the month.

The Santa Barbara based Heal the Ocean organization has been closely coordinating some of the mapping and aerial photography to bring the projects to the finish line.