UPDATE: Summerland leaking oil well project will shut down two big problem sites this summer

SUMMERLAND, Calif. -Wasting no time now that money is available,  the clean up of some of the worst leaking abandoned wells off the California coast is underway in Summerland.

Hillary Hauser with Heal the Ocean has been coordinating this effort with State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, the State Lands Commission and companies that specialize in capping leaks.

"It is a huge breakthrough to get two of the biggest messes taken care of," said Hauser.  Currently the work is at the Northstar well.  The crew is also inspecting the Treadwell site nearby, another known leak site."It's enormous we are going to get these big bad boys," said Hauser.

From the air it is very apparent where the oil is coming from and how it comes ashore.  Photos and video from Harry Rabin with On the Wave Productions locally have been used extensively by engineers and the State Lands Commission.  This helps them pinpoint the problem areas and work up a plan based on the ocean's depth and currents.

The Danny C barge was targeting one well in a three day effort but now has time and funds for a second one nearby.

This after another environmentally damaging well leak was capped in 2018, near the same area.

 Back over 120 years ago, Summerland was full of oil derricks and aggressive drilling in nearshore waters.

When those companies took off, the wells were not sealed properly and some have been leaking so badly people just refused to go there.

"You know sometimes you can really smell it.  We turn around and get back in the car and leave," said Wendy Ludwick with her dog Ivy heading down to the sand.

Her friend Joan Wimberly was walking with her down the ramp from Lookout Park and said,  "We have lived here for 42 years and this beach has gotten worse and worse and worse.  We don't walk here as much as we used to"

When you come to Summerland beach you can't always see the oil on the water but if you look at the sand you can certainly see evidence of where the the oil has come up during the tidal cycle.

Scientific and engineering  efforts above and below the surface have been used to locate the wells, and to make a plan to seal the old broken pipes below the ocean floor.

 State funds are coming at $2- million dollars a year.  The full funding for seven years will be $14-million.

The  two big wells will be stopped in one repair job.

Hauser said, "the reason the project  construction is going to happen  in June and July is they are going to straddle two budget years so that's four million."

 State officials have told local leaders the community feedback at public meetings.

"They love working with us because we are so happy," said Hauser. "They get cheers and we jump up and down.  The barge comes to town,  it is like Santa has arrived in his sleigh."

For more information about funding go to: SB44

For more information about Heal the Ocean go to : HTO