Profits are up, Prince William Sound still feeling the effects of

[HysteryDiagnosis]

the Exxon Valdez....

www.answers.com


Environmental Impact

Both the long and short-term effects of the oil spill have been studied comprehensively. Thousands of animals died immediately; the best estimates include 250,000 sea birds, 2,800 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, up to 22 orcas, and billions of salmon and herring eggs. Despite a thorough cleanup, and little visual evidence apparent even only one year later, the effects of the spill continue to be felt today. In the long term, reductions in population have been seen in various ocean animals, including stunted growth in pink salmon populations. Sea otters and ducks also showed higher death rates in following years, partly because they ingested contaminated creatures. The animals also were exposed to oil when they dug up their prey in dirty soil. Researchers said some shoreline habitats, such as contaminated mussel beds, could take up to 30 years to recover. While it will take years for a solid long term study, some interim effects have already been noted;

Social Impact

In additional to the environmental effects of the spill, the disruption to the lives of the people affected is noteworthy. Native American groups in the area were impacted, and the fishing industry also experienced serious changes as a result. For example, commercial fishing was closed for the remainder of 1989, so many fishermen went elsewhere to work. Unfortunately for the local industry, many seafood markets also turned elsewhere to purchase product, and some never returned. In the years following the spill, a very high percentage of the fishermen and associated companies declared bankruptcy. The promise of a punitive damages award from Exxon was not realized in the difficult years that followed the spill, and caused much frustration. For example, the mayor of Cordova, a nearby fishing community, committed suicide, and requested that his ashes be scattered on Bligh Reef, where the Exxon Valdez grounded. <2>

[bmbmd]

1. Not one dime

have I spent with Exxon since the Valdez disaster.

[TahitiNut]

2. Ditto. And I never will.

:grr:

[Raster]

3. And of course the evil that is exxon/mobile has renigged on paying

damages. Such fine global citizens. The antiChrist is holding court in the Oval Office, and his patron is the Texas Petroleum Oil Mafia (exxon).