The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustees Council, made up of federal and state officials to oversee restoration efforts, concluded recently that the Sound "is nearly as toxic as it was the first few weeks of the spill."
The Council continues, "At this rate the remaining oil will take decades and possibly centuries to disappear entirely." Additiionally, they "have documented lingering oil on Kenai Peninsula and Katmai coast, over 450 miles away."
As for wildlife, nine species have "recovered," seven "are recovering," and two have" not recovered." The status of four species is "unkown."
Clearly, the spill was more devastating than anyone anticipated. Hopefully, oil companies and government regulators will take note of that fact on this anniversary.
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