Thieves tapping an oil pipeline are being blamed for a spill of 4,000 barrels of crude oil into the San Juan River near Monterrey in the Mexican state of Nuevo León on 16 August 2014. Initial reports on the impacts on wildlife are scarce, however, the area is known for its biodiversity and serves as a stopover for migratory waterbirds.
Pemex, the national oil company, claimed to have contained the leak as of the last week of August and said the cleanup would be complete by early September. Conagua (Mexico’s National Water Commission) stated that cleanup after the oil is removed would take at least 3 months.
The oil, which has traveled at least five miles, is expected to continue to advance as heavy rains are forecast. If the oil reaches the El Cuchillo dam drinking water supplies for the city of Monterrey would also be affected. Water from El Cuchillo is also used for agricultural irrigation.
The second spill, also caused by illegal tapping of an oil pipeline, leaked oil into a river in the state of Veracruz on the Gulf Coast on 27 August. That spill was initially contained, but heavy rains from tropical storms resulted in overflow from the containment ponds. Reports mention dozens of birds, fish and turtles being killed and concerns remain that the oil will make its way into Laguna Maria Lizamaba.
As of 10 September, there have been no reports of oiled wildlife response or impact assessment being undertaken in either case.
The maps accompanying this article show the locations of Neuvo León (L) and Veracruz (R) states, respectively.