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Endemic Environmental Services Uses Thermal Drone to Identify Oil Spill in Huntington Beach, CA

Huntington Beach, CA – October 4, 2021

On the morning of Oct. 4th, 2021 at 7:00am, Endemic Environmental Services’ drone operations team identified the reminiscence of the recent oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach, Ca. using a thermal camera attached to their drone, a new utility that hasn’t been done. The oil spill was caused by a leak from a pipeline from an offshore oil platform that is owned by a company in  Houston, Tx,  Amplify Energy. The flight survey area was conducted on the Northside of the Huntington Beach pier at 100 ft. over the surface of the water. “The use of thermal imaging to identify the spill location via drone provides a large area to be surveyed from an aerial perspective quickly and not invasively, allowing us to see what our naked eye cannot.” States the Endemic Environmental Services drone operations team director and FAA licensed drone pilot, Kent Nerhus. Kent was the pilot in command of the Oct. 4th thermal survey at the Huntington Beach Pier. “Endemic Environmental Services is committed to assisting the local environments in which we live and work. As local residents of Huntington Beach, Ca., we know the importance of assisting in any capacity as possible. We need to overcome this ecological catastrophe, as quickly as possible. I believe drones and the discovery of having the ability to identify oil in the ocean is an important step to getting our beautiful coastline back to normal as quickly as possible, so we can save as much wildlife as possible.” Endemic Environmental Services’ Founder and Owner, Barry Nerhus further adds “Huntington Beach is my hometown, it is an absolute tragedy to hear that oil spills anywhere. This spill in Huntington Beach hits close to home as my hometown and also as a biologist. Huntington Beach has 1,000s of acres of unique and endangered wetlands that I love and cherish. I am glad that we have a drone team that helps add this technology as a tool in environmental management. Earlier this year, Endemic Environmental Services’ drone team worked with the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach and OC Parks, conducting ecological surveys for possible avian botulism, in Also Creek and Victoria Pond in South Talbert Park. 

For more information, pictures, videos, or statements about the oil spill in Huntington Beach from Endemic Environmental Services, please contact Kent Nerhus Director of Drone Operations 

Email: Knerhus@endemicenvironmental.net

For more information on how you can donate to the clean up efforts here is a donation link: 
https://wetlands-and-wildlife-care-center.snwbll.com/giving-portal

Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center Website:
https://www.wwccoc.org/

Newland And Talbert Marsh:
http://www.hbwetlands.org/

Bolsa Chica Wetlands:
https://bolsachica.org/