Cleanup begins at McAbee Beach

Cleanup has begun at McAbee Beach in Monterey after an oily substance was found in the sand in February. Crews were removing contaminated sediment Tuesday from the area near Cannery Row where they discovered the petroleum substance, according to the Monterey County Health Department.

The substance is leaking from the foundation of an old building on the beach, but the source of the substance is still unknown.

The leak was discovered last month by a local artist named Ron O’Brien.

“I am just so glad they finally took care of it,” said O’Brien.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, O’Brien notified the authorities right away but officials from Monterey County couldn’t get onto the beach to start the clean up process until Tuesday because of recent storms, wind and rough surf.

“Today is the first day we’ve actually been able to get past tide and weather to actually start digging,” said Karen Smith a public information officer for the Monterey County Health Department.

The U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Coastal Commission, Monterey County Health Department, the City of Monterey and Cannery Row Company were all at the beach on Tuesday and they will be there throughout the week for the removal process.