38 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



clean-up work which generally follows. This has now become the 

 accepted practice. 



The harbors of the State have been generally free of oil pollution 

 with the exception of San Pedro. As long as some oil pollution occurred 

 from land operations, no appreciable efforts were expended on harbor 

 work but in the early part of the biennium, the harbor began to 

 receive concentrated attention. A few cases of careless handling of 

 oil and oil contaminated waters by certain vessels occurred and court 

 action was deemed necessary, but in general the warnings and advice 

 given by the bureau were heeded. A ship service company equipped 

 a boat with pumps, suction hose, tanks, etc., and took contracts to clean 

 up oil spilled on harbor waters. The cost of some of these jobs 

 exceeded $1,000. Certain companies handling oil in the harbor con- 

 structed booms which were ordinarily stored, but when an oil spill 

 occurred were quickly run out, surrounding the oil and consequently 

 lessening the cost of clean-up work. 



Many other adjustments occurred which decreased oil pollution 

 and the harbor waters gradually improved. Marine growth has taken 

 place in the harbor in certain places, a condition not occurring before 

 in any noticeable degree subsequent to San Pedro becoming one of 

 the largest oil harbors in the United States. 



The bureau observed with concern the opening of the Venice oil 

 field. Some of the drilling was done by individuals and companies 

 who gave no consideration to the prevention of oil pollution. As the 

 field was located just above high tide and bordering a body of water 

 with connection to the ocean, the pollution was of considerable con- 

 sequence. As this field was within an incorporated city, it was hoped 

 that local governmental agencies would see that oil pollution was pre- 

 vented, but it was finally necessary for the bureau to act. A detailed 

 inspection was made and operators were requested both personally 

 and through the public press, to prevent pollution. Several cases of 

 flagrant pollution were placed before the municipal courts. These 

 resulted in dismissals. The action taken was beneficial, however, as 

 subsequently no oil pollution has occurred from that field which would 

 warrant legal action. 



For many years the Truckee River has been under discussion by 

 sportsmen and conservationists who alleged that a paper mill located 

 on this stream polluted the river. These comments undoubtedly had 

 merit, but unfortunately the fact that the cities of Reno and Sparks 

 in the State of Nevada disposed of untreated sewage into the river 

 lower down was apparently not noted. The river is now practically 

 free of pollution as these cities have installed sewage treatment plants 

 and the paper mill has ceased operations. 



The generally accepted practice for sewage disposal is to conduct 

 it to the nearest body of water. This may not be so serious when the 

 ocean received this sewage, but when rivers and creeks are used for 

 disposal, the effect on fish and water-borne life can only be adverse. 

 The continued increased diversions of water from the rivers and streams 

 makes the problem more acute. Progress has been made in sewage 

 treatment and the installation of plants, but this movement must be 

 accelerated if we are to cope with the growth of population and have 



