Eleven years later one can kick over rocks on the shore of Prince William Sound and find Exxon crude oil. Much of the clean-up was superficial. Exxon's negligence is almost matched by its shameless use of dilatory legal tactics. When the Supreme Court decision recently was announced, many observers of corporate misdeeds were surprised that the fine was still unpaid. On the 10th anniversary of the spill, Exxon mounted a campaign with some supportive scientists to convince the world that all damage had been contained, and the Sound had returned to its pristine state.
Mendacity often abounds when big oil companies talk about their oil spills.
More than 200,000 birds and 2,000 sea otters died after the spill. Many scientists, including Dr. Ricki Ott, believe the damage to bird species, fish, and sea mammals is permanent. Moreover, the chairman of the federal-state oil spill commission, Walt Parker, decried the failure of oil companies and the state and federal government to implement recommendations of the spill commission designed to prevent new disasters. Exxon engaged in a legal war of attrition, while thousands of Alaskans and others suffered. What is truly frivolous is Exxon's legal foot-dragging in this case.