The Nation : Oil Spill May Peril Refuge

A 500,000-gallon oil spill spread 20 to 25 miles along marsh and creek wildlife sanctuaries in the Savannah River, posing what conservationists said could be a long-term environmental hazard in Georgia. Savannah Mayor John Rousakis said that the 26,000-acre Savannah National Wildlife Refuge could be the hardest hit. Oil from the Liberian tanker Amazon Venture began spewing into the river Dec. 4 when valves malfunctioned. However, the spill was not discovered until three days later. Birds with oil-soaked feathers, unable to fly, have been found. Part of the oil is expected to evaporate, some will remain in the marshes and streams and some will sink to the bottom of the harbor, said Hans Neuhauser, coastal director for the Georgia Conservancy.