Popular Monterey beach still closed

MONTEREY, Calif – McAbee Beach in Monterey is still closed more than two weeks after an oil leak and the beach will remain closed until further notice, according to the Monterey County Department of Public Health.

The origin of the leak is still unknown and the Department of Public Health said Friday that they won’t know until the site is assessed on Monday.

However, Anne McGrath with the city of Monterey said Thursday that they believe the oil is coming from property owned by the Cannery Row Company.

The county is warning people to stay back until further notice.

“We are keeping people away and keeping them away from the water to keep them away from the leak” said Karen Smith, a spokesperson for the Monterey County of Public Health. “We have a national hazmat plan and a local hazmat plan, so we are moving ahead with those plans,” added Smith.

Smith also said the leak is very small and that no animals were hurt from the oil leak.

The oil leak was first reported on February 11th after a beach-goer noticed an oily substance coming up from the sand.

The substance was later determined to be kerosene, according the County of Monterey.

The City of Monterey, the County of Monterey, the Coast Guard, NOAA and the Cannery Row Company are all working together to stop the leak.