Levine (Marvin) 1969 Oil Spill Papers, 1969-1989

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Un-Oil Certificate

Summary

Title:
Levine (Marvin) 1969 Oil Spill Papers
Dates:
1969-1989
Creators:
Levine, Marvin, 1930-2013
Abstract:
The Marvin Levine 1969 Oil Spill Papers are a selection of materials covering the 5-year aftermath of the 1969 Santa Barbara Channel oil spill from the point of view of the Santa Barbara County government as it worked to hold Union Oil Company responsibile for clean-up of an environmental catasophe.
Extent:
.4 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Marvin Levine 1969 Oil Spill Papers, AR-2023-005, Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Santa Barbara, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Marvin Levine 1969 Oil Spill Papers cover the 5-year period from the 1969 Santa Barbara Channel oil spill to 1974 when a settlement was reached between Santa Barbara County and Union Oil. The collection contains correspondence, court documents, congressional testimony, press releases, technical data, and news clips related to County Counsel Marvin Levine's involvement in successfully holding Union Oil responsible for clean-up of the disaster.

Biographical / historical:

Marvin Levine (1930-2013) served as Chief Deputy County Counsel for Santa Barbara County, California. He represented the County in the lawsuit against Union Oil Company following the environmental disaster of the Santa Barbara Channel Oil Blowout of 1969.

Marvin "Marv" Levine was born and raised in The Bronx, New York. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School, Long Island University and Brooklyn Law School. Law school was interrupted by military service during the Korean Conflict. He served in the Army as a paratrooper in the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Throughout his life, he was proud of having been an Airborne trooper and had many jumps to his credit.

Following his admission to the bar, he had a small practice in Manhattan, New York City, New York. In 1968, Levine was hired as Deputy County Counsel by Santa Barbara County, California. Throughout his career, he was Chief Deputy County Counsel, Assistant County Counsel and Acting County Counsel before his retirement in 1990.

One of Levine's proudest career achievements was representing Santa Barbara County in the lawsuit against Union Oil Company, et. al. following the catastrophic Santa Barbara Channel Oil Blowout of 1969. The lawsuit achieved a substantial settlement for Santa Barbara County and, as a side effect, encouraged the environmental movement.

Besides being an attorney, Marv pursued his passion for drawing and painting. He was also a music lover and collector and restorer of string instruments. For many years he played recorder music in a quartet of other accomplished musicians in Santa Barbara.

Acquisition information:
Gifted by Margaret E. Levine in May 2023.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Chris S. Ervin CA in May 2023

Arrangement:

The Marvin Levine 1969 Oil Spill Papers are arranged in two (2) series:

1) County Counsel documents, 1969-1979

2) News stories, 1969-1989

About this collection guide

Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-05-25 21:11:29 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Property rights reside with the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head Archivist of the Gledhill Library.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Marvin Levine 1969 Oil Spill Papers, AR-2023-005, Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Santa Barbara, California.

Location of this collection:
136 E. De La Guerra
Santa Barbara, CA 93101, US
Contact:
(805) 966-1605 x105
archivist@sbhistorical.org
Website