On the scene to assess damage to Wabash River
LAFAYETTE, IN — April 19, 2016 — Wabash Riverkeeper, a Waterkeeper organization, arrived on the scene in Mount Carmel, Illinois today responding to a diesel spill in the Wabash River. The spill, resulting from a leaking pipeline owned by Marathon Pipe Line, was first reported on Sunday April 17th. Deploying Waterkeeper Alliance’s Rapid Response Protocol, the Wabash Riverkeeper spoke with a representative of Marathon at the incident command center for the spill, which is being staged in Grayville, Illinois.
“We are concerned that the volume, reported by Marathon at 48,300 gallons, has been underreported, especially considering the flood conditions on the river. At the time the spill was first reported, the Wabash River was above 19-feet, which is flood stage for the river, and it only just dipped below flood stage when containment efforts began. Because of the high water, multiple attempts to place an oil boom to contain the plume failed and containment efforts were abandoned. Authorities are now monitoring the movement of the plume,” said Rae Schnapp, Wabash Riverkeeper. “Considering the volume of the spill, Marathon’s assertion that there are no impacts to the water or air quality from the spill seem implausible. I am especially concerned about potential contamination to downstream fisheries. Wabash Riverkeeper is investigating and will be sharing information as it becomes available in order to protect our community and drinking water supplies. ”
Wabash Riverkeeper is encouraging interested members of the public to come to the Banks of the Wabash annual meeting tomorrow morning to hear an update on the diesel spill. It is being held on Wednesday, April 20, from 10:00 am to 12:00 at the Prophetstown State Park Visitors Center.
The Waterkeeper Alliance Rapid Response Team initiative is an innovative solution that provides trusted and independent emergency response to disasters on our waterways. In a climate of lax federal regulation and extensive budget cuts to state environmental protection agencies, the need for Waterkeepers to speak truth about the devastating impacts of water emergencies on communities has never been greater. Wabash Riverkeeper will remain involved as long as necessary in order assure that proper clean-up, mitigation and enforcement is completed.