EPA says no lasting impact from diesel spill
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EAST PALESTINE -- The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has completed its investigation of a diesel fuel spill that affected Bull Creek along state Route 46 two weeks ago.
On Wednesday, Anthony Chenault, Ohio EPA media coordinator for the northeast, southeast and central districts said the cleanup was completed and observed on Friday.
He said contractors removed impacted soil from the accident site and inspected Bull Creek for any impact to wildlife, and that recovery of residual fuel was completed in the stream using vacuum trucks.
"No impact to wildlife was observed during the contractor's survey of the impact section of Bull Creek," he said.
The soil study and removal was performed by Environmental Management Specialists Inc.
Chenault also said the EPA issued a notice of violation to Landmark Petroleum Services of Strongsville for the Dec. 18 spill.
The diesel fuel came from a Landmark tractor-trailer that reportedly lost its brakes coming down the hill of state Route 588 where it meets state Route 46 between East Palestine and New Waterford.
The semi was hauling a significant amount of diesel fuel at the time, of which some entered the stream as a result of damage caused to the truck, which was badly mangled in the accident.
The driver, Randall Mihalek Jr., 37, of Strongsville, was not seriously hurt. He was cited by the highway patrol for failure to control.
According to the Ohio EPA violation notice sent to the company, an estimated 300 gallons of fuel were released from the crash, with an undetermined amount entering Bull Creek. Bull Creek feeds into the Ohio River.
In addition to Environmental Management Specialists, the county's hazmat team also responded to the scene that day to assist in cleanup efforts.
Fire departments called to the scene were New Waterford, East Palestine, and Negley, and they were assisted by firefighters from Columbiana, East Liverpool, Springfield Township and Newell, W.Va.
The Darlington, Pa. fire department was also on stand-by that day.
kwhite@mojonews.com