US Coast Guard, partner agencies complete oil spill cleanup in Steamboat Creek, Virginia

The US Coast Guard and partner agencies have concluded the cleanup and assessments for an oil spill in Steamboat Creek in Norfolk, Virginia.

Cleanup efforts started after an on-shore waste oil tank overflowed on May 24 and were completed earlier this month.

Coast Guard Sector Virginia pollution responders, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and the Norfolk Fire Marshal’s Office worked in conjunction with the responsible party and other federal, state, and local agencies to coordinate cleanup operations and assess impacts.

Pollution teams removed approximately 250 bags of oiled debris and approximately 200 gallons (757 litres) of oil from the water.

Around 600 feet (182 metres) of hard boom was removed from the water. In total, approximately 10,000 feet (3,048 metres) of sorbent material was deployed and recovered during the 14-day cleanup effort.

The responsible party will continue to monitor the site. To date, there have been no observed impacts to wildlife.

The coast guard said the incident remains under investigation.

Approximately 300 feet (91 metres) of shoreline has been discovered to be impacted from the spill.

See more stories from this month’s Pollution Control Week here.