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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 1995
95-128
CONTACT:
Dick Storey, Ecology (206) 649-7116
Allen Mitchell, Snohomish County (206) 388-3109
Bob Campbell, Snohomish County (206) 388-3113
Curt Hart, Ecology (360) 407-6973
DIESEL FUEL SPILLS INTO MT. PILCHUK WETLAND
An estimated 500-800 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into a pristine alpine wetland on Mt. Pilchuck after a generator fuel return line sprang a leak at a radio communications station operated by Snohomish County.
The station, one of several operated and maintained by the county, is located near the mountain summit on Mt. Pilchuck road approximately eight miles east of Granite Falls.
Crews from the Snohomish County Public Works Department discovered the spill on Aug. 16 after the communications generator stopped working. Upon finding the spill, crews put absorbent materials on the floor of the generator station and placed containment boom across a small creek near the wetland.
It is unknown exactly how long the intake line had been leaking. Ecology was notified by the county of the incident and responded Aug. 17. Ecology responders assisted county crews with containment and cleanup operations. A vacuum truck and absorbent pads were used to remove pockets of diesel from standing water in the wetland. It is believed that some portion of the diesel fuel traveled downslope and may have affected other surface waters.
As a result of the spill, Ecology will conduct natural resource damage assessment activities and may take further actions.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
