All parties (The City of Trenton, EGLE, EPA and NABA Management) are fully engaged and working toward full resolution of the Diesel spill cleanup.
Thus far it is estimated that less than 5 gallons was released into the river. The release point and potential release point to the river have booms in place, have been cleaned and are being closely monitored.
It is believed that the Diesel fuel involved originated from a 15,000-gallon underground storage tank on the property. The tank was immediately pumped and had the contents removed. During this initial phase of cleanup, 95,797 gallons of diesel/water were recovered from the tank and storm water system and 34.21 tons of diesel-saturated soil/vegetation removed.
All evidence suggests that the tank leaked an unknown quantity of diesel fuel into the surrounding soil and created an underground “plume” which has migrated into the area storm pipes, infiltrating through pipe seams.
In the next few days and weeks boring samples will be taken in the area to try to determine the extent of the plume of contaminated soil. This project is being awarded to the first available contractor that is qualified to do this work. The tank in question will also be removed, which was planned as part of the hospital demolition. The surrounding soil will be excavated to remove whatever is necessary to make certain no further material reaches the river and the site is restored to a safe condition.
The EPA and EGLE response personnel have been invaluable throughout this process and continue to oversee and monitor the site closely. All work, monitoring activity and plans at the site have been reviewed by representatives of both agencies. NABA management has worked with all parties involved and has funded and coordinated all activity at the site to date.
The protection of our waterfront and natural resources remains of utmost importance to the City of Trenton and its residents, and we will continue to work with officials at every level to ensure this situation is completely cleaned up and remediated and no further issues may arise.
Original source can be found here.