Neches River Reopened Following Oil Spill

The U.S. Coast Guard has lifted its safety zone on the Neches River Tuesday as oil spill cleanup activities near their conclusion.

The response began after a pipeline at the Jefferson Energy Terminal released an estimated 880 gallons of Eagle Ford crude oil into the river Saturday afternoon, leading to the river’s closure from the Kansas City Southern Railroad Bridge to the north end of the Standolind Anchorage, near light151.

With the safety zone lifted, all vessel traffic may now transit without restriction, but the Coast Guard has requested that mariners observe a minimal wake zone through the affected area.

The Coast Guard, Texas General Land Office, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Jefferson Energy, and multiple contract oil spill cleanup personnel are working together to clean up the last remaining oil pockets along the river bank.