Cleveland Coast Guard Continue Investigation, Cleanup Operation

 

Crews are continuing their response and investigation Saturday for an unknown substance that was released Friday into Lake Erie at the Forest City Yacht Club in Cleveland.

The spilled product coming from an outflow pipe near the marina appears to have ceased.

Late Friday evening, Clean Harbors contractors placed boom at the yacht club basin entrance to keep the substance from spreading further into the lake. The boom held through the night and plans are in place to deploy additional boom further out as a secondary barrier, due to a forecast change in wind direction Saturday.

Samples of the released product have been sent to the Coast Guard Marine Safety Lab for analysis. Clean Harbors contractors are using a vacuum truck and trailer on scene for clean up.

An incident command post and a unified command, consisting of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, City of Cleveland Public Utilities, and Cleveland Public Power, was established Saturday morning.

Marine Safety Unit Cleveland pollution responders are surveying nearby marinas to ensure they have not been effected, and Coast Guard Air Station Detroit conducted an overflight of the scene Saturday morning.
The investigation and clean-up operations are ongoing, and more information will be released as the situation develops and it becomes available.