PORTLAND – The Coast Guard, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and the Maine Department of Marine Resources continued waterside response operations after a delivery truck overturned on the Allen Avenue Extension Bridge in Falmouth, Maine, spilling approximately 1100 gallons of kerosene into the Presumpscot River Thursday.
Marine environmental clean-up efforts and assessments were conducted today by several agencies. Clean Harbor and Environmental Services acting on behalf of the truck owner, Dead River Inc., deployed a containment boom and absorbent pads downstream from the incident to contain and prevent the kerosene from spreading. Joint response from Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Coast Guard teams from Sector Northern New England conducted shoreline assessments along the affected areas.
Surveys of potential pollution areas were provided by a Coast Guard Falcon jet from Air Station Cape Cod, which conducted two over-flights of the river and surrounding waters of Casco Bay. A 25-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station South Portland transported two pollution investigators to Mackworth Island to assess the area, but did not find signs of pollution. Additionally, a biologist from the Maine Department of Marine Resources conducted assessments of areas of environmental concern regarding wildlife and marine resources.
“We are always concerned about pollution entering the sensitive areas of the Presumpscot River and Casco Bay,” said Capt. Jim Rendon, Commander of Sector Northern New England. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the responders who have worked tirelessly over the last two days to restore the environment.”
There is potential that additional kerosene will be sighted in the region over the next few days due to tidal action, forecast rains, and other weather conditions. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Coast Guard will continue to monitor and ensure that pollution in the marine environment is dealt with properly.
