CHICAGO – The U.S. Coast Guard continues to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to contain a 65,000 gallon oil spill in Rockdale, Ill., today.
The oil was released, Sunday, from a Caterpillar, Inc., holding tank and approximately 4,500-6,000 gallons spilled into the Des Plaines River potentially contaminating a 3-mile area.
EPA, the lead agency, is managing the clean up response on the facility where the majority of the oil spilled. The Coast Guard is monitoring the clean up of the oil that spilled into the river. Approximately 1,200 feet of boom has been deployed, on the river near the Caterpillar facility, to contain the oil that went into the river.
The Coast Guard has closed the Des Plaines River to vessel traffic and is enforcing a safety zone between mile marker 278 and 286. The closure will continue until further notice.
Responding agencies state there is no observed or reported impact on area fish or wildlife.
