The U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed responding to a significant oil spill in the Cuyahoga River's tributary, Kingsbury Run, in Cleveland. The Guard has established a Unified Command to ensure the safety of the public and wildlife, protection of the environment, and minimal disruption of economic activities while the source of the spill and pollutants are addressed. "Responders have limited the spread of the spill through the use of boom and other containment methods," the Coast Guard released in a statement, cited by WKYC.
A release from the U.S. Coast Guard, obtained by Cleveland19 News, indicated that the spill is located near Interstate 490 and Rockefeller Avenue. The Unified Command combines the efforts of the USCG, US Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio EPA, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, and the Cleveland Water Pollution Control to provide a "multi-layered approach to ensure effective containment, mitigation, and removal of all pollution from Kingsbury Run."
While the exact source of the oil spill remains undetermined, Jenn Elting, spokeswoman for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District suggested that it could be linked to legacy issues from a nearby former Sohio refinery. An oil and water separator, once operational on the property to prevent pollutants from entering Kingsbury Run, is no longer functioning, Elting told Cleveland.com. This points to a potential cause for the current environmental crisis.
As the investigation into the spill's origins continues, collaborative efforts by all involved agencies are being carried out to pinpoint the spill's exact source. The U.S. Coast Guard has yet to confirm the cause of the oil spill, but their actions in conjunction with other federal and state agencies are crucial to limiting its impact on the river’s ecosystem and adjacent communities. Efforts to contain the spill and mitigate its effects are ongoing, with all agencies fully engaged in the cleanup operation.
