Iowa DNR News
Environmental Services Division

For immediate release	June 18, 2007

1.	Dead hogs found in Raccoon River
2.	Hydraulic oil spill in Iowa City reaches Iowa River

DEAD HOGS FOUND IN RACCOON RIVER

MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Roos at (712) 260-9269 or Kenneth Hessenius at (712) 
262-4177

SAC CITY - An investigation is underway into the origins of decomposed hogs 
found along the Raccoon River Monday morning.

Tom Roos, DNR environmental specialist, indicated initial reports stated at 
least 50 dead hogs were found three-fourths of a mile away from Haage Park 
in Sac City. Upon five DNR officials investigating the area, 31 hogs were 
found.

“Overnight the river rose around a foot, so some may have sunk or washed 
away,” Roos said. Roos estimated the hogs were dumped late last week due to 
the advanced state of decomposition.

The public is asked to avoid the affected area in case of potential health 
risks. The DNR is currently interviewing local hog producers around the area 
for further information. Anyone with information is urged to contact the DNR 
Spencer Field Office at (712) 262-4177.

Writer: Holly Williams

# # #

HYDRAULIC OIL SPILL IN IOWA CITY REACHES IOWA RIVER

MEDIA CONTACT: Josh Sobaski at (319)653-2135, Dennis Ostwinkle at (319) 
653-2135 or Kevin Baskins at (515) 281-8395.

IOWA CITY – A small oil spill reached the Iowa River Saturday morning, 
resulting in a visible sheen near Iowa City.

Between 10:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday, approximately four to five gallons of 
hydraulic oil spilled, with a portion of that reaching the river. Peterson 
Contractors, Inc. was performing construction duties on the Iowa River when 
the spill occurred as a result of an equipment malfunction.

The oil was visible 100 yards upstream of the University of Iowa Power 
Plant.

“It doesn’t take a lot of petroleum oil to float,” Josh Sobaski, DNR 
Environmental Specialist, said. “It is visible in small doses, so it 
actually looks worse than it is.”

Peterson Contractors, Inc. will use approximately 160 feet of boom to clean 
and contain the oil. The boom floats on water and is covered in absorbent 
pads to pick up the pollutant.

An employee of Peterson Contractors Inc. reported the spill Monday 
afternoon. In the event of a hazardous material spill, the responsible party 
is required to report the incident within six hours of its discovery. This 
provides DNR field offices time to prevent further damage to the affected 
area. A notice of violation for not reporting the spill within the required 
time restraints was issued to Peterson Contractors, Inc.

Writer: Holly Williams
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