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 - 30 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/