For immediate release: August 12, 2011 1. Beach closed at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park 2. Underground gasoline tank leak in Burlington discovered by DNR 3. Plugged sewer line results in sewage release at Fairfield BEACH CLOSED AT LACEY KEOSAUQUA STATE PARK KEOSAUQUA – A plugged sewer line serving the cabins at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park caused an overflow of sewage into the lake on Friday prompting the Iowa DNR to close the beach through the weekend until a repair can be made. The beach will be posted with signs announcing the closure. Although the amount of sewage reaching the lake was believed to be small because the sewer line only served the six small cabins, the DNR decided to close the beach as a precaution. A contractor will be working to unplug the line. The plugged line was discovered by a DNR state parks manager on Friday. Media contact: Kevin Baskins at 515-249-2814. ### UNDERGROUND GASOLINE TANK LEAK IN BURLINGTON DISCOVERED BY DNR MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Collins, 515-281-8879, [log in to unmask] or DES MOINES – A small leak from an underground gasoline storage tank in Burlington over several months has resulted in a release of an estimated 5,000 gallons from Mac’s Convenience Stores, LLC (Circle K) at 1012 Maple Street in Burlington. Mac’s reported the leak to the DNR July 20, although previous monthly leak detection records had indicated a suspected release beginning in January. The environmental contractor, American Environmental, constructed an interceptor trench with absorbent booms to stop the flow of gasoline that was found 500 feet from the site. The DNR directed Mac’s to immediately remove the remaining gasoline in the leaking tank as soon as the leak was reported. Technicians from Tank Tech, Inc. out of Blodgett, Missouri, are expected to enter the 10,000 gallon tank August 12 to find the leak and determine whether the tank can be repaired or relined. American Environmental will install wells to identify the extent of the contamination and continue recovery of the leaked gasoline. The DNR is assessing the impact of the leak on the environment and public health and safety. The leaky tank is one of five tanks at Mac’s. The station continues to operate. Mac’s will be referred to the DNR legal department for not reporting a suspected release in a timely manner. # # # PLUGGED LINE RESULTS IN SEWAGE RELEASE AT FAIRFIELD FAIRFIELD – A plugged sewer line in Fairfield resulted in an estimated 285,000 gallons of untreated sewage being released into Crow Creek, a tributary of Cedar Creek, during the last three days. The blockage was discovered Thursday when a citizen complained about an odor to the wastewater treatment plant operator. Further investigation determined that the sewer line was plugged causing untreated sewage to overflow from a manhole cover. The line was cleared Thursday soon after the plug was discovered. The leak was reported to the DNR on Friday and the Fairfield wastewater treatment plant will receive a notice of violation for not reporting the incident within 12 hours as required. The DNR checked Crow Creek and a portion of Cedar Creek and no dead or stressed fish were observed. Media contact: Kevin Baskins at 515-249-2814. -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/