For immediate release: September 14, 2012

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OIL SPILL ON NORTH RACCOON RIVER NEAR JEFFERSON BEING INVESTIGATED BY DNR

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Manz at 712-250-0219

 

JEFFERSON – An oil spill originating from a greenhouse facility in Jefferson that reached the North Raccoon River is under investigation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

 

The spill was reported to the DNR shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday by local authorities. By Thursday evening, the DNR, with assistance from the police and fire departments in Jefferson as well as the Greene County Sheriff’s Department had tracked the spill approximately eight miles downstream.

 

It was determined that the spill originated from an above ground tank storing used oil at Krieger’s Greenhouse in Jefferson. A valve on the tank malfunctioned allowing used oil to run into a ravine where it eventually reached the Raccoon River. The amount of oil that was released has not yet been determined Thursday night.

 

Hydro-Klean, Inc. of Des Moines, was in the process of installing booms downstream from the spill to prevent contamination further downstream Thursday evening. No dead or dying fish were found while tracing the oil downstream.

 

The incident remains under investigation by the DNR.

 

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	Kevin Baskins Communications Bureau Chief Iowa Department of Natural Resources 515 281 8395 |  [log in to unmask]
	www.iowadnr.gov