On June 15, 2018, at approximately 3:30 PM local time there was an unknown quantity of diesel fuel spilled on South Airport Road between Garfield Road and Park Drive in Traverse City, Michigan. Fuel was observed washing off the roadway into a nearby storm sewer by Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department.
Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department and Grand Traverse County Emergency Management provided initial response and containment and contacted EPA for assistance because of concern about discharge of fuel from storm sewers to Grand Traverse Bay (Lake Michigan) Sand placed by the Grand Traverse Road Commision was used to soak up the fuel from the roadway surface.
EPA mobilized START contractors to help assess impacts to nearby storm drains and businesses, and assist Metro Fire in placing absorbent boom near affected storm sewer outfall near the confluence with the Boardman River which is tributary to the Bay.
