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The site is a private residential property located on the banks of Lake Champlain. The release occurred when a leg on a manifold oil tank collapsed, causing it to release approximately 500 gallons of #2 heating oil. A sump pump located in the basement of the home was running at the time of the spill which resulted in the oil being transferred from the home to the waterway. The oil reached the waterway via an old abandoned pipe line that was used in earlier years to draw water from the lake.
OSC's Young, Pasquerella and Sherrin were in the vicinity of the release and were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, OSC Young met with the VT DEC to determine the status of the cleanup and to gather more information regarding the release.
The VT DEC is overseeing cleanup of the oil. Approximately 375 gallons of free phase oil and several pounds of oily boom was recovered during the cleanup effort. It is unknown if additional oil released into subsurface soil may eventually be released onto Lake Champlain. Since the lake was still frozen, contractors hired by the RP (the homeowner) had to cut access points into the ice to recover the oil. Adverse impacts to wildlife or vegetation was not evident by either the OSC's or VT DEC. The homeowners insurance is anticipated to cover the costs of the cleanup.
Following the cleanup, boom will be deployed along the shoreline and monitored by VT DEC for the next several days to capture any residual oil, if any.
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