On February 26, 2009 evening, during a heavy rainstorm, the Fox Lake Fire Department responded to complaints of fuel odor in a residential area of Squaw Creek along Rollins Road, Ingleside Illinois and discovered a discharge of diesel fuel oil in Squaw Creek which is a tributary to Fox Lake. The Fox Lake Fire Department immediately deployed absorbent booms on Squaw Creek to contain the oil discharge.
Illinois EPA (IEPA) responded to the scene and estimated that about 150 gallons of diesel fuel oil was discharged into the Creek. On February 27, 2009 morning (IEPA) requested assistance from he U.S. EPA to recover the oil on March 2.
OSC Mendoza mobilized the ERRS contractor to contain and recover the oil.
On 3/02/06 a meeting/inspection was conducted onsite with USEPA, IEPA, the Fox Lake FD, and Lake County EMA. The oil spill was found to have migrated to a small marina on Squaw Creek. The marina was over 50% frozen and it was agreed (by all parties) that EPA contractors would be deployed on 3/6/09 when the weather was warmer.
Fox Lake Fire Department and Lake County EMA put out flyers on 3/2/09 in the affected area in an attempt to get information from the public on the responsible party.
USEPA and ERRS contractors arrived on site on 3/6/09. Oil recovery operations were aided by Fox Waterway Agency which supplied a pontoon boat. The small marina was still partially frozen so it was decided to recover and redeploy absorbent booms to contain the oil within the area of the small marina and wait one week for warmer weather. USEPA, IEPA, FD, and EMA surveyed the affected neighborhood to look for the source of the spill with no success.
OSC inspected the site on 3/16/09 and confirmed all the ice had melted. EPA and its contractors returned to the site on 3/18/09 and completed oil recovery operations, recovering all the remaining booms (soaked with oil). All absorbent booms and equipment to be disposed were packed into Twelve 55 gallon drums. The drums are currently being stored at the Fox Lake Public Works Facility.
Transportation and Disposal of twelve 55-gallon Drums to an EPA approved disposal facility is planned for end of March 2009.
To date, no responses have been received to identify the source or responsible party for this oil spill.
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