UPDATE 5/15
On May 12, 2025, a facility along the Chicago Sanitary and
Ship Canal discovered a thick, tar-like substance in the canal near Bedford
Park, Illinois. Later that day, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency arrived
on-scene to assess and identify the reported product. Through ongoing shoreline
assessments, EPA has observed asphalt material floating along the shoreline and
in patches throughout the canal. Drinking water is not threatened as no
drinking water intakes are in the area.
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a notice to mariners
advising vessels to use caution in the area. A containment boom (a temporary
floating barrier) will span the width of the canal near Mile Marker 315.
Vessels should contact (219)
713-3460 30 minutes prior to transiting
the area to allow the boom to be moved.
EPA’s assessment traced the source of the product to the Petroleum
Fuel and Terminal (PF&T) asphalt terminal facility in Forest View,
Illinois, upstream of the initial reported location.
EPA contacted PF&T and directed them to initiate cleanup
actions. These actions include the deployment of approximately 2,200 feet of
containment boom and removing asphalt material from impacted areas.
EPA is coordinating with the Coast Guard, U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department
of Natural Resources, the Village of Forest View, and the Metropolitan Water
Reclamation District.
Updates:
- Drinking water is not impacted.
- The canal remains open to ships but with warnings.
- Under EPA oversight, PF&T has installed containment boom around the spill location, along the shoreline, and downriver to prevent any additional product from impacting the waterway.
- Over the next few weeks, the responsible party will continue to remove all contained and discovered asphalt from the canal.
- If you observe
sheening or any tar-like substances along the canal, please contact the EPA Region
5 Spill Line at 312-353-2318.
