RILEY COUNTY (KSNT) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided updates on Wednesday for a diesel leak from a submerged fuel tank at the Tuttle Creek Reservoir.
According to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials, the tank was used to fuel dredging equipment before it was blown into the water. Officials say the impact appears to be limited to surface water in the immediate area surrounding the tank. As of now, crews have not observed any new diesel sheen on the water and dive teams are working to move it closer to shore so it can be removed by crane.
Caleb Snider, an operations manager at for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said the agency is “committed to a safe and aggressive response,” working alongside partners including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Once the tank is removed, crews expect to have a clearer timeline for cleanup and a better estimate of how much diesel leaked from the 1,800-gallon tank. Officials currently anticipate minimal environmental impacts.
Response crews from the USACE were on scene on March 17, deploying containment measures, including booms and absorbent pads, to limit the spread of fuel. The EPA has since stepped in to provide additional oversight and ensure a thorough cleanup.
Previous Reporting
On March 18, the EPA’s Region 7 staff along with personnel with the KDHE began working with the USACE to help with efforts in removing a submerged fuel tank that had fallen into the Tuttle Creek Reservoir on March 16 after it was reported to have experienced issues. Sediment removal contractor, Michels, also got involved in the efforts providing its subcontracted hazmat team to remove the fuel cell.
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