| Ninth District External Affairs U.S. Coast Guard |
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| News Release |
Date: Feb. 8, 2009 Contact: Petty Officer Will Mitchell |
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U.S. Coast Guard and EPA work together to secure 65,000 gallon oil spill CHICAGO - The Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are working together to contain a 65,000 gallon oil spill in Rockdale, Illinois, today. The oil was released from a Caterpillar Inc. holding tank in Rockdale. The majority of oil is on land but approximately 4,500-6,000 gallons went into the Des Plaines River contaminating a three mile area. The Coast Guard is working with the Oil Spill Response Organization, as well as multiple local facilities to place containment boom around the the oil. There are two vacuum trucks on-scene as well. The River has been shut down between mile marker 278 and 289. The Coast Guard will be monitoring VHF Ch. 16 to assist vessels in the area. The EPA is the leading agency. For question please contact Jenny Marsett, spokeswoman for the EPA, at (312) 919-0126. For question pertaining to the affected river please contact Petty Officer William Mitchell, Ninth District Coast Guard spokesman, at (216) 310-2608. ### Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790. |
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