Update (April 18, 10 a.m.): A business owner called to explain that his company was responsible for the spill. The business owner said a driver noticed his gas tank was ruptured while driving near 18th Avenue and Bailey Hill Road and stopped to clean up the spilled diesel fuel. They followed their company's procedures and thought they had cleaned up all of the fuel, however some apparently got into the stormwater system and eventually the Amazon Creek. The business owner is fully cooperating with the City.
Update (April 17, 3:30 p.m.): Public Works has identified the source of the contamination. Fuel entered the stormwater system at the intersection of 18th Avenue and Bailey Hill Road. It’s unclear if the fuel was put there intentionally, but someone tried to clean it up. Crews worked to clean the catch basin and will continue to monitor the Amazon Creek. It’s unclear at this time what kind of fuel was spilled or how much.
Eugene Public Works and local hazmat crews are monitoring an apparent fuel-related spill that created a sheen on the Amazon Creek. The spill was first reported on Monday afternoon. The City immediately contacted a local hazmat crew as well as Eugene Springfield Fire to try and contain the spill.
The fuel, which is still unidentified, is entering the creek through the stormwater system near Bailey Hill Road. City staff are still working to determine the source of the spill as it remains unclear where or how much fuel has spilled.
Right now there are currently eight oil booms covering downstream of the where the fuel is entering the creek. The booms are collecting the petroleum sheen and will be monitored over the coming days, and changed when necessary.
Public Works is working with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality as it continues to monitor the situation.