nothin “Substantial Threat” To Mill River Declared | New Haven Independent

Substantial Threat” To Mill River Declared

That’s the term the Coast Guard is using to explain the presence of a long yellow boom that has been deployed about mid-point in the Mill River between the Chapel Street and Grand Avenue bridges in front of English Station.

The laying out of the boom began last Wednesday, according to Coast Guard officials, after they received a report from state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) of a sheen on the waters.

The initial DEEP report was called into the Coast Guard on Sept. 15.

There has been a sheen, so the boom is precautionary,” reported Chief Warrant Officer Russ Tippets, a Coast Guard spokesman.

He said thus far 3100 feet of boom have been deployed. That’s there for protection. The concern is oil may leak into the storm drains and it’ll get into the river.”

The extent and intensity of the contamination [on the ground] is still under investigation and not fully known,” Tippets reported in a press release.

The clean-up of English Station has been stalled for years due to long legal bickering about ownership and responsibility. Click here, here here, and here for previous stories about the legal tangle delaying fixing what has become a contaminated riverine eyesore smack dab at the entryway to Fair Haven.

The plant was built by United Illuminating. Current owners are Asnat Realty and Evergreen Power.

The initial investigation did identify spilled oil near the storm drain and oil staining the ground near the drain along the northern edge of the power plant building,” Tippets wrote.

On Monday afternoon, several trucks from environmental contractors were parked near the entrance to English Station, 510 Grand Ave. A boat carrying consultants and Coast Guard crew was slowly patrolling the dark green waters around the boomed area.

Taking some samples,” one of the crew shouted back above the traffic on Grand Avenue. No results yet.”

Allan Appel Photo

On the grounds, there were already results. The day following the initial call, Sept. 16, EPA contractors identified more pollution threats, according to Tippets: A damaged and partially filled above ground oil storage tank estimated at 500 to 600 gallons and several 55-gallon drums whose contents and conditions are not well known. Many show signs of rusting and corrosion.”

Tippets said that the EPA and CT DEEP will oversee clean-up on the land. The Coast Guard will clean up anything that touches the water.

He did not have an estimate about how much money has been spent or committed thus far to the effort. There’s a federal fund [open] for us to boom off the area and clean up. Once they identify the responsible party, they’ll be responsible for payment,” he said.

As to the substantial threat” characterization, Tippets said that in recent history multiple sheens have been observed on the Mill River and that the oil on the property is known to be uncontrolled.”

Even a drop is substantial and the Coast Guard takes seriously any amount. We want to get on the river and clean [it up].”

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