Response team can't find source of oil sheen on Snake River

A state Department of Ecology last week responded to a report of an oil sheen on the Snake River near Lower Granite Dam. The Army Corps of Engineers reported the sheen last Wednesday, Dec. 5.

The Corps, the Environmental Protection Agency and Whitman County Emergency Management Division deployed absorbent booms above and below the fish ladder at the Lower Granite Dam. The dam has been ruled out as the possible source of the oil sheen.

Early estimates describe the size of the spill to be less than 10 gallons.

Ecology spill responders later reported they were unable to locate an oil sheen or a spill source. They removed the absorbent booms at the dam. The boom did not appear to be collecting oil from the water.

“This potential spill appeared to be a very minor release of unknown origin, but highlights the importance of vigilance and reporting,” said Jeff Luis, Ecology’s Eastern and Central Region Spill Response Team Supervisor.

According to Brook Beeler, Ecology communications manager, crews went upstream and downstream trying to locate a source, but found nothing.

All oil spills cause environmental damage, regardless of size. Oil is toxic to the environment and the damage starts as soon as the oil hits water. A single quart of oil has the potential to foul more than 100,000 gallons of water, the report said.