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Contact: Tawnya Schoewe, 218-283-6670
KABETOGAMA, MN: On Friday June 22nd at 12:49 p.m., the park was notified that there had been a 15-20 gallon fuel oil spill on the north side of Peterson Bay at a private residence during a delivery of fuel by contractors. At 1:28 p.m. 130 feet of fuel containment boom and 200 fuel spill absorbent pads were deployed around the fuel spill area. The U.S Coast Guard Response Center, EPA, MN DNR, Kabetogama Fire Department, and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency were all contacted and notified of the spill. Due to the fuel oil being diluted and dispersed after the spill, containment efforts were not fully successful as fuel oil spread out beyond the boom. At 9:04 p.m. the park received reports that fuel was along the beach on the south side of Peterson Bay. Rangers responded and found that there was an oily sheen along the southern shoreline. The second report was also reported to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and a Saint Louis County Deputy Sheriff also responded to Kabetogama. At this time the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has advised us that evaporation is our best option as there is no way to siphon or soak up the diluted fuel off the water surface. The park is monitoring the fuels movement and the boom will stay in place until Monday June 25th at 9 a.m. to allow for evaporation to occur. The park reminds local businesses and contractors who dispense fuel to have fuel containment supplies on hand and containment plans in place prior to spills. Rangers are working to contact local residents and businesses to advise them of the incident, and continue to investigate.
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Last updated: June 25, 2018