02-22-2007
26 Birds Die On Winona
BY JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer
WINONA LAKE – At least 26 birds were killed when melting snow combined with motor oil and diesel fuel and contaminated Winona Lake Tuesday afternoon.
According to Indiana State Conservation Officer Lyle Enyeart, 21 coots, three Canadian Geese and two ducks were found dead Tuesday. He said the birds probably died of hypothermia after their feathers were coated with oil and diesel fuel, causing them to mat together. Without the feathers, the birds are unable to fight off water and cold.
Around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, the spill was discovered by wastewater treatment employees who were checking storm water outfalls.
As snow melted and combined with the oil and fuel from a truck parking lot at Dalton Foundries, it drained into a storm sewer and moved out into Winona Lake.
Once the spill was found, the employees put out oil-absorbing booms to contain the spill and keep more contaminants from entering the lake.
Conservation officers and officials from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management were called and traveled to the scene to investigate.
A spill recovery team also was called to assist in the recovery of the diesel fuel and motor oil.
26 Birds Die On Winona
BY JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer
WINONA LAKE – At least 26 birds were killed when melting snow combined with motor oil and diesel fuel and contaminated Winona Lake Tuesday afternoon.
According to Indiana State Conservation Officer Lyle Enyeart, 21 coots, three Canadian Geese and two ducks were found dead Tuesday. He said the birds probably died of hypothermia after their feathers were coated with oil and diesel fuel, causing them to mat together. Without the feathers, the birds are unable to fight off water and cold.
Around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, the spill was discovered by wastewater treatment employees who were checking storm water outfalls.
As snow melted and combined with the oil and fuel from a truck parking lot at Dalton Foundries, it drained into a storm sewer and moved out into Winona Lake.
Once the spill was found, the employees put out oil-absorbing booms to contain the spill and keep more contaminants from entering the lake.
Conservation officers and officials from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management were called and traveled to the scene to investigate.
A spill recovery team also was called to assist in the recovery of the diesel fuel and motor oil.