The public utilities district (PUD) of Chelan County, Washington, has agreed to settle fines associated with three oil spills near the Columbia River since July 2010.
According to the Wenatchee World, the state Department of Ecology cited the utility for the spills in an area of Rock Island. The incidents included a 23-gallon hydraulic oil spill from a fish weir into the Chiwawa River, a 31-gallon spill into the Columbia River from the Rock Island protect, and a 23-gallon spill from the Rock Island Dam earlier this year.
The company has agreed to plant native vegetation in the area south of Rock Island as part of the settlement. Oil that is floating on water can be absorbed using top products from Impact Absorbents including its XSORB Oil Select Absorbent Bag.
A spokeswoman for the Washington state Department of Ecology told the news agency that all companies responsible for oil spills that reach water must be fined, but the agency tries to also reach a settlement that will benefit the environment.
Jennifer Burns, PUD environmental coordinator, said it’s nearly impossible to prevent all spills.
“We’re always working toward not having any spills occur, but there’s always something unanticipated,” Burns noted.
