Monday’s tanker accident on Interstate 5 near Northgate
has brought two reports of contamination in Thornton Creek.
Dana writes:
As a result of the accident there was a fuel spill into Thornton Creek. I took the attached photos around 8:30 a.m., showing a hazmat team responding at the corner of 5th & 103rd. My husband ran past the same corner around 6:15 am and said there was a very strong fuel odor coming from the creek at that time.
This is especially unfortunate considering that major restoration work had just been completed along this section of the creek, which I think you’d reported on previously.
And on Wednesday Chris wrote:
“I was down on Thornton Creek at the end of Ninth Avenue Northeast this afternoon, downstream of the beaver pond (and thus downstream of the absorbent materials placed in the creek). There is still a pervasive smell of diesel from Monday’s accident/spill, despite heavy rain and high water. Poor, poor creek.”
Additionally, the Thornton Creek Alliance is holding a meeting at 7:15 p.m. today and will have a briefing on the spill. The meeting is at Meadowbrook Community Center, 10517 35th Ave. N.E.
This isn’t anywhere near the level of devastation of the BP oil spill in the Gulf, but it’s in the same realm.
It’s another reminder of the hidden costs of using fossil fuels to power the trucks, transporting fossil fuels. Getting out of that trap, is going to take a long time; or so it seems.
Yay, comments. Most of you are interesting reading.