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Massive Oil Spill Off Staten Island "Confined," But Threat To Bird Sanctuary Unknown
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Dec 17, 2012
Modified Dec 17, 2012
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Dec 17, 2012
Modified Dec 17, 2012
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The Coast Guard believes the oil spill that started in the waters between Staten Island and New Jersey on Friday morning has largely been contained, but it's still unclear how much oil leaked out. The spill began as a leaky barge owned by Boston Marine Transport carrying 147,000 gallons of fuel transferred its oil to another barge, and "tens of thousands of gallons" of oil gushed out, causing visible slicks as many as 11 miles away. While a Coast Guard spokesman told the AP that the bulk of the oil is "pretty much confined" to the Kill Van Kull, which connects the Newark Bay to the Upper New York Bay, the Times reported that the oil has reached the Shooters Island bird sanctuary.
Shooters Island is maintained by the Parks Department and closed to the general public, and hosts "the glossy ibis, black-crowned night heron, and species like the snowy egret and great egret," according to the Times. Photos show Shooter Island being surrounded by booms to trap oil and other particles.
Mike Hanson, a spokesman for the Coast Guard and an employee of a "crisis media management" firm, tells us authorities are still trying to determine how much oil was spilled and how the spill has affected Shooters Island. "We're hoping to have an estimate later this afternoon," Hanson said.
We'll update if we receive any more information.
Tagged
environmental disasters
oil spills
shooters island
staten island
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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