[JHeath]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=48379.11

3/4/2008 10:54:00 AM
Substance Spills Into Trail Creek

Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - A group of fishermen tipped off state officials to contamination on Sunday afternoon in Trail Creek.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers and Indiana Department of Environmental Manage-ment were able to trace the source.

The fishermen were at the U.S. 12 bridge and noticed a sheen from some substance flowing down the creek. A strong odor seemed to be following the sheen.

After receiving a call at about 3 p.m., Officer Gene Davis responded to the complaint and he and Officer Rob Harlow traced the source of the contamination to Blocksom Co., located along Trail Creek.

According to the DNR, Blocksom "apparently had an underground tank that was overflowing" into the creek.

After consulting the Indiana Department of Environmental Manage-ment, a private company was tasked with pumping the hazardous materials from the tank.

Davis said a broken pipe leading to the tank was located on the surface. He said he believes recent rain and snow entered the tank through the pipe and caused the overflow.

Davis said Monday the substance has not yet been identified, adding his best guess is it is a cleaning solvent or old gasoline.

The DNR commended the fishermen who reported the problem.

"This was a perfect example of how the public can recognize a possible disastrous situation and report it," Harlow said.

Blocksom manufactures a variety of natural fiber products.