NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Feb. 3, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 34

For more information contact Gregory DeCowsky, Site Investigation and Restoration Branch, Division of Air and Waste Management, 302-395-2600; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

      Public Comments Sought by Feb. 23 on Consent Decree for Natural Resource Damages
                                              from International Petroleum Corporation Oil Spill

DNREC’s Site Investigation and Restoration Branch is requesting public comments on the Consent Decree which settles International Petroleum Corporation’s (IPC) liability for natural resource damages resulting from an oil spill into the Christina River in 2006. The public comment period, which opened Feb. 2, ends 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 23.

IPC operated a waste oil recycling business at its facility at 505 S. Market Street in Wilmington, adjacent to the Christina River. On July 15, 2006, a release of waste oil petroleum occurred at the facility and entered the Christina River. The release affected approximately 7.2 miles of Christina River shoreline, approximately 1.5 miles of Brandywine River shoreline, and associated natural resources.

DNREC and IPC voluntarily entered into a Consent Decree that settled the liability claims, as well as reimbursement for all past natural resource damage (NRD) assessment costs for the spill. Under the Decree, IPC agreed to pay $194,011 to the state’s Hazardous Substance Cleanup Fund for restoration of natural resources damaged by the spill. In addition, IPC will pay all NRD assessment costs to DNREC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A copy of the Consent Decree is posted on DNREC’s web site, www.awm.delaware.gov, and is available at DNREC’s Site Investigation and Restoration Branch, 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720.
 
Written comments should be submitted to Greg DeCowsky at DNREC’s address listed above or emailed to Gregory.DeCowsky@state.de.us
by 4:30 p.m., Feb. 23. Members of the public can request a public hearing by contacting Greg DeCowsky in writing or by email by Feb. 23. For more information, call 302-395-2600.