This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The public is being invited to comment on a "draft decision document" related to the June 2010 oil spill into Red Butte Creek that concludes no further cleanup by Chevron Pipe Line Co. is needed.
The Utah Division of Water Quality will accept comments Friday through Dec. 10.
An open house is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the Pingree School Gymnasium, 780 S. Guardsman Way. Representatives from the division, Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City and Salt Lake Valley Health Department will be present.
"The Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments" found that traces of contamination remaining in the creek are not a threat to human health or the environment, according to John Whitehead, assistant division director. Continued monitoring of the creek water, sediment and insects to confirm these conclusions would be required to continue through 2015.
"Chevron is not completely off the hook," Whitehead said. "The risk assessments show that the water quality of Red Butte Creek is similar to that of other urban Salt Lake-area creeks unaffected by the oil spill. However, if additional contamination from the spilled oil is found in the future, Chevron can be required to do additional cleanup."
Written comments on the draft decision document and related compliance order can be emailed to Chris Bittner at cbittner@utah.gov before 5 p.m. Dec. 10.
More information on the proposed "Draft Decision Document" and proposed compliance order, and all other related documents, can be found at http://1.usa.gov/LRbbY2.
An earlier November 2011 settlement required Chevron to pay a $3.5 million penalty; $3 million of that to be used on restoration projects that enhance or protect the waterways harmed by the spill and a civil penalty of $500,000 to the state of Utah. Chevron also paid $1 million to Salt Lake City. —
Comments sought on Red Butte oil spill
O The public comment period on the "draft decision document," which concludes no further cleanup by Chevron Pipe Line Co. is needed, begins Friday and runs through Dec. 10. Comments can be emailed to Chris Bittner at cbittner@utah.gov. For more information, http://1.usa.gov/LRbbY2.