FORKS — Diesel fuel spilled from a tanker truck Wednesday has reached wetlands and an unnamed creek on Hoh tribal land, the state Department of Ecology confirmed Thursday.
An unknown amount of the fuel flowed into a culvert under U.S. Highway 101 into a creek and then into the wetlands about 25 miles south of Forks.
The wetlands drain into Chalaat Creek; no impacts to the Hoh River are expected, Ecology said.
New estimate
Ecology increased its estimate of spilled fuel from 3,500 gallons to 4,300 gallons Thursday.
The northbound Pettit Oil truck drove into a ditch at about 8:24 a.m. Wednesday, causing its trailer, carrying 5,600 gallons of fuel, to overturn into a ditch alongside the highway.
Jim Sachet, regional spill response manager for Ecology, called the spill an “unfortunate accident” in a statement.
“Efforts are focused on collecting as much diesel as possible from the accident scene and nearby wetland,” he said.
Pettit Oil has hired Cowlitz Clean Sweep to assist with the cleanup.
No alcohol or drugs were involved in the wreck, the State Patrol said. Road conditions were also not a factor since the highway was bare at the time.
Hoh acting Executive Director Bob Smith said he was told the fuel had been contained in the wetlands.
“It’s a horrible thing that happened,” he said, adding, “The process being taken to mitigate it is very positive.”
Cleanup
Spill responders from Ecology, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hoh tribe have begun excavating contaminated soil, Ecology said. Booms and absorbent pads were deployed Wednesday.
Traffic will remain alternating through the southbound lane until soil excavation, expected to take another three days, is complete.
Ecology spokeswoman Kim Schmanke said she will likely have a better idea today what the “final cleanup option” will be for the wetlands.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
