Petroleum spills into Stockton canal, clean-up efforts underway
STOCKTON – A clean-up effort is underway after petroleum spilled into a canal near Stockton, officials said.
Petroleum is reported to be from an oil burned that holds up to 380 gallons, the U.S. Coast Guard said. It was first reported to have been released near the Smith Canal in Stockton on Friday.
The Stockton Fire Department and California Fish and Wildlife deployed a sorbent boom to reduce impacts on the environment. Another layer of hard boom was then deployed on both sides of the spill to prevent it from entering the San Joaquin River.
The Patriot Environmental Services was hired to contain and recover the petroleum.
In an update Sunday, the Coast Guard said the petroleum was contained to a mile-and-a-half stretch in the canal. Clean-up efforts were underway and a safety zone was established for marine traffic from Louis Park to Yosemite Lake. However, people are urged to avoid the area.
Fish and Wildlife said it rescinded a closure to fishing but still advised to not consume any fish or shellfish from the Port of Stockton due to a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination unrelated to the oil spill.
The U.S. Coast Guard says no oiled wildlife has been seen at this point.
