Philipsburg:--- Tadzio Bervoets, Manager of Nature Foundation in his report about an oil spill in the Great Salt Pond on Thursday said the NatureFoundation was contacted regarding an Oil Spill in the Great Salt Pond. Upon arrival at the scene at approximately 10:15 A.M an oil slick originating from the vicinity of the Landfill could be seen stretching across of the Great Salt Pond. Subsequent inspections at the sight of the landfill noticed an area on the landfill where a significant amount of oil was being dumped (dumping hole). The oil subsequently found its way into a trench which led directly into the Great Salt Pond.The Landfill supervisor was requested by the Nature Foundation to close the trench and he readily agreed to do so. An excavator was brought in and the trench was closed, stopping the flow of oil into the Great Salt Pond.
When the supervisor was asked as to the possible origin of the spill he commented that he did not know but that many trucks regularly dump oil at that location. It was stated that many trucks fail to mention that they are dumping waste oil in the Great Salt Pond but still do so.
The oil which previously entered into the Great Salt Pond spread into the direction of the A. Th Illidge rd. and a significant amount of oil was found behind Sunny Foods Supermarket. The Public Works Department was informed of the situation and will take steps to remediate the problem.
A sample of the sand was taken and was found to contain significant levels of waste oil. Various bird species, including egrets Egretta), herons (Ardeidae) and pelicans (Pelicanus occidentialis) where in close proximity to the slick.
The Nature Foundation recommends that all steps be taken to prevent dumping of waste oil in an area of the Landfill that would possibly enable introduction into the Great Salt Pond. The dumping of waste oil and other combustible materials can contribute greatly to the danger of fires on the Landfill. The dumping of waste oil continuously further degenerates the wetland ecosystem of the Great Salt Pond and can have serious negative health effects on the populace.
