Quarry Oil Spill Updates

Posted on March 16, 2012 by admin
Barge Removal Operations March 8, 2012

Photo of Barge Removal Operations (March 12, 2012)

To help you keep up-to-date on what is happening at the quarry on Lummi Island operated by Lummi Rock LLC (Aggregates West), here is a summary of articles posted so far:

We will continue to add links as further information is obtained. Also, see the DOE web page for further updates from them (includes photos).

Also, you can read the original Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA)from the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife which included this stipulation:

Work below the ordinary high water line shall not occur from March 15 through June 14 of any year for the protection of migrating juvenile salmonids.

The HPA is currently being revised since the discovery that a second sunken barge also exists near the same location.

Photo of What Appears to Be An Oil Spill at Quarry (2-27-2012)

Photo of What Appears to Be An Oil Spill at Quarry (2-27-2012)

Posted in Regulatory Non-compliance, Updates | Leave a comment

Video Introduces Problems With Proposed Quarry Expansion

Posted on December 21, 2011 by admin

The Lummi Island Conservancy created the following video to explain some of the issues regarding the proposed expansion of the Lummi Island Quarry:

Please donate to help us block the proposed expansion.

Posted in Background Information, Updates | Leave a comment

Oil Spill News Release from DOE 3/29/2012

Posted on March 31, 2012 by admin

Barge removal effort suspended to protect salmon

BELLINGHAM – A sunken barge off Lummi Island will have to stay put until at least June 15 to prevent potential oil spills that could harm migrating juvenile salmon.

The removal effort has resulted in small, periodic oil spills, leaving an occasional thin coating of oil, or sheen, on the water. While the barge’s hold appears to be empty, the source is likely some residual heavy oil under sediment resting in the bottom of the hull that is released whenever the sediment is disturbed. Continue reading →

Posted in Updates | Leave a comment

Oil Spill News Release from DOE 3/20/2012

Posted on March 23, 2012 by admin

BELLINGHAM – No oily sheen has been reported since last week as salvage workers continue efforts to remove two submerged barges from the south end of Lummi Island. Continue reading →

Posted in Regulatory Non-compliance, Updates | Leave a comment

Oil Spill Photos Friday, March 16

Posted on March 19, 2012 by admin

Here is a photo taken on Friday, March 16, 2012, of the scene at the quarry on Lummi Island as the removal of sunken barges continues and oil spill containment efforts go on:

Quarry Oil Spill and Barge Removal Scene, 3/16/2012

Quarry Oil Spill and Barge Removal, 3/16/2012

Continue reading →

Posted in Updates | Leave a comment

Washington State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Posted on March 16, 2012 by admin

Document linked below is from the WA State Dept. of Natural Resources (Aquatics)  regarding Lummi Island quarry operations.

  • Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) for removing sunken barge issued Dec. 9, 2011. UPDATE: This document is being revised and resubmitted upon discovery that there are two sunken barges instead of only one.
Posted in Public Documents | Leave a comment

Oil Spill News Release from DOE 3/16/2012

Posted on March 16, 2012 by admin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 16, 2012
BELLINGHAM – Workers continued to dismantle the first of two sunken barges – the second of which has been releasing oil – at the south end of Lummi Island today.  Completion of the first barge will enable crews to begin removing the second vessel right away.   Continue reading →

Posted in Regulatory Non-compliance, Updates | Leave a comment

Oil Spill News Release from DOE 3/15/2012

Posted on March 16, 2012 by admin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 15, 2012
BELLINGHAM – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is responding to an oil spill from a sunken barge at the south end of Lummi Island.

Ecology discovered the spill early this afternoon at the Lummi Rock LLC (Lummi Rock) quarry.  The barge has released an unknown amount of oil, leaving sheen, a thin coating, on the water and nearby shore.   Ecology has directed Lummi Rock to place additional oil spill cleanup and containment materials around the fully submerged barge and on the beach.  State and federal authorities are working to determine the type of oil, how much is on the barge, and how to safely remove or contain it. Continue reading →

Posted in Regulatory Non-compliance, Updates | Leave a comment

Herald Reports on Quarry Oil Spill

Posted on March 16, 2012 by admin

Bellingham Herald published an article on Thursday, March 15, 2012, about the oil spill at the Lummi Island quarry operated by Lummi Rock LLC. The article also revealed there are two sunken barges at the same location, instead of one as was previously thought.

On Friday, March 16, the Herald published another article about the clean-up efforts underway by the State Dept. of Ecology.

 

Posted in Regulatory Non-compliance, Updates | Leave a comment

Quarry Oil Spill

Posted on March 10, 2012 by admin
Barge Removal Operations March 8, 2012

Photo of Barge Removal Operations at Quarry on Lummi Island (March 12, 2012)

Lummi Rock LLC was ordered to remove a sunken barge from the tidelands on the shoreline of their quarry operation in Smugglers Cove by the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) last year (2011).  They have until August 2012 to do this. Due to fish windows limiting when they can work in the water, they are trying to accomplish this now, by cutting off various sections of the barge and hauling them away.

During recent work on March 8th, 2012 sediment and oil escaped from the containment area and was reported to the Department of Ecology. The source of the petroleum substance release has not yet been determined and has been investigated by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Photo of What Appears to Be An Oil Spill at Quarry (2-27-2012)

Photo of What Appears to Be An Oil Spill at Quarry (2-27-2012)

It has also come to light that a previous release of a petroleum product had taken place a few days earlier.  The source of this release is also not known.  It is not known whether it is related to preparations for the sunken barge removal or is an unrelated spill related to the adjacent moored vessels in the cove.

These spills are a violation of the state Department of Ecology’s water quality laws and the Clean Water Act.  Investigation is on-going.

Posted in Regulatory Non-compliance, Updates | Leave a comment

Urgent Action Needed on Retroactive Dock Permit Application

Posted on February 28, 2012 by admin

Lummi Rock LLC (Aggregates West) has applied for a retroactive Shoreline Conditional Use permit for the barge loading facility they built and have been using illegally since 2007. (Read a copy of the application document and attached narrative.) They also have filed a related application for a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit. (See a copy.) Note that the company must meet all the criteria listed at the beginning of the Conditional Use Permit application for the application to qualify for approval. Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS) must determine whether or not the use applied for would in any way violate with the Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program (Title 23). Continue reading →

Posted in Updates, What Can I Do? | 1 Comment