Clean-up underway of diesel spill above Detroit Lake

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality spill response staff returned Monday to the scene of a recent diesel spill from a cell tower power generator on Hall Ridge on the slopes far above Detroit Lake, the U.S. Forest Service reported Monday.

DEQ Regional Cleanup and Emergency Response Manager Michael Kucinski said, “Approximately 450 gallons of diesel spilled, and we are in the process of removing the contaminated soil and rock. Unfortunately, the heavy snowfall late last week has hampered our progress, but we are resuming cleanup efforts today (Monday).”

In addition to the soil and rock removal, the DEQ is sampling water quality to see if the diesel is moving off the ridge and into streams lower on the slopes, the Willamette National Forest reported.

There will be monitoring stations placed in the headwaters of Tumble Creek, several unnamed tributaries to Detroit Lake and possibly in Detroit Lake itself.

“While no issues are anticipated, DEQ is sampling to be cautious,” the Forest Service said.

The spill originated from a generator for an AT&T communications tower, officials said. The company has complied with its notification and reporting requirements following the spill. AT&T and the Willamette National Forest are cooperating fully with DEQ in the cleanup, forest officials said.