上百萬加侖漏油 污染密西根卡拉馬祖河 | 環境資訊中心
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上百萬加侖漏油 污染密西根卡拉馬祖河

2010年08月05日
摘譯自2010年7月29日ENS蘭辛,密西根州報導;段譽豪編譯;蔡麗伶審校

密西根溢油污染的景象,圖片來源:密西根政府。處理溢油的工人在29日表示,他們已經成功阻止了從密西根西南部流向卡拉馬祖河(Kalamazoo)洩漏的油污,而事實上,不同機構的官員對於油污擴散的距離以及油污是否被成功阻止仍有不同看法。

美國環保署(EPA)已經接手聯邦現場協調員的工作,環保署官員指出,密西根湖以及卡拉馬祖的飲用水安全似乎沒有疑慮。

根據1990年的石油污染法案,這個發生在內陸而不是外海的油污外洩事件的權責機構是環保署。

7月28日的時候,一條安橋公司的30吋輸油管在馬歇爾爆裂,數百萬加崙的原油流入卡拉馬祖河的支流塔馬梅奇河(Talmadge Creek)。

洩漏的石油影響了卡拉馬祖河長達25英里的河道。洩漏處位於馬歇爾和巴特爾河(Battle Creek)之間,中間包括了沼澤、農田住宅與商業區。

關於與安橋能源的合作夥伴表示,他們已經阻止了油污的洩漏,不過在28日下午時,仍可見到油污順著溝渠流入卡拉馬祖河。

環保署長傑克森(Lisa Jackson)說,「這是一個嚴重的漏油事件,很有可能損壞水道並且威脅公眾健康。環保署當地以及總部人員都在現場,以確保對洩漏石油的控制與清理能有效且迅速。」

環保署表示,雖然石油洩漏已經停止,但官員表示超過百萬加崙的石油可能已經流入河川當中。卡拉馬祖河的流速很高,環保署目前的重點在於防止安橋漏油事件影響敏感的河岸區,最終目標則是保護密西根湖。

密西根州長葛萊赫姆(Jennifer Granholm)在29日仍持續動員各方面的資源,以滿足防止油污擴散的需求。州長已要求美國海岸衛隊評估局勢並提供建議,以防止漏油污染繼續擴大。

28日的時候,美國環保局要求海岸衛隊提供2百萬美金以支付聯邦政府對漏油處理的需求。如果有需要,環保署可以要求更多的資金。對於所花的處理費用,聯邦政府打算對安橋公司要求全額的賠償。

州長葛萊赫姆27日宣布,卡爾霍恩縣以及週遭沿著卡拉馬祖河下游到塔爾梅奇河的區域為受災區。

「我們的重點在於保護環境以及密西根的人民,提供任何可能的國家資源以處理這種情況。」葛萊赫姆說。「官員們以及國家機構正積極參與並對這些工作做出努力,並努力協調地方與聯邦單位,以確保我們的回應是即時且有效的。」

國家代表28日在現場與地方、州政府、聯邦單位以及相關的私人機構會面,提供受災的居民以及野生動物所需的幫助。美國並設立了聯合信息中心,負責協調提供新聞媒體的公開訊息。

密西根州29日啟動了一個新的網站,提供救災訊息以及公開資訊:http://www.michigan.gov/oilspill

Million Gallons of Oil Spill into Michigan's Kalamazoo River
LANSING, Michigan, July 29, 2010 (ENS)

Oil spill response workers said Thursday that they have stopped the spread of oil heading down the Kalamazoo River from a broken pipeline in southwest Michigan, but officials from various agencies differ on how far the oil has moved and whether or not the oil leak has, in fact, been stopped.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has assumed the role of Federal On-Scene Coordinator and EPA officials said Lake Michigan and drinking water sources for the city of Kalamazoo appear to be safe.

EPA has responsibility under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 for this spill because it happened inland, rather than offshore.

On Monday, a 30 inch pipeline belonging to Enbridge Inc. burst in Marshall, Michigan, releasing hundreds of thousands of gallons of crude oil into Talmadge Creek, a tributary of the Kalamazoo River.

The spill has affected up to 25 miles of the Kalamazoo River. The spill site, located between Marshall and Battle Creek, includes marshlands, residential areas, farmland and businesses.

Officials with Enbridge Energy Partners, said they had stanched the leak, but on Thursday afternoon a flow of oil could be seen beyond a containment dike moving into the Kalamazoo River.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said, "This is a serious spill that has the potential to damage a vital waterway and threatens public health. Staff from EPA's regional and headquarters office are on the scene and ensuring the leaked oil is contained and cleaned up as quickly and effectively as possible."

While the EPA says the oil leak has been stopped, the agency says over a million gallons of oil may have leaked into the river. The Kalamazoo River is a fast-moving river and EPA's focus right now is on preventing oil from the Enbridge spill from affecting sensitive shorelines and, ultimately, keeping the oil out of Lake Michigan.

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm today continued to push for sufficient resources to adequately address the oil spill. The governor has asked the U.S. Coast Guard to assess the situation and provide recommendations for stopping the advance of oil.

On Wednesday, EPA requested the U.S. Coast Guard make $2 million available to fund the federal government's operations in response to the spill. EPA can request additional funding if it determines more is needed. The federal government intends to seek full reimbursement for all money spent on this response from the responsible party, Enbridge, Inc.

Governor Granholm Tuesday declared a state of disaster in Calhoun County and potentially affected areas along the Kalamazoo River downstream of Talmadge Creek.

"Our focus is protecting Michigan citizens and our environment by providing any needed state resources to expediently address the situation," said Granholm. "Officials with several state agencies are actively engaged in this response effort and are working in concert with local and federal agencies to ensure that our response is timely and effective."

State agencies were on scene today meeting with local, state, federal, and private sector responders, and providing help to citizens and wildlife impacted by the spill. The state has activated a Joint Information Center to coordinate the dissemination of public information to the news media.

Michigan today launched a new website with response efforts and public information at:http://www.michigan.gov/oilspill.

全文及圖片詳見:ENS報導

 

作者

蔡麗伶(LiLing Barricman)

In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.