26 November 2024
On 14 November The Allegheny Entrance described oil air pollution on the Monongahela River that’s been taking place for greater than two years. Monitored by Three Rivers Waterkeeper since Could 2022, an oil sheen generally covers the water from financial institution to financial institution for 3 miles, all the best way to McKeesport. This could’t be good for our bald eagles who nest alongside on the Mon and eat fish from its water.
In October 2023 Three Rivers Waterkeeper posted images of the oil sheen on Instagram.
“These are fairly critical sheens,” stated Captain Evan Clark, a ship captain for Three Rivers Waterkeeper. “Once I’m boating round up there, my boat is working by a heavy rainbow sheen that may lengthen from one financial institution of the river to the opposite, actually for miles.”
In August 2022, an EPA inspector reported oil discharge from the plant’s outfall, or drainage pipe, and located “substantial rainbow sheening might be seen for roughly 3 miles downstream.”(*)
Final yr the Pennsylvania Dept of Environmental Safety (DEP) decided the oil was coming from a USS Irvin Works outfall and “issued a compliance order requiring U.S. Metal to deploy absorbent booms, examine the reason for the releases and implement a plan to repair any issues.” — The Allegheny Entrance
However a yr later the issue has not been addressed and it occurred once more final month. DEP has proposed setting a water air pollution allow degree on that outfall. Three Rivers Waterkeeper desires real-time monitoring on it.
In the meantime, oil-covered water can’t be good for our bald eagles who contact the water’s floor and eat fish and waterfowl captured in or on the water.
Throughout an oil sheen episode the pair that nests at USS Irvin Works can’t hunt the Mon for 3 miles downstream of their nest with out being uncovered to the oil. This can be a lot of territory to keep away from with hungry chicks within the nest.
Workers at USS Irvin Works are so pleased with their bald eagle pair that the corporate put in an eaglecam to observe them on the nest. Absolutely USS Irvin Works will clear up this outfall to guard everybody that makes use of the Mon … together with their favourite eagles.
Learn extra in regards to the difficulty right here at The Allegheny Entrance.
p.s. I hear that WTAE will report on this subject tonight, 26 November. Right here’s their native information hyperlink.
