PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles will pay $55,000 for the cleanup of a mineral oil spill, caused by vandalism, on the Rayonier Mill site.
This funding, which was unanimously approved by the seven Port Angeles City Council members on Tuesday, will come from the five-year Capital Facilities Plan’s $100,000 vandalism repairs budget.
The mineral oil spill occurred Feb. 2 when individuals cut down a power pole along the Olympic Discovery Trail on the Rayonier Mill site in an apparent attempt to strip copper wire, according to the city council agenda.
The pole included three transformers, which leaked mineral oil on the ground. Staff cleaned up the oil using absorbents, and the spill area was covered with an industrial tarp to prevent washout or leaching from rainfall.
The state Department of Ecology was notified, and experts assessed the situation for mitigation. Environmental cleanup of the oil spill is necessary, the council agenda stated.
National Response Corporation (NRC) Environmental Services, Inc., a national organization, will clean up the spill by removing contaminated soil to the depth needed. Constant monitoring and testing will be done during excavation, the agenda said.
The value is an estimate based on the known affected area.
________
Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
