Emergency services deploy containment booms to handle oil spill at the Northville Downs site.
An accidental oil spill during the demolition of Northville Downs racetrack has contaminated local waterways, prompting a swift response from emergency services. Construction machinery punctured oil drums, releasing a mix of motor oil and kerosene, which threatened the River Rouge. Containment efforts were initiated immediately to minimize damage. The cleanup is in progress, and city officials are assessing the impact while addressing community concerns about environmental safety.
In what was supposed to be just another day of demolition at the former Northville Downs racetrack, things took a turn for the worse on Friday, June 21, 2024. Just before the clock struck 3 p.m., a mishap involving heavy machinery led to an unexpected oil spill, sending shockwaves through the local community. Let’s break down what happened and what’s being done about it.
It all started when construction machinery accidentally punctured several oil drums and a poly tote storage container. As a result, a mixture of motor oil and kerosene began to spill across the asphalt, with some of these hazardous materials making their way into the River Rouge through a nearby storm drain about 100 feet from where it all began. Thankfully, officials have reassured the public that there is no immediate danger associated with this incident.
Quick reactions were key! The local Northville emergency services team sprang into action, joined by the skilled members of the Western Wayne County HazMat Team. Two containment booms were deployed to capture the oil and keep it from spreading in the river, and they will remain in place until cleanup efforts are fully completed.
In the aftermath, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were alerted and moved swiftly to inspect the scene. By June 24, officials reported that emergency responders had successfully removed eight drums containing residual petroleum and one poly tote. Initial assessments suggest that less than 100 gallons of hazardous material had leaked, mostly from that poly tote.
Lucky for us, the booms worked like a charm. They managed to capture a majority of the spilled oil almost immediately after deployment, and since the incident, no oil has been spotted in the river. Additionally, vacuum trucks have been used to suck up any standing liquid from the site and from four covered catch basins. It’s a real team effort to clean things up!
The demolition is part of an ambitious $300 million redevelopment project aimed at transforming the old racetrack into 443 housing units and several parks, one of which will be located right along the River Rouge. Construction is expected to wrap up by July 2024. However, city officials are now awaiting test results from both river water and soil samples, which have been taken to ensure everything is up to scratch.
While local authorities are optimistic about the swift response and containment efforts, not everyone is feeling at ease. Environmental nonprofit group Friends of the Rouge has voiced concerns about potential long-term repercussions on local ecosystems due to the spill. Additionally, some residents have taken legal action against both the city and the developer, citing fears over environmental and health impacts linked to this mishap.
Northville City Manager George Lahanas has commended the quick response from local emergency teams and HazMat personnel, emphasizing that the city is committed to managing this challenge in line with all relevant laws and best practices. A private contractor has also been engaged for ongoing cleanup tasks. The situation is evolving, and only time will tell how this incident will impact the vibrant community and its plans for development.
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