Final results of the water and sediment samples will be submitted to DEQ March 5. After that, DEQ will issue a report with conclusions about the impact to the environment. The sampling on the second round was also expanded to include macro-invertebrate samples taken from under rocks in selected areas of the river. These organisms, such as mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies, are one indicator of a river's health. The results will provide information about whether the spill resulted in an environmental impact to these species, and the degree of that impact.
Results are pending.
A total of 5,800 gallons of fuel oil spilled Jan. 27 at 2 a.m., in the area adjacent to the Yaquina River. More than 3,300 gallons of the initial spill have been recovered directly by vacuum trucks. Another sizeable, but unquantifiable volume of fuel oil has been captured and removed via absorbent booms, absorbent pom pom strings, absorbent pads, and continued manual extraction by personnel. About 330 feet of booming remains at three locations along three miles of the Yaquina between the spill area at River Mile 30 and downstream to River Mile 27. Small amounts of fuel continue to be recovered as they collect at the booms.