Thank you to everyone who has shown an interest in the recent heating oil #4 spill on the Bronx River!
As river advocates, we are so pleased at your outpouring of support and questions. We have received confirmation from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) that as of yesterday (March 10th) they have removed all sorbent booms and hard booms from between 233rd St. to the Fordham boom in the Bronx. The Fordham boom will remain for the next few days while DEC staff and crews clean out the affected storm sewer line in Yonkers that transported the oil directly to the river. There is still a boom up at the outfall to catch any remaining oil until either storms naturally or the contractors deliberately flush the pipe.
Over 100 cubic yards of trash, debris, and other materials were removed from the river in this area as clean-up crews removed oil from the river.
Although we hope that there will be no more spills in the near future, if you see any evidence of an oily sheen or hear reports of illegal dumping, please send any photographs with the time and location to our Ecology Director, michelle.luebke@parks.nyc.gov.
Thank you on behalf of the river and the Bronx River Alliance!
