A significant oil spill was discovered by Road Commissioner David Winchell at the public boat ramp on Youngs’ Ridge Road. He reported the spill to Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s Oil and Hazardous Materials Specialist, Ann Hemenway, and the two met on April 24 to plan remediation strategy. As soon as the DEP completes a laboratory analysis of the spill, Mr Winchell will have his crew remove the affected soil and replace it with new material. Apparently, the spill occurred when someone was removing a fishing shack from the lake and perhaps hit a rock causing either a hole in an oil pan or damage to their transmission fluid line. This is considered an emergency spill and the incurred cost will be shared by DEP and the Town of Acton.
It is important for all of us to be alert for such spills and report them to DEP immediately so that the spill can be contained and remediated as soon as possible. The number to call is Toll Free 1-800-482-0777 and is available 24 hours a day.
Calls may be anonymous.