Coast Guard responds to Cheboygan oil spill

NEWS RELEASES

U.S. COAST GUARD

DAN BENISHEK FOR CONGRESS

***************************** SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - Pollution investigators and marine inspectors from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan continue to respond to the scene of an oiled beach at Cheboygan State Park in Cheboygan, Michigan.

Contracted cleanup crews are on scene, and affected areas of the beach remained closed to safeguard the public.

As of 1:30 p.m. yesterday, six barrels, totaling about 80 percent of contaminated sand, have been removed from the beach.

Workers have also removed 20-30 bags of oiled debris.

The original area of contaminated beach was estimated to be 25 by 300 yards.

According to pollution investigators, the substance appears to be weathered/ used heavy oil.

A Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrew, flying out of Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Michigan conducted an overflight of the affected area at 9 a.m. and showed no visible sheen or signs of further discharged oil in the water. 

The Coast Guard Cutter Biscayne Bay is enforcing a safety zone in Duncan Bay to protect the public.

There are two vessels in the vicinity, one anchored and one aground.

The cause of the pollution is under investigation.

Coast Guard pollution investigators are taking more samples to further their investigation.

“We are pleased with the progress of the cleanup,” said Capt. Joseph McGuiness, the federal on-scene coordinator and commander of Sector Sault Ste. Marie. “The spill should not have happened in the first place.”

The cleanup is moving smoothly and swiftly due to the multi-agency cooperative effort of National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Cheboygan State Park Service, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency, said McGuinness.

The cause of the spill is under investigation.

***************************** Benishek respoonds to reports of oil spill

Calls Great Lakes “one of America’s greatest treasures”

IRON MOUNTAIN, MI - Dr. Dan Benishek, candidate for Congress in Michigan’s 1st District, responded to reports that there was an oil spill in Cheboygan, Michigan.

Dr. Benishek stated: “I am concerned and upset to hear about any damage done to the Great Lakes, including by oil spills. As a life-long Northern Michigan resident, I know that the Great Lakes are one of America’s greatest national treasures. Every effort must be made to protect them - including a ban on drilling in the Great Lakes, which I support - so they can be enjoyed for generations to come. Polluters should be held fully accountable for the damage they do to our environment.” 

“In the wake of this oil spill, it is unfortunate that Gary McDowell would attempt to use the Great Lakes for politician gain in a television ad. Simply stated, Gary McDowell is not telling the truth to the voters of the 1st District,” campaign spokesman Trent Benishek added.

Dr. Dan Benishek is a surgeon from Iron River, Michigan and the Republican nominee for Congress in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District.

Please visit his website at BenishekforCongress.com

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