If you’re headed down to Flamingo and Florida Bay, in Everglades National Park, this summer, don’t forget to fill up your gas tank before you head for Flamingo in either your car or boat. According to Superintendent Dan Kimball, the park has closed its gas fueling facilities at Flamingo due to a recent fuel spill.
The fuel spill occurred during a scheduled delivery by a fuel distribution company. About half of the 25 gallons spilled was recovered. During the course of removing the fuel-contaminated soil, evidence of previous contamination was discovered. Until the contamination is removed and mitigation measures are in place to prevent future spills, the park has discontinued all fuel deliveries.
Some mitigation measures were already in the works when the spill occurred. “We had already planned on removing three underground storage tanks later this summer and moving above ground tanks to the marina store location, consolidating two fueling facilities into one," said Kimball. “But because of the emergency nature of the spill, we’ve had to move up our timeline." The aboveground tanks will significantly reduce the risk of future soil or water pollution caused by a release from the fuel storage tanks.
The park hopes to begin mitigation and tank removal by June 27, and resume fuel-dispensing operations by Aug. 1, 2008.
Diesel fuel will continue to be available until the current supplies are exhausted.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
