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DEC investigating oil spill in Cayuga Creek

Submitted Art / Buffalo Niagara River Keeper, Joe Gould
Submitted Art / Buffalo Niagara River Keeper, Joe Gould

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating the source of an oil spill in Niagara Falls.An estimated 500 gallons of waste oil was dumped into Cayuga Creek through a storm pipe near the intersection of Niagara Falls Boulevard and Tuscarora Road. The Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper reported the incident to the DEC on Monday.

Riverkeepers' Jill Jedlicka says illegal dumping is a common concern.

"Illegal dumping happens more often than we like, both in Western New York and around the country," she said. "Usually, you'll see a couple of gallons or somebody's four liters when they did their oil change. The estimates right now are 500 gallons of waste oil and that's a significant amount to be dumping down a storm drain."

The DEC says clean up could take from one to two weeks. No “long-term” water quality issues are expected, according to the agency.

DEC representative Kristen Davidson reminds residents to call the agency's spill hotline if they witness a spill.

"It can be  used for any type of spill," she said. "Whether people think it has an environmental impact or not."

The number to call is 1-800-457-7362.

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