MARSHALL, Mich., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- There are pockets of land in southern Michigan that show previously unknown pockets of oil left over from a July 2010 pipeline rupture, an investigation found.
Line 6B of the Lakehead oil pipeline ruptured near Marshall, Mich., last July, spilling heavy crude oil from Alberta tar sands into the Talmadge Creek and Kalamazoo River. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it estimated more than 27,000 barrels of so-called heavy oil has been recovered so far from regional waters.
Enbridge disputes those figures.
The EPA discovered roughly 200 acres of land around the Kalamazoo River that display signs of oil contamination, regional broadcaster WOOD TV 8 has learned. That contamination was previously unknown, the report adds.
Enbridge spokesman Jason Manshum told the broadcaster early this week crews have recovered "the majority" of the oil left over from the July 2010 spill. "There are only remnants" left over, he said.
The company this week said it was suspending remediation efforts in the river because of the onset of winter.
Enbridge missed several EPA deadlines for cleanup operations. Officials said it was unclear how the remaining oil would affect the environment because there is no spill with which to compare the Enbridge leak.
The company said recently it had enough interest to build two more pipelines that would carry Alberta crude in the United States.
