Crews clean 65,000-gallon oil spill near Joliet
The Environmental Protection Agency says the Des Plaines River shoreline and embankments in suburban Chicago are being scoured to determine if waterfowl or aquatic life were hurt by a big oil spill.
Authorities say about 65,000 gallons of waste oil overflowed from two holding pits at the Rockdale Caterpillar plant early Sunday after a pump failed. About 6,000 gallons ran into the Des Plaines River and moved about three miles.
EPA spokesman Mick Hans says the riverbank assessment will be comprehensive, but an initial review shows no major environmental damage.
Meanwhile, high-powered vacuum trucks are collecting oil from the ground and booms are keeping it from moving farther downriver. Authorities say the oil is a mixture of hydraulic and cutting oil.
Caterpillar says it immediately reported the spill and hired a cleanup contractor.
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