Oil washes ashore across Cape Region
Early risers walking on the beach in Lewes and Broadkill were greeted Oct. 20 with the distinct smell of oil and globules scattered across the sand.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control learned of an oil spill of an estimated 215 gallons in the area of Broadkill Beach Oct. 19. DNREC officials said the estimate may grow.
“We are focused on cleanup operations and getting the oil off our beaches and out of our coastal communities as quickly as possible,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, who was on scene Oct. 21 surveying affected areas. “Expediency is key. We want to capture as much of the oil as we can before it disperses further and causes more environmental harm.”
DNREC’s Emergency Response Team worked into the evening Oct. 19 to survey impacts and plan for cleanup. By the next morning, the oil had migrated to Lewes and Cape Henlopen State Park. In response to the spill, Lewes Beach was closed to the public Oct. 22.
By Oct. 22, beachgoers reported oil on the beach on the ocean side in North Shores, Henlopen Acres and Rehoboth Beach.
When initially discovered, the spill spanned about three-quarters of a mile, but quickly grew to seven miles the next day. DNREC officials said the tide fragmented the oil from larger pooling to smaller-size speckling on the beaches.
DNREC will provide samples of the oil to the U.S. Coast Guard to be analyzed for a “petroleum fingerprint” that might determine its source.
About two tons of oily sand and debris was removed from the affected areas as of Oct. 20.
Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research is assisting with the cleanup and has responded to reports of 24 oiled seagulls.
The four-wheel-drive surf-fishing crossing at Delaware Bay’s Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve is closed during the cleanup effort.
Many members of the community have offered to help with the cleanup effort, but DNREC officials advise against it.
“We appreciate the support, but caution that the public should not handle the oil,” said Nikki Lavoie, DNREC’s chief of public affairs. “We have trained environmental contractors, DNREC responders and Coast Guard personnel responding to the incident.”
Anyone who comes across oil on the beach is asked to report it by calling DNREC's environmental hotline at 800-662-8802.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and building pages, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
