SAULT STE. MARY, Ontario. (AP) — An oil spill has halted boat traffic on the St. Marys River between Ontario and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday.
The 5,300 gallon (20,063 liter) spill originated from Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, around 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
The 75-mile (121 kilometer) river connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron and forms part of the Michigan-Ontario border.
The Coast Guard has asked all traffic to stay clear of the affected area.
The river is closed to navigation until further notice, he said.
“We are working closely with our Canadian, American and tribal partners to ensure the sanctity of our river,” said Capt. Anthony Jones, commander of Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, in a statement.
Coast Guard pollution responders are monitoring the situation and will coordinate containment with environmental cleanup organizations, MLive.com reported.
Algoma spokeswoman Brenda Stenta said in a statement that “the source of the spill has been safely contained.”
“The Department of Environment, Conservation and Parks, the Spills Action Centre, the Canadian Coast Guard and the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario have been advised. We are currently coordinating with officials, deploying equipment, resources and personnel to mitigate any possible impact on the environment,” Stenta said.
Anyone with information or reports of oil spills or oiled wildlife can contact the Coast Guard by calling (906) 635-3233.
No injuries were reported.
