(12/P7) WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - NJ TRANSIT and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in cooperation with Emergency Management officials in Gloucester and Camden counties, today continued to make progress on the cleanup of diesel fuel that spilled into area water bodies.

At approximately 9 a.m. yesterday, January 12, a NJ TRANSIT Garage Superintendent discovered diesel fuel seeping to the surface behind Washington Township Bus Garage, located on Route 42 in Turnersville, NJ. It was then determined that diesel fuel levels had dropped in the facility's two 16,000 gallon fuel storage tanks. The preliminary cause of the leak, estimated at approximately 26,000 gallons, is believed to be a failed gasket.

NJ TRANSIT and the DEP continue to investigate the incident.

As of noon today, NJ TRANSIT and the DEP report the following:

• The impacts of the spill have been contained to Lebanon Run, Grenloch Lake and Blackwood Lake. There have been no visible impacts to Big Timber Creek downstream or to the Delaware River. NJ TRANSIT contractor Clean Venture has deployed more than 1,300 feet of containment booms and has deployed six vacuum trucks to remove product from waterways.
• Workers continue to use absorbent materials to remove fuel from shorelines. Three sets of precautionary booms have been established across the creek to protect ecologically sensitive shorelines and wetlands.
• NJ TRANSIT has prepared signs to be posted around affected water bodies, advising people that spill cleanup is in progress. NJ TRANSIT and the DEP strongly advise residents to avoid these water bodies while workers are conducting the cleanup.
• There have been no impacts to municipal water supplies and none are anticipated with private wells in the area.
• Air has been monitored in heavily impacted areas. Although there is an odor of fuel in the area, it does not present a health concern.
• Tri-State Bird Rescue is on scene working with the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife to respond to reports of impacted wildlife. As of this morning, impacts appeared to be minimal. Tri-State requests that if any residents observe impacted wildlife to contact the NJ TRANSIT customer service hotline at (973) 275-5555 daily between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tri-State and the DEP advise residents to not attempt to rescue or treat wildlife on their own but to allow the trained experts to respond.