The state Department of Ecology, U.S. Coast Guard pollution investigators and the Seattle Police Department Harbor Patrol are responding to reports of a diesel fuel spill in Salmon Bay, an area just south of Ballard in Seattle. The spill was initially observed about 5 a.m. Saturday. State, federal and local authorities have investigators at the site. The cause and volume of the spill are still under investigation, but investigators say there does not appear to any ongoing leak of fuel into the water.
The oil sheen – a very thin coating of oil – is too thin for removal from the water. The fuel spill is most noticeable at Sagstad Marina and Fishermen's Terminal in the Interbay neighborhood.
According to the Ecology Department's report: "Oil spilled to water typically forms oily patches that spread out quickly. These 'oil slicks' can cover many acres of water. All oil spills cause environmental damage, regardless of size. Oil is toxic to the environment and the damage starts as soon as the oil hits water. A single quart of oil has the potential to foul more than 100,000 gallons of water."
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