Salisbury University & Tony Tank Fuel Spill Update

From: Richard Culver, Media Relations Director

Cleanup of diesel fuel from the Henson Science Hall leak continued throughout the weekend. The vast majority of the oil was confined to a campus sediment holding tank and the University’s storm water drainage pipes and has been retrieved. Miller Environmental Group, hired for the cleanup, said 95-98 percent of the oil was captured within the first 72 hours. Such figures are considered remarkable, those knowledgeable of oil cleanup said. A field manager with the Maryland Department of the Environment at the site added he was very pleased with the progress. On Sunday cleanup moved from the emergency to maintenance phase, which continues as a precaution.

Salisbury University would like to thank all those involved in the cleanup effort which began as a united initiative in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Maryland Department of the Environment, Miller Environmental Group, Wicomico Emergency Management and the Salisbury Fire Department, with assistance from the Wicomico Health Department.

Salisbury University would like to offer a particular thanks to the residents of the Tony Tank neighborhood and the Tony Tank Neighborhood Association who have been both welcoming and patient throughout the cleanup.