SMACKOVER — Members of a coordinated response team were able to release just over a dozen turtles, frogs and other reptiles recovered from the recent oil spill near Smackover into the Ouachita River yesterday. The animals were cleaned and monitored by professional oil recovery contractors before release.
The spill, which affected portions of Holmes Creek and Smackover Creek, occurred June 15, was caused by a leaking manifold from the Martin Operating Partners facility, releasing an estimated 2,500 barrels of crude oil.
Cleanup efforts are ongoing, and the general public is encouraged to enjoy the nearby Ouachita River for boating, angling and other recreation. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, no evidence indicates a potential risk to public health from chemicals that may be in the air from the incident. Volatile organic compounds may be present and have an associated odor, but that odor does not indicate a level of risk from inhalation.
Anglers and boaters should also be aware that the entrance to Smackover Creek from the Ouachita River is blocked with a containment boom and no access to Smackover Creek is allowed for the general public’s safety.