Photo Release

Coast Guard members along with members of Miller Environmental Group do a shore-side assessment of Tony Tank Creek in Salisbury, Md., Thursday, March 12, 2009. The Coast Guard and Miller Environmental are also working with local Salisbury authorities to locate and recover red dye diesel that leaked into the creek from Salisbury University Wednesday night. (Coast Guard photo/ Petty Officer 3rd Class Ayla Kelley.)

SALISBURY, Md.- A unified command is continuing clean up and recovery efforts to a pollution spill in Tony Tank Creek in Salisbury Thursday.

Salisbury University reported a mechanical failure in their generator system causing a loss of approximately 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel from a fuel tank.

Between 500 and 600 gallons of diesel fuel have been recovered from the creek since last night.

More than 1,000 feet of containment boom has been placed between the Camden Avenue Bridge and the Riverside Drive Bridge to contain the spill.

"This operation is a fine example of our partnership among federal, state and local agencies along with the private sector," said Cmdr. Austin Gould, the acting sector commander of Coast Guard Sector Baltimore. "Together, we're working to eliminate an environmental threat to the Chesapeake Bay."

“The university appreciates these agencies’ support and leadership that have minimized the impact of this spill on the university, the community and our shared watershed,” said Dr. Tom Jones, provost at Salisbury University.

Wicomico County Emergency Management responded to a report of a strong fuel odor near Tony Tank Creek Wednesday night.

Wicomico County Emergency Management contacted the National Response Center reporting diesel fuel in the water about 8:42 p.m. Wednesday.  NRC notified Coast Guard Sector Baltimore personnel of the spill.  Investigators from Sector Baltimore arrived on scene about 12:50 a.m. Thursday.  The Coast Guard confirmed Salisbury University as the source of the spill and had the spill secured by 1:15 a.m.  The diesel fuel is believed to have leaked from a fuel tank on the roof of the Henson Science Hall on campus.

A unified command has been established with the Coast Guard and representatives from Salisbury University, Maryland Department of the Environment, Salisbury City Fire Department and Wicomico County Emergency Management.

To report further fuel sheen or wildlife affected by the spill, contact the Coast Guard Command Center at (410) 576-2525.