Containment boom was strung in the Tangipahoa River and cleanup efforts carried on into Saturday after multiple reports Friday of an oil sheen, identified as a possible motor oil release, that was visible for several miles along the waterway. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality confirmed that DEQ was notified that afternoon of a release of an unknown amount of motor oil at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland. Company officials confirmed, saying it involved a small quantity of passenger car motor oil. They said ongoing rainfall in the area on Friday added to the problem, as the oil entered the local drainage system. Authorities said the company contracted with Oil Mop Incorporated (OMI) to clean up the release. According to residents along the river, a “rainbow” sheen was visible at points running from the LA 10 bridge southward all the way to the river bridge on LA 40 east of Independence.
As of late Friday, DEQ said there have been no reports of affected fish or wildlife in this case.
