Larimer County Hazmat, as paged

[jimmnn]

From CSP:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: 08-25-2009 Time: 4:00 p.m.

On August 25, 2009 at approximately 10:30 a.m., Colorado State Troopers responded to a crash on Highway 14 milepost 114 in Larimer County. A purple 1997 Peterbuilt semi-truck and tanker trailer were westbound on Highway 14 before losing control and running off the right side of the road. The Peterbuilt began to roll and went down a steep embankment before stopping partially in the Cache La Poudre River.

The restrained driver has been identified as Kenneth Gale, age 52 from Rawlins, Wyo. Gale sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins.

The tanker was hauling 24 tons of liquid hot asphalt. An unknown quantity spilled into the Cache La Poudre River. A Colorado State Patrol Hazardous Material Unit is on scene to assess the situation and manage the clean-up process.

The crash, subsequent investigation and clean-up have led to a closure of Highway 14.

Detour Fort Collins to Highway 14 milepost 105 via Rist Canyon Road.

The crash remains under investigation. Charges are pending.

Alcohol or drugs are not suspected as contributing factors.

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[jimmnn]

5,000 gal spilled into the river.

9NEWS.com | Colorado's Online News Leader | Authorities: 5,000 gallons of asphalt spilled in river

Jim<

[NorthCOVideo]

Dam thats where I fish at, no that exact spot, but thankfully up river.

[rickak]

And another hot asphalt tanker just rolled into the river and leaking, MM 117. Unbeliveable....

Rick

[jimmnn]

SUBJECT: Another Tanker in Poudre River

DATE: September 3, 2009


Update: 10:18 AM

Highway 14 or Poudre Canyon Highway is closed from Stove Prairie to Ted's Place. However a media staging point has been established one eighth of a mile east of the accident sight.

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Larimer County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that another tanker has gone into the Poudre River near mile marker 117, approximately four miles downstream from the first spill. Highway 14 or Poudre Canyon
Highway is closed at Ted's Place. We have confirmed that asphalt has
spilled into the river, unknown quantity. Preliminary information indicates that the driver was not seriously hurt.




###END####

[NW0U]

The designated driver examiner who administered my CDL road test said that a pretty large part of the truck driver population has the IQ of a moth.

This guy is probably one of them.

[jimmnn]

Update at 1:00 P.M.

Poudre Fire Authority will be holding a press conference at 2:30 P.M.
today in the Poudre Canyon just east of the tanker spill approximately three miles west of Ted's Place.


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Update at 12:44

The tanker that has gone into the Poudre River was working on the same project as the previous tanker but it is a different hauler. It is estimated that it will take eight hours to remove the tanker from the river. The tanker was carrying 6135 gallons of tar and approximately 5000 gallons have dumped into the river. Access to locations such as Poudre Park Ansel Watrous Campground and Mishawaka is allowed from Stove Prairie, upstream from the incident.

The Poudre River itself is closed from mile marker 113 to mile marker 119. It is recommended that any fishing below that point be catch and release only. Based on where the diversions are located, Fort Collins water should be safe. A minor amount of diesel fuel, reportedly to be approximately 25 gallons, has spilled in the river.

[NorthCOVideo]

I have heard that the trucks working on the project carrying the tar are no longer going to be allowed to travel the canyon. It also looks like they are diverting a good portion of the river water before it hits the accident sites, normal flow rates this time of year are from 75-150cfs and was running about 20cfs as of this afternoon.