US-41 now open to traffic following fuel spill remediation; WUPHD updates health advisory for Portage Canal areas

US-41 at Santori's Corner in Hancock is now open to traffic following remediation of the fuel spill from a tanker that tipped over here on Thursday, June 24. (Photo courtesy City of Hancock and Copper Country Strong Facebook pages)

HANCOCK -- The Houghton County Office of Emergency Measures reported today, Saturday, June 26, that Highway 41 in Hancock is now open to all traffic. Drivers should be cautious of construction and work vehicles in the area where the spill occurred. Ethel Avenue remains closed at the end near US-41 while crews continue to flush the storm sewer.

White Street has returned to one-way traffic going uphill from downtown Hancock to US-41. 

In response to the gasoline spill there has been absorbent boom material around the outlet of the storm sewer line into the Portage Canal. Petroleum from within that boom area has been, and continues to be, safely removed for proper disposal.

The gasoline sheen on the water has been monitored from the shoreline, from air via drone and plane, and from water via boat since noon on Thursday. Air monitoring has been conducted along the shorelines of the canal. The ongoing monitoring of the sheen -- size and location -- has shown that the sheen has been naturally dissipating, especially east of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.

This photo, upper left, shows the approximate location of the boom at the outfall into the canal and delineation of the sheen moving toward the Portage Lift Bridge on Thursday. (Drone image courtesy Superior Search and Rescue)

The recommendation of both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) is to continue to monitor the gasoline sheen as the sunlight continues to aid in its evaporation. That is expected to continue into next week, depending on the weather. Mechanical methods of surface recovery used with heavier oils are not effective with the gasoline sheen. Chemical methods of removing the gasoline are not allowed on the Great Lakes.

The EPA has been overseeing and conducting air monitoring in the community. All levels in the community are safe. The only areas where gasoline compounds continue to be found are the storm drains and work areas.

Health Department updates advisory

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD), working in conjunction with the EPA, EGLE, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), has updated the public health advisory for the Portage Canal following the recent fuel spill in Hancock. The Portage Canal may reopen for recreational boating, fishing, and body contact swimming as long as the public avoids any areas with visible fuel sheen.

Sheen can be described as a rainbow-like discoloration on the surface of the water. Sheen location may quickly change along with shifts in wind and weather.

Recreational use is not recommended for the following areas due to the current visible presence of fuel sheen (as of Friday, June 25):

Hancock Waterfront -- Between the release site (below the Jutila Center) east to Mill Street and from the lift bridge east to the National Historical Park smelter site.

Houghton Waterfront -- Directly across from the release site (below the Jutila Center) extending all the way east to Lake Street (near Super 8). This includes the Kestner Waterfront Park Beach area.

WUPHD advises that direct exposure of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract to fuel sheen can cause tissue injury and irritation; therefore, the public, including pets, should avoid swimming and recreation in these areas. All other areas on the Portage Canal may reopen to body contact as long as no visible fuel sheen is present. Updates will be issued as additional information becomes available.