Recovery efforts continue for Arthur Kill oil spill

Recovery efforts continue for Arthur Kill oil spill    In the aftermath of a spill of 31,000 gallons of crude oil Feb. 13 in the Arthur Kill, a prime shipping channel in New York harbor, crews have recovered 96,000 gallons of oil-water mixture and 145,620 pounds of oil absorbents and other contaminated solids, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement.
   The spill occurred at a Chevron Products refinery as oil was being lightered from a barge. “The cause of the spill remains under investigation. Chevron is cooperating with regulatory agencies to determine the cause,” the Coast Guard said.
   Heavy machinery is excavating contaminated soil at the Chevron spill site. Other nearby areas receiving attention from cleanup crews include Mill Creek, the Tottenville and Port Atlantic marinas, and the shoreline north of the Outer Bridge Crossing.
   The Coast Guard said 440 personnel are working on site to contain and clean up the spill, using seven oil skimming vessels and 40 work boats.
   Marine and avian casualties thus far include a deceased porpoise, one oiled Canadian goose, and two deceased herring gulls.