Tahoe Keys oil spill investigation expanding

By Kathryn Reed

The investigation into the April 11 oil spill at the Tahoe Keys has expanded beyond that one incident.

“There seems to be a fair amount of things that need to be addressed. I understand there is lot of history in that particular marina that we’ve just been made aware of,” Mitch Goode, wildlife officer with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, told Lake Tahoe News.

While an oil filter has been recovered, it could not have been responsible for the amount of oil that was recovered, according to Goode and Lahontan Water Quality Control Board officials.

CleanHarbor, which was in South Lake Tahoe for multiple days cleaning up the slick, claimed 30 gallons of oil were skimmed off the surface. The oil was found on a back channel near the professional buildings on Venice Drive.

The contaminated water never reached Lake Tahoe. Goode said wildlife was not adversely affected.

His agency will be following up with the individual who reportedly dropped the oil filter into the water. Divers with the state found it. However, Goode said it has nothing to do with the spill.

Cathe Pool with Lahontan said the enforcement team is meeting Thursday to decide how to proceed. That agency’s investigation is ongoing, as they wait to get the results back from water samples. They are also coordinating efforts with Fish and Wildlife to determine how to go after anyone who may have violated any state laws.

Goode said multiple tips have been flowing into his office since the spill was first reported. Many have nothing to do with this incident, but instead involve other issues at the Keys. His agency is going to investigate all of the leads, with the hope that the source of the latest spill is identified and other concerns are resolved.