FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brionna Aho, Governor's Communications Director, Brionna.aho@gov.wa.gov, 360-628-3843

Governor Ferguson issues statement on devastating petroleum tanker spill, will visit site soon

OLYMPIA – Governor Bob Ferguson issued the following statement after an accident on Highway 101 near the Elwha River Bridge resulted in a tanker truck overturning and spilling petroleum in Indian Creek:

“This is a devastating accident for Indian Creek and the Elwha River. This spill is nothing short of heartbreaking for local tribes and other Washingtonians who rely on clean, healthy rivers and streams for their food and livelihoods. I am closely monitoring the situation with responding agencies — including its impact on local salmon populations —and will visit the site in the next few days.”

The petroleum tanker truck came to rest upside down in Indian Creek leaking petroleum after the accident Friday on Highway 101 near the Elwha River Bridge just west of Port Angeles. Washington State Patrol the Department of Ecology and the Department of Transportation, in addition to local fire and tribal partners, are responding to the accident. State agencies are also coordinating with the Lower Elwha Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, Port Gamble S’Klallam and Makah tribes, as well as the Olympic National Park, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service and the Department of Fish & Wildlife.

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