by Ali Freedlund
May 10, 2001

Most places in the Mattole are far from cleanup crews who can deal with the containment of diesel spills as well as the ongoing monitoring of cleanup and removal. In the event of a spill it is important to give your local volunteer fire department a call — they are committed to first response and can often get there before anyone else can.

Unfortunately, the Mattole and Whitethorn stations of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) are not open during the winter period. They do have a spill response kit should the accident happen in the summer months.

For Motor Vehicle Accidents: If it involves creeks or the river, the Department of Fish and Game will respond. If it involves county or state roads, the Sheriff or CHP will respond to safeguard the roadway, but will call the County Department of Environmental Health to deal with any hazardous materials. The County will not respond to accidents involving less than 15 gallons of hazardous materials. The Sheriff’s Department and CHP will not respond to minor no-injury accidents on private roads.


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Table of Contents for Mattole Restoration Newsletter, Issue 16 - Spring/Sumer 2001