Local, state, and federal officials are responding to the Black River in Lorain following a reported oil spill Tuesday.
Authorities say roughly 20 gallons of "mixed petroleum products" (including hydraulic and waste oils) were released into the water. The Nature Response Center told the Coast Guard a sump pump at Republic Steel failed and sent the oil into a creek connected to the river.
Republic Steel has hired a contractor to begin clean-up operations, and the Coast Guard is working with both the Ohio and U.S. EPA to ensure safe removal of the oil.
