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North marina of Willard Bay opens more than a year after fuel spill

Posted at 6:35 PM, May 21, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-21 20:35:53-04

WILLARD BAY, Utah -- The fuel spill is cleaned up, the pipe is repaired and the renovation work is complete.

This weekend, Willard Bay's north marina will open to visitors for the first time in more than a year.

It all started in March of last year, when a Chevron pipe leaked more than 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel into a creek near Willard Bay and contaminated the water, soil, plants and wildlife.

Now, after months of cleanup and examination, the Utah Division of Water Quality said the area is safe for the public and animals. In addition to the opening of the north marina, the park will also feature a new nature trail and additional parking spaces that were added as part of the settlement from Chevron.

“There’s no need to worry here, we evaluated this like somebody would actually live in the spill area for 30 years of their life and 350 days a year and it’s safe for that, so for a visitor it’s very safe,”  said Chris Bittner, who is an environmental toxicologist for the Utah Division of Water Quality.

The park will have a grand reopening celebration Saturday. Admission is free all day and there will be booths and entertainment. Click here for more details regarding the event.