5,000-gal. liquid N spill kills thousands of fish

Amboy, Ind.-The state division of fish and wildlife is still assessing the damage from the release of 5,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen late last month into a north-central Indiana creek, killing thousands of fish and touching off an intensive cleanup effort. The spill occurred when the 25,000 gallon tank, containing 20 percent liquid N, sprung a leak at McGrawsville Feed & Grain. Investigators from the Dept. of Environmental Management said the liquid fertilizer overflowed the secondary containment, crossed a parking lot, and flowed into a field before reaching Niger Creek. An estimated 9,300 fish, mostly suckers and shiner minnows, died in a 1.6-mile stretch of the creek about 15 miles north of Kokomo in Miami County, according to IDEM spokesman Rob Elstro. He said an environmental contractor was brought in to dam the creek, vacuum the water, and spread the diluted nitrogen onto adjacent farm fields. Crews were also working to flush the field tile to remove any remaining fertilizer. There was no word from state officials about charges or fines. Personnel at McGrawsville were reluctant to talk about the incident, but one in the office told Green Markets that the tank was beyond repair and taken out of service.