Spill That Fouled Newport Bay Cleaned Quickly

United Premix Concrete Inc. of Irvine has moved swiftly to correct problems that caused a sheen of diesel fuel to flow into two tributaries to the Upper Newport Bay wildlife reserve, a county environmental pollution specialist said Wednesday.

Given the company’s quick response and the relatively minor nature of the spill Monday into Peters Canyon Channel and San Diego Creek, Nira J. Yamachika said company officials may escape penalties of up to $2,000 and one year in jail.

“I was very impressed that they moved so expeditiously to take care of a problem which they were not previously aware of,” said Yamachika, who investigates illegal discharges for the county Environmental Management Agency.

“Seeing how the company has responded so positively, I doubt that there will be enforcement action.”

Yamachika said company officials have poured a special concrete apron to collect diesel and petroleum-based residue from a steady stream of trucks entering and leaving the site in a heavily industrial area of north Irvine.

The South Gate concrete firm plans to channel the residue and runoff to a collection sump on site for treatment to remove contaminants, she said.

In addition, company officials have offered to replace special absorbent booms and pads used by the county Fire Department’s hazardous materials team to sop up the estimated five gallons of diesel fuel that escaped into the two waterways.

The investigation is being handled jointly by the state Department of Fish and Game, the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board and the county. Yamachika said a final decision in the case would be made in “two to three weeks.”