Northstar Asphalt cleaning up diesel fuel spill in Nimishillen Creek

Apr 20, 2024

NORTH CANTON – Diesel fuel that spilled into the Nimishillen Creek on Wednesday came from a construction project at Hower Street NE and Wise Avenue, according to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Agency spokesman James Lee said a Northstar Asphalt truck drove over a metal plate at the intersection.

"The metal plate hit the truck’s fuel line, causing less than 50 gallons of diesel fuel to spill at the intersection," he wrote in an email. "Diesel fuel flowed into the storm sewer and drained into Nimishillen Creek. The spill did not contaminate any drinking water in the area."

He said the Canton Fire Department and a Northstar Asphalt environmental contractor each installed booms in the stream to contain the spill.

Northstar Asphalt has hired a separate contractor to clean out the storm sewer line Thursday, Lee wrote. "There are no significant odors in the area today and there has been no signs of damage to wildlife."

The Ohio EPA will issue a violation notice to Northstar for the spill and the company, based in Jackson Township, will be billed for the state’s costs associated with the cleanup, according to Lee.

The spill occurred at a $1.5 million Wise Avenue streetscape project to create a walking district downtown, according to Patrick DeOrio, city administrator. He said the project includes rebuilding the street, curbs, gutters and sidewalks.

North Canton Fire Department fire investigator John Kleinbeck reported that authorities received a call around 7 p.m. Wednesday from the 1600 block of Ambler Avenue SW about the smell of gas and an unknown substance floating on the creek. Crews arrived to the smell of fuel and saw a large amount of an oily substance floating.

As they tried to find the source, the Stark County hazmat team, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Canton Fire Department were notified.

The hazmat team placed booms downstream to contain and collect the fuel.

"For the next day or two, residents may detect a slight smell of diesel fuel along the Nimishillen Creek in North Canton and Canton that will dissipate over time," Kleinbeck said in a prepared statement.

City Engineer Robert Graham, operations manager of streets and sewer Matt Morrow and a representative of the Ohio EPA are working with Northstar representatives to clean affected areas, Kleinbeck said.

The location where the diesel was noticed is about two miles south of the suspected point of origin.

The Wise Avenue project started about six weeks ago and was to be finished before Friday, according to DeOrio. He said completion, delayed by wet weather, is expected by next weekend.

Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or [email protected].

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This story will be updated.