DAN SHAPLEY, ENVIRONMENT EDITOR

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Two petroleum spills caught the attention of watchdogs
in the Fishkill Creek watershed last week. Under state
law, petroleum and hazardous chemical spills that
can harm the waters of New York must be reported
by the spiller, and in some cases anyone with knowledge
of the spill. Here's a look at some numbers from
the Department of Environmental Conservation's Spill
Incidents Database.

16,082
Spill reports received by the DEC in 2005. Most are
small spills cleaned up quickly with little fanfare,
while serious spills at underground gasoline tanks
or other sources require the removal of many tons of
contaminated soil, the treatment of polluted
groundwater or other measures.

371
Spills reported in Dutchess and Ulster counties in
2006, through May 16.

364
Reported spills in Dutchess County in 2005, 12 percent
more than the 324.2-spill average over the past 10 years.

254
Reported spills in Ulster County in 2005, 8 percent
more than the 234.8-spill average over 10 years.

2,500
Gallons of gasoline spilled when a delivery tanker
overturned June 10, 2004, in the Town of Wappinger. It
is thought to be the largest on-land spill in county
history.

28,000
Gallons of gasoline spilled into the Hudson River
April 28, 2005, when a barge ruptured near New Hamburg.

Resources

• Anyone can call the New York State Spill Hotline to
  report a spill at 1-800-457-7362.
  
• DEC Spill Incidents Database:
  www.dec.state.ny.us/cfmx/extapps/derfoil/index.cfm?pageid=2