New Information in Croton River "Oil Slick" Investigation

More information is coming to light regarding what people say looked like an oil spill in the Croton River near Van Cortlandt Manor on October 2. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has started an investigation into the sighting after Westchester County officials turned the matter over to them. DEC officials say that their Spills Division traveled to Croton to check out the report.

"We did get a call from the county. One of our spills engineers did go down there to check it out," said DEC Spokeswoman Wendy Rosenbach. "He did see some discoloration in the water in that area. He determined that it wasn't related to any petroleum products. So it didn't appear to be an oil spill."

Now that officials know that it was not an oil spill, they're trying to pinpoint exactly what is was.

"It was right after a heavy rain event. They did see some discoloration in the water, but no odors. There wasn't a sheen," said Rosenbach.

DEC officials say their Spills Division has done everything that it can in the investigation. They are now turning the matter over to the DEC's Water Division.

The investigation started when Croton-on-Hudson Police got a call about what appeared to be an oil slick in the river last week. The person calling about the slick said it was seen near Van Cortlandt Manor.

The Croton Police Department headed to that location shortly after receiving the call on the morning of the 2nd. When they got there, authorities say they saw what appeared to be some type of oil or chemical spill.

"After confirming that there was reason to believe that there was some kind of spill, the Coast Guard… was notified," said Croton-on-Hudson Detective Sergeant John Nikitopoulos. "They in turn wanted the county boat to respond—which they did. The DEC was also notified."

Croton Police say the slick appeared to be coming from the Hudson River and going up the Croton River.

Patch will bring you the latest information, as it become available, from the DEC's Water Department's investigation into the matter.