EPA Conducting Oil Spill Training Exercise in Schuylkill River

If anybody happens to see a flurry of activity by emergency crews in the Schuylkill River near Phoenixville Thursday, there should not be any immediate cause for alarm, according to the Phoenixville Office of Emergency Management.

On Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 3 pm., the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and first responders will be conducting training in the Schuylkill River near the Black Rock Boat Dock.

The training involves deploying booms to direct and contain any potential oil spills that might occur. EPA instructors will be assisted by representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Lewis Environmental, HEPACO, and Norfolk Southern Railway.

According to the office, rail lines in Montgomery County transport a significant amount of crude oil, and the exercise is part of a three day training session to plan for any potential spills.

There is a sign placed at the entrance to the dock to let commuters know this is only a training exercise.