Environment Canterbury response to Lyttelton fuel spill – midday, 7 March 2014

· Environment Canterbury is working with multiple agencies and organisations in response to the fuel leak at Lyttelton Port of Christchurch following the storms this week
· Environment Canterbury’s immediate priority and focus is on containing the entry of fuel in to Lyttelton Harbour
· The marine response involves the collection and disposal of fuel around protecting the environment and local wildlife
· The marine oil response team has deployed a boom in the harbour and the stormwater outlet and this is capturing a small amount of fuel
· 1,500 litres of fuel is estimated to have escaped into the sea
· Yesterday (6 March) Environment Canterbury marine response staff conducted two on-water assessments in the harbour
· Small amounts of fuel was observed in several locations – but it is very thin and appears to be dispersing naturally
· Further on-water monitoring will be undertaken throughout the day today
· To date, there has been no recorded impact on wildlife
· All enquiries regarding access and safety should be referred to the New Zealand Fire Service
· Once the marine response is complete Environment Canterbury will review the incident
· There have been no other reports of oil spills from other sources in Lyttelton Harbour received by Environment Canterbury, although there is some comment to this effect

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