Coast Guard responds to oil discharge near Norco

The U.S. Coast Guard has responded to a reported 2,600-gallon oil discharge near Norco Monday (April 23).

The Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at about 1 a.m. of a heavy fuel oil discharge from the foreign flagged vessel Iver Exporter near mile marker 126 on the Lower Mississippi River.

The source of the discharge is reported to be secured, according to the Coast Guard.

“We are working with our federal, state and local partners and the responsible party to oversee the clean up of the discharged fuel to reduce the impacts on the environment,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Jim Langford, the federal on-scene coordinator representative at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans.

There are no waterway closures or restrictions due to the incident.

The Coast Guard says the vessel is moored at the Shell Norco Manufacturing Complex.

OMI Environmental Solutions, an oil spill response organization, is on scene and responding to the spill.

At this time, there are no reports of wildlife impacts.

The Coast Guard is conducting an over flight to assess impacted areas.

There are no reports of injuries due to the incident.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.