Fish Creek Restoration Complete
FINDLAY, OH -- The mitigation of a 1993 diesel fuel spill in Indiana that affected a Williams County, Ohio stream has finally been concluded.
Fish Creek was severely affected killing off invertebrates, mussels, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds. An oil pipeline burst causing 30,000 gallons of fuel to spill into Fish Creek. The spill was contained before entering the St. Joseph River. The pipeline company agreed to place $2,507,500 into a Court Registry Account to fund the clean up and restoration of the waterway. The Fish Creek Restoration Plan was completed in February 1997. Partners in the restoration were U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Ohio EPA, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
Funds from the settlement have helped more than 1,500 acres of the streams watershed to be protected through land acquisition and restoration. Using money from the fund, the Ohio Division of Wildlife purchased 158 acres on Fish Creek that was developed into the Fish Creek Wildlife Area. The Fish Creek Wildlife Area, consisting of two tracts along the creek, is open to public hunting and fishing. Additionally the Ohio Division of Wildlife holds conservation easements on 20 acres along Fish Creek.