Fish Kill; Mill Creek, Chelsea, MA

Mill Creek, Chelsea, MA | 2006-Aug-29

Initial Notification: While monitoring a restoration site on the Mill Creek, a NOAA biologist noticed a slight chlorine odor and dead or dying marine biota (small fish, crabs, eels). He contacted his office and the NOAA SSC was contacted. The SSC notified the US Coast Guard (Sector Boston) who sent a team to investigate, requesting the SSC to accompany. USEPA MA DEP and MA Fish and Wildlife were also notified and reported to the scene. USDOI was notified due to shorebirds feeding on the dead fish, but did not response on-scene. The kill included over 100 individuals within the 1/4 mile stretch of the creek investigated. Although state, federal and local officials looked throughout the drainage system for a source, none has been located. MA DEP obtain samples of the water and several marine fauna for later analysis. No further action by the USCG is expected.