Long Painting, of Kent, has been fined $1,600 by the Washington State Department of Ecology in connection to an April 29 diesel fuel spill that originated in Federal Way’s Dash Point State Park and flowed into Thames Creek and the Puget Sound.

The painting company was working on a Washington State Department of Transportation project near the park and was storing a 290-gallon fuel tank at the park. Due to vandalism to a pump on the tank, it malfunctioned, leaking approximately 263 gallons of diesel fuel. The fuel flowed across the park’s parking lot and into nearby Thames Creek. Approximately 80 gallons was carried from the creek into the Puget Sound, creating a one-half mile by one-half mile oil coating on the water.

Long Painting cooperated in the clean-up efforts. Those efforts included removal and replacement of 250 tons of potentially contaminated soil, asphalt and other infrastructure. The company also restored natural vegetation along the creek.

Long Painting may appeal the penalty to the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board. Spill penalties go to fund grants for environmental restoration projects within the state.