Morris County oil spill

LONE STAR — Local and state officials are continuing to investigate an oil spill that spread across much of the shoreline at Ellison Creek Reservoir, with inspectors identifying the source at a well site on U.S. Steel property. According to our news partner KETK, Morris County Judge Doug Reeder met with the Precinct 2 Commissioner and the County Attorney on Monday morning to review the status of the oil spill at Ellison Creek Reservoir.

Reeder also added, a Railroad Commission inspector is on site and continuing an inspection of the spill in coordination with a Texas Game Warden. The inspector determined the source of the unauthorized oil release was a reserve pit at a oil well site located on U.S. Steel property. Investigators with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are expected to meet with the Railroad Commission inspector Monday to continue assessing the scale of the spill, its environmental impacts and any possible next steps.

Reeder said the oil has affected nearly every part of the lake’s shoreline, though the full extent of the migration of the oil and any environmental damage is still under investigation. Officials first responded to the spill on Friday night at the reservoir in Lone Star. Reeder previously said the oil well company involved had been identified and that there was no ongoing leak as of Saturday morning.

Residents who notice affected shorelines or have information about the spill are asked to contact the Morris County Sheriff’s Office at 903-645-2232.