CHEBOYGAN COUNTY, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU) — State officials are investigating an oil spill in the Pigeon River Country State Forest, where approximately 50 barrels of crude oil and brine were released from a compromised oil flowline owned by Lambda Energy Resources.

The incident was first observed on the evening of April 16, prompting Lambda to immediately cease production and report the situation to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

The spill affects about one acre of land, stretching 150 yards in a north/northwest direction toward a wetlands valley in Afton, located roughly 1.25 miles south of the Black River.

Although the spill occurred in a wetland area, it has not reached any creeks, streams, ditches, or rivers, and poses no immediate threat to water wells or the public.

Contractors have deployed absorbent booms at the site, and vacuum trucks are actively collecting oil and removing contaminated soil.

Remediation efforts will continue until tests confirm the removal of oil and brine.

“It’s going to take some time to restore the area,” said Adam Wygant, director of the Geologic Resources Management Division at EGLE. “The wetland is home to several native plant species that will be reintroduced as part of remediation efforts. This is one of our precious resources in the state.”

The land, owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, is remote and heavily wooded.

Lambda Energy Resources detected the leak during a routine maintenance procedure when they noticed a lack of crude oil returns.

The company immediately shut down the line, which is buried four feet underground, and identified the release point.

The Pigeon River Council, the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5, Cheboygan County Office of Emergency Management, and EGLE are all informed of the ongoing activities. EGLE staff continues to monitor the remediation efforts on site.

The Pigeon River Country State Forest, the largest block of contiguous public land in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, was dedicated by the Natural Resources Commission in December 1973.

Oil production in the forest began in the 1970s, with Lambda taking over operations in 2000.

Additional information on this incident will be updated HERE.