The Environmental Protection Agency says a spill of 65,000 gallons (246,000 liters) of waste oil outside Chicago does not appear to have caused major environmental damage.
Authorities say the oil overflowed from two holding pits at the Rockdale Caterpillar plant early Sunday after a pump failed. About 6,000 gallons (23,000 liters) ran into the Des Plaines River and moved about three miles (five kilometers).
High-powered vacuum trucks are collecting oil from the ground and booms are keeping it from moving farther downriver.
EPA spokesman Mick Hans says the shoreline and embankments are being scoured to determine if waterfowl or aquatic life were hurt. He says the assessment will be comprehensive, but an initial review shows no major environmental damage.
