Oil-like Substance in the Muskingum River

 The Muskingum County Emergency Management Agency reported a significant amount of an oil-like substance in the Muskingum river Sunday evening.

The substance has been found as far north as Tuscarawas and goes through Coshocton and Muckingum Counties and ends near the lock and dam area in Zanesville. The source is still unknown, but tests are being done all along the river to find out what it is. The EMA Director of Muskingum County, Bo Keck, said that the levels are much heavier near the concrete plant near Coshocton. Keck does not have reason to believe that anyone near the river is in any danger.

"At this point we don’t see any concern," Keck said. "It’s obviously around boat docks and boats and things like that. But it doesn’t appear to be flammable or anything to really worry about right now. If it would change or we would find something different up around Dresden or Coshocton we would definitely let people know right away."

Hazmat crews made riverside park in Zanesville the staging area because it gets them down river from the densest area.

"It appears to be an oil substance, but when you get down to it it’s not greasy like an oil substance," Keck said. "We’re just not sure. We’re so far downstream it could very well be diluted some at this point."

The Ohio state EPA is on the way, and Keck said because of the volume in the water the United States EPA has also been notified.

Keck added that, so far, there has been no negative affect on the wildlife near Riverside Park but crews will be back on the river Monday to monitor the situation.