Comondú, Baja California — Federal environmental officials have responded to a used oil spill at an airstrip. Personnel found hazardous waste had been spilled near a mangrove in Puerto San Carlos, but not reported.
The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) responded to a used oil spill located at a site known as the former airstrip in Puerto San Carlos, Baja California.
The incident was reported by the Department of Ecology and Environment of the Comondú City Council on November 3.
Profepa inspectors confirmed the dumping of hazardous waste in three areas, with a total surface area of approximately 1,500 m². The material had dense characteristics, a dark color, and an asphalt odor, which allowed it to be identified as a mixture of used oil and fuel oil.
The spill was located approximately 200 meters from the coast in an area of mangrove vegetation, an ecosystem of high environmental importance. No immediate action was taken at the site to contain the waste, nor were the competent authorities notified in a timely manner.
Profepa said that lack of notification constituted a violation of the General Law for the Prevention and Comprehensive Management of Waste. As a result of the intervention, containment and control measures were implemented.
Currently, cleanup efforts are underway using specialized machinery and personnel. These efforts include the removal of contaminated material, its temporary storage and final disposal in accordance with applicable regulations.
Profepa maintains direct supervision of the cleaning operations to ensure that all stages of the process —collection, transport and final disposal— are carried out in accordance with current environmental legislation.
These remediation efforts are being carried out in collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office (FGR).
