Investigators are trying to determine the source of a tarlike substance found on a beach in the north arm of the Great Salt Lake.
Several dead pelicans were found in the area last fall, when the tar first was reported. Wildlife experts have not been able to determine the cause of death, but they doubt it was linked to the tar.The tar is on state land near Rozel Point, about 15 miles south of the Golden Spike National Historic Site. Several natural oil seeps are in this area, along with numerous oil wells that are no longer active.
Representatives from several state agencies have visited the site to examine the beaches, and an emergency-response team from the Environmental Protection Agency has been notified. They have found few answers.
"We can't say whether the wells are, or were, a significant contributor to the problem," said Kathleen Clarke, deputy director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources.
State oil-well inspectors found no evidence of leaks during a recent inspection, but it may have been too cold for the tar to flow.
There's also a question whether this is a new problem or the remains of old leaks recently exposed as the level of the Great Salt Lake dropped.
If the studies show the tar is the result of natural seeps rather than leaks, Clarke questioned whether the state would want to spend any money on a cleanup.
Kenneth Pixley, owner of one of the state leases in this area, said three of the 12 abandoned wells on his property have leaked during the past three years, and he suspects there are numerous other leaking wells in the area. Although he is not responsible for wells drilled before he acquired the land, Pixley said he repaired his three leakers.