NORWALK — A Norwalk man has been arrested after causing a diesel fuel spill in the Manresa Island area, police said Wednesday.
Stanley Sikorski, 79, was charged with multiple environmental violations following an incident on Oct. 11, when authorities were alerted to a fuel spill at around 3:50 p.m.
The Norwalk Marine Unit Officers and Norwalk Fire Marine Unit, upon responding to the scene, observed a sheen on the water’s surface, indicative of diesel fuel contamination.
The sheen was also detected near the South Norwalk Boat Club.
Upon investigation, officers traced the spill back to Sikorski, who was found cleaning his boat.
Sikorski admitted to accidentally pumping 152 gallons of diesel into his onboard sanitation tank instead of the fuel tank.
After realizing his error, he corrected the mistake but then intentionally discharged the fuel mixed with waste from the Marine Sanitation Device tank into the water.
Following the spill, the United States Coast Guard Pollution Response Team, National Response Center, and Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Emergency Response & Spill Prevention Division were notified.
The Norwalk Police Department has issued a reminder to the boating community about the severe environmental impacts of such incidents, urging boaters to be cautious and prevent pollution in local waterways.
Sikorski, who resides at 3 Old Mill Court, faces charges including Discharging Sewage in a No Discharge Zone, Misuse of a Marine Sanitation Device, and Littering in the Water.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 22.
The Norwalk Police Department has provided a tip line at 203-854-3111 for anyone with information on environmental violations.
