Gallons of diesel fuel spilled from generators onto the National Mall and contaminated underground water cisterns after a Freedom 250 event last month.
The commercial generators used for lighting the “Rededicate 250” prayer event on the Mall May 17 were tampered with and the fuel was spilled, according to Freedom 250, the Trump administration-created group in charge of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, NBC News reported.
A Department of the Interior spokesperson told the New York Post “an individual cut a fuel line to a light tower in an attempt to stop the great work being done to celebrate our nation’s 250th. This is unhinged behavior that will not be tolerated. To be crystal clear: We will not be stopped.”
Freedom 250 says multiple vandalism incidents have occurred.
“Following the Freedom 250 team’s installation of temporary lighting on the National Mall, our equipment has been repeatedly targeted by vandals. The recent fuel leak was the direct result of that tampering,” Freedom 250 spokesperson Rachel Reisner said, according to NBC News.
The fuel leached into four cisterns under the Mall that collect rainwater for irrigation. Cleanup efforts by the National Park Service and others are continuing
“We take our responsibility as stewards of the National Mall seriously and are working closely with the appropriate law enforcement authorities regarding these acts of vandalism,” Ms. Reisner said, according to NBC News.
Authorities have not specified how much diesel leaked onto the Mall. Three people familiar with the matter told NBC News that more than 30 gallons spilled, while other sources told the New York Post the figure “appeared to be far lower.”
