SHELBY – The Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources reports a tanker carrying liquid fertilizer overturned one mile east of the Shelby exit on Interstate 80 Wednesday afternoon, causing an unknown amount of fertilizer to leak into a tributary of Silver Creek. DNR specialists investigated the spill of Ultramate liquid fertilizer, a humic-acid based soil conditioner. They took water samples for laboratory testing and checked for a fish kill. There was no sign of dead fish in the stream Wednesday.

DNR staff will check the stream again this (Thursday) afternoon. The accident occurred when a Fauth Trucking Company tanker/trailer approached stopped traffic along the interstate. The tanker was carrying about 5,500 gallons of fertilizer. The DNR will monitor cleanup activities and consider appropriate enforcement.