Activists watch for environmental impact of Key Bridge disaster NBC4 Washington [Video]

Authorities removing twisted wreckage from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge are deploying nearly a mile’s worth of barriers in the water, testing samples for contamination and monitoring the Patapsco River for oil and other hazardous spills as they confront the potential for environmental fallout.

The Unified Command, which includes state agencies and the Coast Guard, said Thursday they have unfurled 2,400 feet of an absorbent containment device, along with another 2,400 feet of barrier to try to prevent the spread of any hazardous materials.

It’s a scenario that environmental experts are watching closely for a number of reasons, including the river’s location in a metropolitan area that plays an important role in commercial shipping, as well as for marine life and migratory birds moving northward at this time of year.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore gave an update on the new cranes and resources being used to help clean up the wreckage of the bridge collapse disaster. News4’s Joseph Olmo got …