The swirling black oil and the overpowering smell of asphalt began appearing behind Scott Silva's house on the lower Tangipahoa River the night of Aug. 25, three days after Smitty's Supply Inc. exploded and began burning for days .

Blobs of black oil collecting in the river's curve by his home have been a near daily occurrence since then. Contaminants from the burning motor oil and lubricants plant have flowed down nearly the length of the river and past part of the sensitive Joyce Wildlife Management Area, despite miles of containment and absorbent boom.

Silva said he and his wife bought the home in the relatively out of the way spot east of Ponchatoula 21 years ago to enjoy the water and nature, but the contaminants that have followed Smitty's explosion have clouded that vision of li

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