Saturday, July 17--Law enforcement officers and firefighters responded to a hazardous materials incident at the Mariposa Art Park during a performance of Mariposa Evenings Friday night.

Allegedly, David W. Biggins, who was arrested at the park, spilled Mercury on several surfaces at the Art Park, sparking a haz-mat response by firefighters and deputies.

Saturday morning, the park was still draped in law enforcement tape.

The following was released by the Mariposa County Sheriff's Department at 10 a.m. Saturday (July 17, 2010) morning:

On 7-16-10 at approx. 6:46 p.m. sheriff’s department and CAL FIRE personnel responded to the Mariposa Art Park regarding a possible hazardous material incident. Responding units determined that Mariposa resident David Biggins had spilled approximately 4 to 8 ounces of liquid mercury along the Mariposa Creek Walkway leading from the Best Western to the Pizza Factory parking lot.  Due to public health concerns, portions of the walkway were immediately cordoned off to stop the flow of foot traffic through the area. Mariposa County Health Officer Charles Mosher was contacted and it was determine that an evacuation of the area would not be needed

          Mariposa County Environmental Health Officer Dave Conway, and California State Fish and Game Warden Frank Milazzo responded to the scene to further assess the extent and severity of the spill. Upon inspection of the scene, Warden Milazzo was able determine that some Mercury had in fact spilled into the Mariposa Creek. 

        California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were contacted and made aware of the incident. Personnel from the EPA stated that the Mercury should naturally dissipate at or above temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but it was decided that EPA personnel would respond to the area on July 17 to conduct further testing within the spill site.

    During an interview Biggins told deputies that he had obtained the Mercury from a friend and had intended on using it for “prospecting” purposes.  Biggins was arrested for Violation California Fish & Game Code section 5650 FG (Polluting a waterway) and later released on a written promise to appear.