U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Oats Road Drums

 
Site Contact:
Valeriy Bizyayev
Federal On-Scene Coordinator

(Bizyayev.Valeriy@epa.gov)

Site Location:
318 Oats Road
Box Elder, MT 59521
 response.epa.gov/OatsRoadDrums

Oats Road Drums site located in Box Elder, MT was referred to the EPA removal program by the Chippewa Cree's Environmental Department in July, 2022. The site has multiple drums, totes, and containers in various states of disrepair. The EPA removal team conducted a removal site assessment on the week of August 22, 2022. The assessment triggered the initiation of an emergency response.

The EPA removal assessment team, along with EPA contractors sampled a total of 74 different containers including 5 gallon buckets, 55 gallon drums, and 275 gallon totes. Samples were taken through the HazCat process to identify wastes that can be bulked together. HazCat results indicated the presence of diesel fuels, tar, oily water, pesticides and fertilizers in the containers. Contractors then consolidated wastes together and staged them for removal. Lab samples pulled from the site will determine the disposal route for this response.

Further information will be provided in updates here and in the notice section of this website.


Photo of the site with many drums and containers. Image provided by Chippewa Cree Environmental Department Photo of drums on the site, bulging and low structural integrity are apparent.Image provided by Chippewa Cree Environmental Department Photo of bulging drums in various states of structural integrity. Image provided by Chippewa Cree Environmental Department Photo of a drum that appears to be leaking and without a proper containment lid. Image provided by Chippewa Cree Environmental Department Photo of a drum label on a tipped over weather worn drum. Image provided by Chippewa Cree Environmental Department Photo depicting a tote with a cracked lid and black liquid inside. Photo of a tote labeled ERRS work on relocating containers onto a lined containment area. ERRS work on relocating containers onto a lined containment area. ERRS work on relocating containers onto a lined containment area. Empty drums consolidated in one part of the yard, to then be crushed before disposal. Empty drums consolidated for crushing and future disposal. EPA contractors carefully moving drums for sampling and staging. EPA contractors carefully moving drums for staging and sampling. A view of the container staging and sampling area as the assessment begins. A view of the container staging and sampling area. View of soil contained in drum C011 View of soil contained in drum C034 View of soil contained in drumC033 View of harden tar contained in drum C036 View of soil contained in drum C035 View of empty oil filters located in drum C037 View of soil contained in drum C038 View of soil contained in drum C040 View of soil contained in drum C039 View of product located in tote C073 View of product located in tote C072 View of drum C051 EPA contractors opening drums for sampling. EPA contractors opening drums for sampling. EPA contractors opening drums for sampling. EPA contractors opening drums for sampling. EPA contractors opening drums for sampling. Also visible is a team member conducting air monitoring. ERRS begin opening drums with START monitoring nearby A tar-like substance bubbling out of a newly opened bulging drum. A tar-like substance bubbling out of a newly opened bulging drum. Containers of a tar-like substance without proper lids and the stained soils around them. A view of stained soils. A view of stained soils from leaky containers. The yard after staging drums and scraping the stained soils. Also visible is the stained soils pile on top of a liner. A view of the staged soil pile, covered above and below by a plastic liner to prevent migration. A view of the staged and consolidated containers awaiting disposal and taped off with caution tape. A view of the staged containers awaiting disposal and taped off with caution tape. View of the site as is left after EPA assessment and initiation of removal action.
For additional information, visit the Notices section.