On March 18, 2008, U.S. EPA OSC Jon Gulch responded to an oil spill on Otter Creek (a tributary of Lake Erie), Toledo, OH. At approximately 11:15 EST, U.S. EPA was notified of the spill by Toledo Environmental Services of the spill. The spill is a sheen in the river of unknown source, but likely a pipeline. Unified Command is notifying pipeline owners to begin investigative efforts. Containment boom has been placed by a local refinery association (NOMAD) and the spill is contained, for now. USCG is on-scene and is the lead federal responder due to response area designation. OSC Gulch will remain involved until a source is identified.
Update:
Investigative efforts continued until sunset. Rough estimates indicate that the spill could be in the thousands of gallons. At this point, Unified Command believes that the spill originated from an underground pipeline near Otter Creek. Oil (likely a light cycle oil cut with diesel) is releasing from storm sewers and possibly through nearby railroad ballast. Containment and recovery efforts will continue 24-hours until further notice. Sun Logistics Pipeline is currently taking responsibility for resources on the scene until a source is identified. OSC Gulch will remain involved with this response.
Update:
At 0900 on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 there was an Operational Briefing to discuss the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for the Sunoco-Toledo Refinery oil spill in Toledo/Oregon, Ohio. The briefing included an update of the situation and a walkthrough of the IAP with plans for the next operational period (0800-1800, 3/19/08). Objectives include:
1. Maintain boom and oil recovery operations
2. Finish building road to leak source
3. Excavate line to find leak
4. Inspect line/repair per DOT Requirements
5. Update Agencies
6. Perform initial environmental assessment
New information suggests that the leak potentially occurred on Sunday, March 16 @ 2100 hours when a drop in pressure was noted on a 6" Sunoco pipeline in the area. However, there are at least 5 pipelines in the remote area where the oil was found on the ground surface. If weather conditions permit (1.5 inches of rain has fallen since 1700, March 18), the access road will be finished this morning and the excavation to find the leak source will be started by COB today. Based on the amount of oil on the surface of the ground at the source, Sunoco has estimated the volume of the leak at approximately 200 barrels.
USCG continues as the lead Agency on-site (per the ACP) and has requested that USEPA provide technical assistance. OSC Gulch will remain in contact with USCG and Ohio EPA and will attend the 0900 Operational Briefing on Thursday, March 20, 2008.
Update:
On March 20, 2008, USCG-MSU Toledo requested that U.S. EPA take over as the lead agency.
