On March 18, 2013, at 2045 MDT Chevron Pipeline notified the NRC that they had a break in an 8" transmission line near Box Elder, Utah. The report indicated that a "significant" amount of diesel fuel had been discharged into a ditch that runs adjacent, and then into Willard Bay Reservoir, which borders on the Great Salt Lake. The pipeline break is located roughly 1/4 mile to the east of the reservoir shore. An exact quantity has not yet been determined, though Chevron Pipeline officials estimate that 600-650 barrels of diesel were released. The pipeline was shut down within 4 minutes of an alarm activating. OSC Curtis Kimbel, PIO Mathew Allen and two START contractors were deployed.
Chevron Pipeline took immediate action to secure the pipeline and shortly thereafter initiated countermeasures. Most of the diesel fuel was trapped behind a series of check dams and booms placed throughout the ditch. Containment boom was placed along the shoreline of Willard Bay Reservoir to keep the diesel from entering the reservoir.
Vac trucks began removing diesel on the evening of March 18, 2013, and countermeasures continue.
A Unified Command with EPA, State of Utah and Chevron was established on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.
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