The National Response Center (NRC) was notified at approximately 1400 on February 16th, 2016 by Witt OBrien's, on behalf of Genesis Energy, that a crude oil discharge had occurred in Magee, Mississippi (MS). The crude oil discharged from an eight inch pipeline that was damaged by a fallen tree. The discharge occurred when the river was at flood stage. The initial quantity was unknown. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), conducted an immediate recon and estimated that, at a minimum, 50 barrels of crude oil had discharged into US waters. Specifically, into the Okatoma Creek which is a tributary of the Bouie River. The source is located approximately 1.1 miles from the creek. MDEQ requested support from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday evening at approximately 1930 local time.
The pipeline discharge has been secured. A Unified Command (UC) has been established and is comprised of the Responsible Party (RP), Genesis Energy, an EPA Federal on Scene Coordinator (FOSC), the MDEQ SOSC and the Simpson County EMA director.
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