At approximately 4 p.m. on Feb. 5, 2024, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) notified the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 of an oil sheen on Onion Creek - near the intersection of Highway 99 and West Road - just north of Hamilton, Kansas (KS). It was reported that Greenwood County Emergency Management observed oil on the banks and a persistent sheen on the water in Onion Creek. KDHE contacted the EPA Region 7 spill line to request assistance with the reported discharge.
On Feb. 6, 2024, a Region 7 On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) deployed to the incident location. This incident occurred within EPA Region 7 jurisdiction; EPA assumed the response lea; and opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF). The initial assessment determined that oil had impacted an area from the tank battery to Onion Creek, with pockets of stained vegetation and recoverable oil documented from the point of discharge to the West Road bridge approximately three miles downstream. The Responsible Party was issued a Notice of Federal Interest (NOFI), but reported that they were unable to initiate a response action to contain or mitigate the discharge.
EPA Region 7 issued a Notice of Federal Assumption (NOFA) on Feb. 7 and initiated appropriated response (cleanup) actions, which were completed on Mar. 3, 2024.
