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OPA - Onion Creek

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Region 7, Onion Creek Oil Discharge Update #1 HAMILTON, KS, NRC#1390878 2/8/2024 Site Update
Report Date: 2/07/2024
Last edited 2/07/2024 6:01 PM UTC

Overview: On February 5, EPA Region 7 was notified by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) that a tank battery in rural Greenwood County, Kansas had been discharging an unknown amount of crude oil for an unknown period of time. The oil reportedly discharged outside of the tank battery’s secondary containment, migrated overland and discharged into nearby Onion Creek, a perineal stream. KDHE indicated that pockets of oil had been observed up to one mile from the point-of-entry along Onion Creek.

On February 6, EPA identified that the spill originated from an oil water separator at the tank battery with an estimated maximum volume of 210 barrels (8,820 gallons) of crude oil and brine water. The oil spill has impacted an area from the tank battery to Onion Creek, with pockets of stained vegetation and recoverable oil existing for a stretch approximately 4 miles downstream.

State, Local and other Federal Agency Actions and Roles: The local Greenwood County Sherriff, Greenwood County Emergency Management and KDHE performed initial assessments of the oil discharge. KDHE and the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) are actively searching for a Responsible Party (RP). Based on the magnitude of the spill and absence of a viable RP, KDHE requested assistance from EPA Region 7.  

KDHE has collected several water samples along Onion Creek to compare to with water quality standards. KDHE, KCC, the RP and local stakeholders continue coordination with Region 7.

EPA Actions and Roles: On the morning of February 6, EPA Region 7 mobilized a Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) to assess the spill. The spill is located in the inland zone, and EPA Region 7 will serve as the lead FOSC. A responsible party has not yet been identified. Region 7 will continue coordination with KDHE, KCC and local stakeholders.

The Responsible Party has been identified as K.E. Snyder Co., LLC. The lease owner has not demonstrated an ability to respond adequately to the discharge. The FOSC is continuing to coordinate with the RP to ensure a quick and effective removal is performed. On February 7, EPA mobilized EPA R7's Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor to begin addressing the oil discharge to Onion Creek.

An EJScreen has been run for the incident showing approximately 14 individuals living in a 2-mile radius from the spill area. The data does indicate one exceedance of 80 percentile in Environmental Justice Indexes.

Media Interest: None
EOC Spot Report: Region 7, Onion Creek Oil Discharge 2/6/2024 Site Update

HAMILTON, KS, NRC#1390878
US Environmental Protection Agency
Report Date: 2/06/2024
Last edited 2/06/2024 3:15 PM UTC

Overview: On February 5, EPA Region 7 was notified by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) that a tank battery in rural Greenwood County, Kansas had been discharging an unknown amount of crude oil for an unknown period of time. The oil reportedly discharged outside of the tank battery’s secondary containment, migrated overland and discharged into nearby Onion Creek, a perennial stream. KDHE indicated that pockets of oil had been observed up to one mile from the point-of-entry along Onion Creek.

State, Local and other Federal Agency Actions and Roles: The local Greenwood County Sherriff, Greenwood County Emergency Management and KDHE performed initial assessments of the oil discharge. KDHE and the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) are actively searching for a responsible party. Based on the magnitude of the spill and absence of a viable responsible party, KDHE requested assistance from EPA Region 7.

EPA Actions and Roles: On the morning of February 6, EPA Region 7 mobilized a Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) to assess the spill.

The spill is located in the inland zone, and EPA Region 7 will serve as the lead FOSC. A responsible party has not yet been identified. Region 7 will continue coordination with KDHE, KCC and local stakeholders. An EJScreen will be conducted for the area surrounding the spill to guide response and community relations.

Media Interest: None