United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

A tanker truck carrying 50% solution sodium hydroxide overturned on SR 156 in Ranger, GA.  Approximately 2,600  gallons of the material entered a tributary of Lick Creek.  Gordon County EMA and local Fire/HAZMAT teams were first responders to the scene. The trucking company involved in the incident contracted with an environmental cleanup company to mitigate the release to the creek.

Georgia Environmental Protection Division mobilized to the scene and providing oversight of cleanup activities. FOSC Sims and START were deployed to the Site to assist.

Activities conducted during this reporting period (2/16-17/2009):

24 hour response operations continue at the Site. To date, 158 tanker trucks (averaging 5,500 gallons each) containing elevated pH creek water have been transported offsite to the Aqua Treatment facility, Chatanooga, TN for final disposition.  

The total elevated-pH water recovered to date is estimated at 1.5 million gallons.

UC is expected to continue under a 24 hour operational period untill recovery operations are complete. Current representatives integrated into the UC include Gordon County Fire and Hazard Materials Department (GCFD), Gordon County Emergency Management Agency (GCEMA), Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GEPD), Georgia Department of Natural resources (GDNR) and Georgia Department of Safety and Transportation (GDOT).  

On 2/17/09, at 1800 hrs, after confirming PRP-lead operations were sufficient to mitigate the threat posed by the contaminate, the OSC demobilized all START and EPA resources from the Site. Prior to demobilizing, the FOSC issued a Notice of Federal Interest to the PRP. GEPD will continue as lead oversight of all remaining response-related activities.

Pump and haul operations are expected to continue through the end of the week. The goal is to continue operations until the creek water is below 9 pH, or better.

No further action planned by ERRB.

The PRP has taken responsibility for the incident and engaged the necessary resources to mitigate the spill.

GEPD will continue to provide oversight of all PRP-related cleanup activities.