United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region V
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

Mid Valley Pipeline reported a crude oil release (NRC# 897885) from a ruptured 22 inch pipeline located in Cygnet, Ohio. The pipeline ruptured in a farm field, cause unknown, located north of the intersections of Rock Ridge Road and Tank Farm Road. The oil then migrated through field drainage tiles and entered the Rocky Ford River which is tributary to the Middle Branch of the Portage River. The released oil has migrated approximately 9 miles downstream through agricultural and residential areas and has impacted the Rocky Ford River and Middle Branch of Portage River. The City of Cygnet drinking water well field is located in close proximity to the impacted areas of the Rocky Ford River.

On February 18, 2009, Mid Valley Pipeline mobilized multiple contrators to respond to a crude oil release of an estimated 200-600 barrels of oil. The primary objectives were to identify, contain and recover the released crude oil from soils in the farm field and the Rock Forge and Portage River.  

PRP contractors deployed skirted boom at twelve locations on the Rocky Ford and Portage Rivers to contain and collect oil. Air monitoring for hydrogen sulfide, lower explosive limit and volatile organic carbons has been conducted. No elevated readings have been recorded. Only one drinking water intake is located downstream and the facility has been notified and protective booming has been put in place.

Water samples have been collected from the Cygnet Water Well field and results are due back on February 20, 2009.

All recovered material from the waterways is being transferred to portable storage tanks.

The nearest shutdown point for the pipeline was located approximately 10-12 miles south of the release point.  The pipeline was blocked and the residual product was recovered from the pipeline via vac trucks.

-- USEPA, USCG and Ohio EPA will continue to conduct oversight of cleanup activiites.

-- Stop the ongoing release to the Rocky Ford River.

-- Contain the spilled material and recover the product from the waterways.

-- Clean-up of the River Banks.

-- Continue excavation of the impacted soils in the source location.

-- Habitat and wildlife evaluations.

-- Repair of the damaged pipeline.

-- A private contractor hired by the PRP wil be performing SCAT assessments of the shoreline and affected wildlife.

-- Fast moving water (approximately 5 miles per hour) is hindering containment efforts.  Additional booming is in place in case primary booming fails.

-- The City of Cygnet's water well is located in close proximity to the contaminated river.   The PRP has collected samples from the well and is awaiting results.

-- Crude oil odors are detected in the areas surrounding the spill.  The PRP continues to provide air monitoring throughout the area.