U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
McDavid (Q60127) Train Derailment - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV
Subject: POLREP #1
Emergency Response - Derailment
McDavid (Q60127) Train Derailment
B41E
McDavid, FL
Latitude: 30.3238000 Longitude: -87.7858810

To:
From: Chris Russell, On-Scene Coordinator
Date: 1/31/2014
Reporting Period: 1/28/2014 - 1/30/2014

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: B41E    Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:  
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Emergency
Response Lead: PRP    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 1/29/2014    Start Date: 1/28/2014
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification: 1/28/2014
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Emergency Response, train derailment involving hazardous materials.

1.1.2 Site Description

The derailment occurred adjacent to Fletcher Creek involving a CSX rail-line in McDavid, Florida.

1.1.2.1 Location

Several homes and businesses are nearby the derailment.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
At approximately 2040 on January 28, 2014, twenty-three railcars, including tank cars containing phosphoric acid derailed in and around Fletcher Creek. Homes in the immediate area were temporarily evacuated.  Response to the incident was hampered by severe weather, including ice and snow covered area roads.  

FL DEP responders were dispatched on 1/28/2014.  EPA On-Scene Coordinator Francendese was dispatched and able to make it on-site by 1/29/2014.  
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
 
Four railcars with ninety-six percent concentration phosphoric acid were derailed into Fletcher Creek. At least one tank car has leaked. Each railcar contains approximately twelve gallons. The EPA OSC has entered into a unified command with CSX and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). 

The Unified Command identified the following Incident Objectives:

 Safety of personnel and surrounding community

 Manage coordinated response effort

 Keep stakeholders informed of response activities

 Non-hazardous commodity rail car removal

 Hazardous commodity rail car removal

 Environmental mitigation and restoration

 Railroad service restoration

By 2100, 1/30/2014 the following actions were completed or are still ongoing.

Non-Hazardous Commodity Rail Car Removal

 West side access road completion (100%)

 West side staging pads completion (100%)

 East side access road completion (100%)

 East side staging pad completion (100%)

 Move non-hazardous cars to staging pads (13 of 19 non-haz cars staged) (60%)

Hazardous Commodity Rail Car Removal

 West side access road completion (100%)

 West side staging pads completion (100%)

 East side access road completion (100%)

 East side staging pad completion (100%)

 Perform tank car damage assessment (100%)

Railroad Service Restoration

 Unload 2 semi-trucks worth of track panels (100%)

 Ensure W95029 is in place for staging panel track (100%)

 Set track panels from north end to bridge (100%)

Environmental Mitigation and Restoration

 Initiate neutralization of surface water (100%)

 Deliverable submitted for surface water quality monitoring results (100%)

 Deliverable submitted for watershed analysis (100%)

 

 Deliverable submitted for proposed barrier/filtration locations (100%)
 Deliverable submitted for well locations (100%)

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

CSX has undertaken response operations and has contracted with hazardous materials response contractors, environmental consultants and re-railment contractors.
 
2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
           
           
           


  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

During the next operational period, the Unified Command will focus on removal of the remaining non-hazardous commodities cars, preparation for off-loading of phosphoric acid from the damaged tank cars to tank trucks for off-site shipment and mitigation of released phosphoric acid.

Air and water monitoring will continue during response operations.
 
2.2.1.2 Next Steps

CSX contractors are procuring needed equipment to conduct the phosphoric acid transfer safely.

2.2.2 Issues

Work continues on building an access road for tank trucks to the derailment site.  Off-loading cannot proceed until completion of the access road.
  2.3 Logistics Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer

CSX has provided assistant safety officers.  USCG-GST is on-site assisting with Site safety and contractor monitoring.

2.5.2 Liaison Officer
United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) personnel are assisting with environmental and public health issues.

2.5.3 Information Officer
FL DEP, EPA and CSX have issued a joint public statement providing information on the on-going response.
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command

FL DEP, EPA, CSX

3.2 Cooperating Agencies
USFWS
FL DOH
Escambia County
4. Personnel On Site
 

EPA - 2
FLDEP - 2
USCG GST - 4

CSXT

Transportation Staff: 2

Mechanical Staff: 2

HazMat Staff: 5

RJ Corman

Railcar Recovery Staff: 16

ARCADIS

Environmental Staff: 11

CTEH

H&S / IH Staff: 2

EnviroScience

Ecological Staff: 3

SWS

H&S / IH Staff: 2

Response Staff: 12

USES

Response Staff: 12

 
5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.
6. Additional sources of information
  No information available at this time.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.