U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Cut Bank Oil Discharge - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VIII
Subject: POLREP #1
Initial/Final
Cut Bank Oil Discharge

Cut Bank, MT
Latitude: 48.6390380 Longitude: -112.5068550

To:
From: Curtis Kimbel, On-Scene Coordinator
Date: 3/27/2014
Reporting Period: 11/2/2013 to 3/27/2014

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number:      Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:  
Response Authority: OPA    Response Type: PRP Oversight
Response Lead: PRP    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 11/7/2013    Start Date: 11/7/2013
Demob Date:      Completion Date: 3/27/2014
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#: E14801    Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Emergency Response

1.1.2 Site Description

The Two Medicine Irrigation Canal is a small canal, approximately 20 feet wide, that runs through Blackfeet Reservation property to its confluence with Cut Bank Creek, approximately five miles downstream of the illegal dumping site. Gunsight Road traverses the canal via a small wooden bridge. The area is quite remote with only a couple of buildings visible off in the distance.

Much of the canal was dry at the time though there were areas of pooling that were approximately 12 inches deep. Water was not flowing at the time of the dumping. Crude oil was visible in the canal for about 50 yards above and below the bridge, which appeared to be the where the oil was illegally dumped. Ice was forming on the water at the time and temperatures were at or below freezing.

1.1.2.1 Location

Latitude: 48.6390380
Longitude: -112.5068550

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Approximately 50 yards of the canal was contaminated with crude oil. The canal was not flowing at the time, but with spring runoff the canal will flow into Cut Bank Creek, approximately five miles downstream.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Upon arrival at the site, OSC Kimbel was briefed by several members of the Blackfeet Environmental Office and told that the only oil related work actively ongoing in the area of the spill was at the Newfield Exploration Sheriff well 1-11H. The well was being shut in and a site inspection of the well site revealed considerable current activity and several fresh pools of crude oil on the ground, measuring approximately two feet wide by 20 feet long by three inches deep.

Blackfeet Environmental personnel took samples of the oil on the ground at the well site that later matched the oil found illegally dumped in the canal. A vacuum truck had been observed working at the well site and Blackfeet Environmental personnel believed the vacuum truck was the source of the illegally dumped oil. The dump site was located on a small road less than three miles from the well site.
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Several Blackfeet Reservation personnel together with OSC Kimbel and a representative from EPA R8 Montana Office Criminal Investigation Division (CID) contacted Newfield Exploration to inform them that an illegal dumping had occurred, and they may be the responsible party. At the time, results from samples taken at the well site and from the illegal dumping area had not been obtained.

Newfield agreed to take responsibility for cleaning up the spill and hired a contractor to mobilize to the site. While waiting for the cleanup contractor to arrive, the Blackfeet Environmental Office brought a track hoe to the site and built dams upstream and downstream of the contaminated area to ensure material could not spread if rain were to create additional runoff. The Newfield contractor arrived and cleaned up the site to the satisfaction of the Blackfeet Environmental Office, which oversaw the cleanup activities.
 
Due to the severity of the weather at the time of the initial site inspection, it was determined that an additional assessment would be required after the snow and ice had melted and the site was more accessible. 

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

R8 EPA Montana Office CID personnel was planning to interview several parties thought to be involved in the illegal dumping. Newfield Exploration is the responsible party.

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

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

No further federal action is anticipated at the site.

2.2.2 Issues
  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
    No information available at this time.
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command

Blackfeet Environmental Office
US EPA R8 Emergency Response Program
US EPA R8 Montana Office Criminal Investigation Program
Newfield Exploration

3.2 Cooperating Agencies
4. Personnel On Site
  Blackfeet Environmental Office: 6
US EPA R8 Emergency Response Program:1
US EPA R8 Montana Office Criminal Investigation Program:1
Newfield Exploration:4
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.