1.1.1 Incident Category

This is a Clean Water Act (CWA), Oil Pollution Act (OPA) Emergency Response. A discharge of approximately 330 bbls of crude oil occurred from a pipeline break in Magee, Mississippi. 

1.1.2 Site Description

The National Response Center (NRC) was notified at approximately 1400 on February 16, 2016 by Witt OBrien's, on behalf of Genesis Energy LP, that a crude oil discharge had occurred in Magee, Mississippi (MS). The crude oil discharged from an eight inch pipeline that was damaged by a fallen tree. The discharge occurred when the river was at flood stage. The initial quantity was unknown. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), conducted an immediate recon and estimated that, at a minimum, 50 barrels of crude oil had discharged into US waters. Specifically, into the Okatoma Creek which is a tributary of the Bouie River. The source is located approximately 1.1 miles from the creek. MDEQ requested support from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday evening at approximately 1930 local time. 

The pipeline discharge has been secured. A Unified Command (UC) has been established and is comprised of the Responsible Party (RP), Genesis Energy, an EPA Federal on Scene Coordinator (FOSC), the MDEQ SOSC and the Simpson County EMA director. 

1.1.2.1 Location

Magee, MS

Latitude: 31.8691667
Longitude: 89.6783333 

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Discharge of crude oil to waters of the U.S.  

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Initially reported as a minimum 50 bbl discharge has been upgraded to a 330+ bbl discharge.  At the request of MDEQ, the EPA OSC is ensuring/directing the response under a Unified Command that includes the RP, State representation and County EMA. 

The following represents a concise summary of actions to date. For additional information please see link below for documents. 

Link to addtl response documents 

2.1.1 Response Actions to Date

2/22

• Significant rainfall caused river levels to rise. Focus remains on maintaining the underflow dam and pumps at the containment pond in Division B.  Recovery of free product at collection point and the removal of contaminated debris continues.

• Saturated oil fencing replaced. Recovery of bulk oil continued at excavation site by vacuum truck. 

• Two additional 6" pumps mobilized to the underflow dam to maintain the potential overflow of the containment pond. 

• In preparation for heavy weather event crews reinforced and extended hard containment boom across four key areas; the ditch leading to Okatoma Creek, Saratoga, Cotes Rd and Cherry Point.  

• Suspended operations twice during daylight hours due to observed lightening.

• NOAA SSC on site to provide feedback

• Night crews reinforced to maintain Division B containment pond pump operations

 2/23

• All non essential personnel released at noon due to threat of severe weather. Remaining essential personnel monitoring pumps and vac truck operations. 

• Monitored weather for tornado watch warning. 

• Signed PFRA with MSDEQ for the Magee Pipeline Spill (E16418)

2/24

• SCAT teams resurveyed Divisions A, B, C, D and parts of E to gauge impact from severe weather. Documented downstream trace pathway and provided distance from spill to creek to river.

• Simpson County Press Article incorrectly reflected the Unified Command makeup

• Resumed excavation at discharge site to include preparations to install a french drain in a recovery trench.

• Greg Harper, EPA FOSC relieved by Perry Gaughn, EPA FOSC

• Divisions C, D and F ready to be placed in O&M
• Waste Management Plan submitted

2/25

• Access agreement signed
• Finished placing french drain in a recovery trench in Division A.  
• O&M plan finalized
• Finished the removal of oiled debris in Division E.

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

Genesis Energy LP is the potentially responsible party. 

2.2.1 Planned Response Activities

Please see the document section for IAPs concerning future planned actions. 

2.2.2 Issues

The french drain construction for the pipeline break impact site is taking longer than anticipated.The extensive excavation has removed so much soil from the pipeline break site that backfill was placed  to help with the stability in the creek bed to allow for french drain and recovery trench to be placement. 

3.1 Unified Command

See IAP organizational chart

US Fisn and Wildlife conducted a preliminary assessment on Friday Feb 26th.